Foods that Improve Male Fertility – Awesome Ways to Boost your Fertility
As we look at foods that improve male fertility let’s first look at the factors that lead to male infertility. The problem of male infertility is common and it is estimated that twenty percent -20% of men experience the problem at one point in their life. So one may ask how can I tell if I have low sperm count. Low sperm count is when there are less than 15 million sperms per milliliter of semen
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Factors that may lead to infertility in men
Production of sperm involves an intricate process that needs proper functioning of the testicle, hypothalamus and pituitary glands. Pituitary gland is found in the brain and it releases a hormone that activates sperm production. Factors that lead to low sperm count can be classified into medical factors, environmental and lifestyles.
Medical causes
Medical factors leading to infertility in men include
1. Infection – Sperm production and quality may be affected by certain infections like HIV and gonorrhea. Such infections may also block the sperms passage hence causing infertility.
2. Backward ejaculation. Backward ejaculation is when semen moves in the bladder instead of the penis. It can be caused by spinal damage, diabetes, surgeries of bladder, prostate or urethra.
3. Sperm attack by antibodies –It happens when some antibodies attempt to destroy the sperms after ill identifying them as harmful
4. Undescended testicles – When growing in the womb a male fetus testicle should drop down from the abdomen. However, in some cases it does not happen. This condition may lead to infertility.
5. Varicocele – It is a swelling or a bulge of the veins that empty the testicle. Varicocele can be corrected
6. Hormone imbalances.
7. Genetics/Chromosome defects – Genetic disorders such as Klinefelter’s syndrome and Kallmann’s syndrome.
8. Some medications – Long exposure to certain medicines can cause infertility. This includes treatment such testosterone therapy, long use of anabolic steroid use, chemotherapy, some antifungal and antibiotic medications and some ulcer medications.
9. Growths. Cancerous growths may affect the male organs hence affecting semen production, hinder release of hormones by the pituitary gland or they may block the passage used
Environmental causes
Environmental factors leading to infertility in men include:
1. Exposure to industrial chemicals. Longtime exposure to some industrial chemicals can be harmful and as they affect the other parts of the body they can also lead to low sperm count. Some of these industrial chemicals include benzenes, organic solvents, xylene, lead, and toluene. Other chemicals found in pesticides, paints, herbicides, may also cause infertility if one is exposed for a long time.
2. Heavy metal exposure such as lead, mercury, chromium.
3. Exposure to radiation or X-rays.
4. High temperature – Scrotum shouldn’t be exposed to excessive heat for long as it may impair the sperms.
Lifestyle, health and other causes
Additional leading of low sperm count or infertility include:
1. Drug abuse use -drug abuse such as cocaine and marijuana may reduce the amount of sperms
2. Alcohol abuse and tobacco smoking – Alcohol abuse and tobacco smoking may reduce the level of testosterone in the body hence hindering production of sperms
3. Stress – Severe or prolonged stress may interfere with the hormones that control fertility.
4. Weight – Obesity may cause hormonal changes that lower male fertility.
Male infertility can be corrected by surgeries, medical treatment or change in lifestyles. Below we shall focus on how to improve/boost male fertility by improving on the diet.
These are foods that can improve male fertility
Below are some of the foods that increase male fertility.
Tomatoes
As common as it is, tomatoes can actually help a man having fertility problems. Studies have shown that lycopene mostly found in tomatoes can actually improve male fertility by 60-70 percent. Lycopene usually improve the sperm’s swimming ability and quality. To benefit and get more lycopene from tomatoes it is better take cooked tomatoes or the ones that are processed.
Nuts
Nuts are among the foods known to improve male fertility. A study by University of California indicated that there was a direct relationship between consumption unsaturated fats richly found in nuts and the increase in sperm quality. Nuts contain amino acids known for improving sperms production. They also contain minerals like zinc which improves sperm count. A daily consumption of around 75-85g of nuts can overlay improve sperms vitality, mobility and quality in terms of size and shape.
Pumpkin Seeds
One of the secrets of pumpkins seeds that enable it to improve male fertility is that it contains zinc. Zinc improves the development of sperms by assisting in testosterone production. For good results it is advisable to take raw seeds. Since the taste can be unpleasant they can be taken with salad.
Lentils
One the food with adequate with natural folic acid is the lentils. The folate improves the quality of sperms
Blueberries
The main reason why blueberries are able to improve male fertility is because they have anti-inflammatory antioxidants. Oxidants are known to be a cause of some male infertility. The antioxidants in blue berries are able to fight these oxidants and as result they improve sperms quality.
Pomegranate
Pomegranate juice is rich in antioxidants which can fight oxidants which lower the quality sperms.
Some cases of male infertility can be corrected if the necessary measures can be taken. Other thing that should be avoided for better results in fertility includes too much diet drinks, caffeine, alcohol and cigarette smoking. Low fertility is also common for people who abuse drugs like cocaine, heroin, marijuana etc.