Fertility and Nutrition: Foods and Supplements That May Boost Male Fertility

Infertility in men and women is a common problem nowadays that may be caused by exposure to unhealthy diets and lack of nutrition, along with an underlying harmful lifestyle. However, several remedies exist to overcome these health issues and ensure a happy pregnancy. In the case of infertility, IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) is the prime treatment that helps every infertile couple on their path to parenthood. Moreover, some foods to increase male fertility can also be taken to help increase sperm concentrations and improve sperm motility.

These supplemental foods directly improve the men’s reproductive system and sperm count to enhance the ability to conceive. So, if you are hunting for in-depth knowledge of the men's reproductive system along with foods and supplements that may boost male fertility, then let’s explore through this article.

Factors Influencing Male Fertility

Usually, half of all cases of infertility occur in females due to an unhealthy reproductive system, the rest in males due to sperm disorder, and others by both genders due to common causes. Also, some factors influence male fertility and cause complications in conceiving by their partner, which are listed below.

• Stress in men can reduce hormones such as LH and testosterone, which decrease sperm count. So, it is necessary to manage stress with supplements like vitamins to boost fertility for males to get the expected result.
• Some recreational drugs, such as anabolic steroids and amphetamines, which are taken to improve sex drive, affect sperm quality and decrease male fertility.
• Smoking, alcohol, and other unhealthy lifestyle factors affect male fertility, decrease sperm count, and stop fertilization with an egg.

Related Read:Can stress cause infertility? 

Related Read:Ways to Boost your Fertility and Control Stress

Common Causes Of Male Infertility

The causes of infertility in men are sometimes unknown, as pregnancy issues are mainly seen in females due to an unhealthy reproductive system. However, if a male has any issue with sperm production, then they are recommended with. medicines to improve sperm count. A few reasons why men fail to make their partners pregnant are:

• The blockage of sperm movement in the testicles or the tubes of the reproductive system can cause infertility.
• Avoiding nutritional diets or foods to increase male fertility, such as vitamins, minerals, and other supplements.
• Sexual dysfunction is another underlying cause of infertility in males, as it causes semen abnormalities.
• Environmental factors or lifestyle changes such as excessive smoking, alcohol, not getting enough sleep, or doing exercise and drugs cause male infertility .
• Hormonal problems are another case of male infertility when sperm production is completely absent.
• Genetic abnormalities also affect sperm quality and result in infertility in men.

Importance Of Nutrition In Maintaining Optimal Reproductive Health

A healthy nutrient is an important part of maintaining the reproductive health of males and females. Various fertility boosting foods improve fertility chances in men by enhancing sperm count.

Apart from regular food items, there are supplement vitamins to increase male fertility, such as D, B12, E, and C, that improve the male reproductive system and enhance sperm motility and morphology or shape of the healthy sperm.

Some of the best foods to increase male fertility are Mediterranean-style diets, unsaturated fats like plant oil, nuts, avocados, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, and fish.

Nutrients Essential For Male Fertility

Couples trying to conceive must include foods that increase fertility and enhance reproductive health. Women need every essential nutrient to get pregnant; likewise, men too need particular foods to increase male fertility and fulfill the dream of parenthood naturally. When you are planning to change your diet or add nutritional foods to increase fertility chances, you must look for the following essential nutrients.

1. Zinc

   Zinc is a vital fertility enhancing foods or component that helps increase testosterone levels, synthesize sperm DNA, and promote fertility in males. Some of the foods to improve male fertility that are enriched with zinc components are;

   • Mushrooms
   • Chickpeas
   • Yogurt
   • Lentils
   • Pumpkin Seeds
   • Spinach 
     A lower intake of zinc can lower sperm count and quality and further lead to infertility. So, taking these foods is best to improve the quality and characteristics of sperm. 

2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

   Omega-3 fatty acids are other essential foods to increase male fertility. They are mostly found in fish such as salmon, herring, sardines, nuts, and seeds. Omega-3 fatty acids help to boost sperm count and increase male fertility.

   These foods actively help in improving the health of sperm and further motility and volume. Also, it is available in various supplements to increase male fertility through which they can easily make their partner pregnant. It not only naturally helps your partner in conceiving, but when going through infertility treatment through IVF, these foods help in enhancing fertility chances in males.

3. Antioxidants (Vitamins C & E, Selenium)

   With the availability of various foods to increase male fertility, antioxidant-enriched foods like broccoli, spinach, carrots, beetroot, lettuce, collard green, and kale immensely help to improve male fertility naturally and give other benefits to the mind and body. Also, vitamin C-enriched foods such as citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts help improve sperm count and mobility. 

   In addition, vitamin E-enriched foods like sunflower seeds, almonds, peanuts, and pumpkins effectively help males achieve fertility success. Besides, if the infertility issue does not improve even with a nutritional diet, then medication to increase men's fertility is the best option, and one such is Selenium. The essential mineral or dosage plays an important role in improving the male reproductive system. 

4. Vitamin D

   Vitamin D is another essential nutritional supplement that helps increase fertility in men by enhancing sperm count. It is available in foods such as oily fish, egg yolks, cereals, milk, red meat, liver, and other fortified foods. It naturally increases sperm count and encourages better rates of conception during the IVF process.

The 7 Best Foods To Increase Fertility In Males

1. Oysters
2. Fruits and vegetables
3. Nuts
4. Seeds
5. Pomegranates
6. Fish
7. Whale grains.

Checking testosterone levels and maintaining mental and physical well-being are ways to maintain the intake of these foods to increase male fertility. This useful component is also available in supplements to boost male fertility and improve semen quality when not achieved with vitamin D-enriched foods.

Herbs and Supplements for Male Fertility

Since various foods to increase male fertility are available, herbs, in the same way, act as a fertility booster for men. Herbs such as Ashwagandha, maca root, fenugreek, shilajit, Tongtak Ali, and ginseng help to have a healthy reproductive system. These are the best sources for male fertility enhancement by improving sperm count, increasing mobility, and preventing infections.

Moreover, some supplements help improve male fertility by enhancing sperm motility and sperm count. Supplements like CoQ10, alpha-tocopherol, carnitine, and vitamins D and E effectively reduce sperm DNA damage and have a positive effect on the male reproductive system.

Lifestyle Factors Affecting Male Fertility

There are several foods to increase male fertility, but lifestyle also plays a crucial role in this section. Here are some poor lifestyle factors that may affect the male reproductive process:

• Excessive smoking, alcohol drinking, and use of illicit or recreational drugs can immensely harm sperm motility and count.
• Lack of nutritional foods for fertility booster for men, such as fruits and vegetables, avocados, or other Mediterranean diets, affect fertility in men.
• Obesity and overweight are other lifestyle issues associated with lowered male reproductive potential.
• Also, various psychological stresses such as anxiety, hypertension, and increased cortisol levels disrupt the pituitary glands, which reduces testosterone levels and further leads to infertility.
• The excessive intake of caffeine is another barrier that affects fertility in males and decreases sperm quality, which prolongs the ability to conceive.
• Other factors like prolonged hours of sitting, exposure to radiation, heat, varicocele, and cryptorchidism lead to infertility in males and increased stress.
• Sleep disturbances may have led to reduced male fertility and sperm count.

Tips For Incorporating Fertility-Boosting Foods Into The Diet

With the wide variety of foods to increase male fertility, one must understand the ways of eating them. Proper intake of these foods and supplements immensely helps to increase semen parameters and conceive their partner naturally or within the treatment of infertility like IVF.

Here are some practical ways of incorporating fertility-boosting foods into the diet:-

• You can include complex carbs like starchy veggies, keto, and spinach in the diet with each meal to increase male fertility chance naturally or through IVF treatment.
• You can include healthy fats in the diet to improve the testosterone level and boost sperm count. If eating veggies, use avocado oil to boost flavor, nuts or salads, and nut butter to get overall benefits and boost fertility rates.
• You can include colorful fruits and vegetables daily in the morning to get essential vitamins and minerals for boosting sperm quality and the overall reproductive health of men.
• Another best way to increase male fertility is by including protein in plant-based choices like lentils, legumes, nuts, and seeds that boost the overall male reproductive system.

Conclusion

Infertility is a serious issue that mentally and emotionally affects both men and women. The deficiency of nutrients in a body results in several health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, and infertility. However, there are numerous foods to increase male fertility available that define sperm quality and enhance fertility chances naturally or during IVF treatment . Moreover, with the best foods for male fertility available, it is necessary to include regular exercise, an effective lifestyle, and drinking enough water for effective sperm production and enabling your partner to conceive safely and quickly. Also, avoid smoking, highly processed foods, and alcohol intake as they affect the sperm count and lead to the killing of sperm.