Male Fertility rates have dropped dramatically over the last 100 years and one of the main factors has been changes in our diets.

Here we will look at diet and lifestyle changes that can be made to increase male fertility, as well as 11 natural supplements for male reproductive health.

Male infertility there is no single cause

There is no single cause for the drop in male fertility rates. Likely causes include a combination of the following: Diet, environmental and lifestyle changes.

Three quick lifestyle changes to increase male fertility

You may know this already, but here are three major causes of male infertility, which should be cut or even better stopped completely.

Avoid or cut alcohol consumption

Medical evidence has linked alcohol consumption with defective sperm.

Don't smoke.

Medical evidence has shown there is a link between smoking and low sperm count.

Recreational drugs

There is not enough room here to go into the affect of all the recreational drugs on sperm count and male fertility, but there is medical evidence linking a number of them with male infertility.

Male fertility don't see it in isolation

Male fertility does not exist on its own, its part of our overall body functions and what you put into your body affects how efficiently it operates.

Male fertility & Nutrition

Not eating the right diet can have the following impact:

It can impair hormone function, inhibit sperm production, and produce abnormal sperm.

There is no question that our diets have undergone dramatic changes in the last 100 years and these have affected male fertility rates and seen a dramatic rise in male infertility.

Before we look at our top supplements, here are some tips on a diet for increasing male fertility.

Eat Naturally

Eat "naturally from the earth" get plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, poultry, legumes, nuts, brown rice and seeds.

Avoid junk food, processed foot and foods high saturated fat. Water.

Drink plenty of water at least 2 -3 liters a day to flush out any toxins in the body.

Pumpkin seeds

A great food for male fertility, as they contain high levels of zinc and essential fatty acids which are vital to healthy functioning of the male reproductive system.

Supplements

The following supplements can help increase sperm count and mobility. Don't expect overnight results as they will take a few months to become effective.

1. Arginine

This non essential amino acid and is needed to produce healthy sperm. Natural production of arginine declines with age and a supplement here may help older patients

2. Coenzyme Q10

Helps Increase sperm count and motility.

3. L-carnitine

Required for normal sperm function, Carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid and men with healthy sperm in high numbers often have high carnitine levels.

4. Selenium

Selenium is believed to be good for spermmobility.

Nearly 50% of the selenium in a man is in the testes and seminal ducts; men lose selenium in their semen.

5. Zinc

Required for a healthy male reproductive system and sperm production.

Zinc is required for the production of testosterone and zinc content in the prostate gland and sperm is higher than in any other body tissues.

A deficiency of zinc is associated with numerous sexual problems, including sperm abnormalities and prostate disease.

Zinc helps to maintain semen volume and adequate levels of testosterone; keeping sperm healthy.

6. Vitamin B-12

B-12 deficiency reduces sperm motility and sperm count and is one of the most frequent vitamin deficiencies so make sure your intake is adequate.

7. Vitamin E

Helps to improve the overall health of sperm.

Sperm can be damaged by harmful molecules (free radicals). Vitamin E is an antioxidant which helps to reduce the number of free radicals, vitamin C also can be taken for its antioxidant qualities

8. Omega fatty acids

Omega 3 fatty acids (found in oily fish and flaxseed oils) and omega-6 fatty acids ( evening primrose and starflower oils) can help improve the sperm membrane fluidity and male fertility.

9. Astragalus

A Chinese herb which is now grown in popularity worldwide medical research indicates that Astragalus has a stimulating effect on the production of sperm and also helps to improve sperm motility.

10. Ginseng (Panax ginseng)

Used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years, and popular worldwide to help increase testosterone levels and sperm count and improve the quality of sperm

11. Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)

Saw Palmetto contains a variety of fatty acids, including capric, caprylic, caproic, lauric, palmitic and oleic acid, and their ethyl esters.

Saw Palmetto oil is high in phytosterols (beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, cycloartenol, lupeol, lupenone and 24-methyl-cycloartenol), as well as other oils, resins, and tannin and is seen as an overall body tonic for men and is believed to help male fertility rates.

Male fertility rates are affected by a number of factors however having the right diet can and does help in the production of healthy sperm and should be a consideration for all men seeking a family.

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