Fertility Supplements and Vitamins For Men – Does it Improve the Sperm Quality

In fertility supplements, which can be in the form of pills, powder, and so forth, such nutrients are present. As a result, the quality, quantity, and motility of sperms increase.

Why Are Fertility Supplements and Vitamins Important For Men?

Fertility supplements and vitamins are helpful for men in many ways. Here are some reasons why fertility supplements and vitamins are important for male reproductive health.

1. Improved Sperm Quality

Fertility supplements and vitamins for men ensure that you are getting a rich supplier of key nutrients such as Vitamin C, E, zinc, Selenium, and antioxidants like coenzyme Q10 and lycopene. These nutrients can help protect sperm from oxidative damage, improve sperm motility and morphology, and increase overall sperm count.

2. Nutritional Deficiencies Addresses

An unhealthy diet, a busy lifestyle, health factors, and many other reasons can contribute to nutrient deficiencies. Fertility supplements promote the healthy production and function of sperm. For example, Zinc is a very vital mineral for a man’s reproductive health. You might have heard that men with low testosterone levels have low sperm counts.

The inadequacy of Zinc is one of the reasons for this problem. Many workers work in the back end to make a product. Consider the product to be testosterone and zinc as one of the most important workers.

3. Can be Clubbed With Other Fertility Treatments

Taking fertility supplements regularly is like feeding your sperm a balanced diet. Therefore, IVF (In vitro fertilization) and IUI (Intrauterine insemination) support the use of these supplements and vitamins. The chances of conceiving a baby increase when you combine these fertility supplements with the treatments.

[Read : Basics Of IUI and IVF (Assisted Reproduction Techniques)]

How Do Fertility Supplements and Vitamins Affect Fertility?

Fertility supplements are a combination of many Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other essential nutrients. Below is an explanation of how each of these nutrients benefit male fertility;

1. Enhanced DNA Stability in Sperm Cells

A man’s body creates sperms every day. In fact, the production is so huge that 1,500 sperm cells are made every second. Sperms are produced in the testes from germline stem cells. These are converted into sperm. However, there’s a twist!

Take this example; every time the body produces skin cells, it refers to a huge library of information in your DNA. It passes on this DNA into the skin tissues, so that the skin cells maintain their structure, and function effectively. This is called DNA Synthesis.

The same goes with sperm cells.

In simple words, DNA is like a blueprint of a product. The newborn sperm won’t be healthy without a blueprint. In the absence of folate, DNA synthesis does not happen properly.

2. Better Sperm Motility

What would happen if a swimmer’s skin became inflexible or hard? He or she won’t be able to swim, yes? The case with sperm cells is quite similar. The cell membranes of sperms are created with omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. This makes them flexible, hence, the movement becomes easier while they are in a race to swim and fertilise a female egg.

3. Improved Sperm Morphology

Understand the role of selenium in male fertility as the role of diet in keeping you in good shape and size. The sperms grow and maintain a good form thanks to selenium.

In a study published by the National Library of Medicine, over 690 infertile men were given selenium along with vitamin E. After continuing this for around 100 days, they found a 52% increase in sperm shape, size and motility.

Similar to the beneficial function of the above supplements in improving a man’s fertility, other supplements or nutrients also do their work in different ways.

When to Take Fertility Supplements and Vitamins?

Fertility supplements and vitamins for men should be taken at least 3 months before trying to conceive. That means, if you plan to have unprotected sex on a certain day for conceiving a baby, you should keep consuming fertility supplements for a minimum of 3 months before that day.

This is because the body demands some time to absorb all the rich nutrients that are coming in through supplements. After some time, sperm quality begins to improve.

Best Fertility Vitamins and Supplements For Men

Every supplement and vitamin has its own functionality. You should not take all of them together. Your healthcare provider can provide you with the right combination, timing and dosage of these supplements and vitamins.

1. Folic Acid

Folic acid or folate in a natural form found in your body protects your sperm cells from free radical damage. Consider them as mad bulls and your sperms as pedestrians on a street. Folate protects your sperm from damage.

[Read : Folic Acid- The Friend From Day One]

2. Co Q 10

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is naturally found in your body. As it is popularly known, mitochondria are the ‘powerhouse’ of the cell. This vitamin-like substance provides energy to sperm and is a part of mitochondrial function. Consequently, their mobility and quality drastically get better.

3. Selenium

The sperm cells, to fertilize an egg, require maturity or adequate growth. In this process of maturation, selenoproteins, which are produced from selenium, play a big role. Sperm cells are at high risk of DNA damage due to oxidative stress. Selenium offers protection against this type of damage.

4. Zinc

Zinc and the quality of sperm go hand in hand. Certain enzymes come together to make sperm, and zinc is one of them. Therefore, if zinc is not present in a rich quantity in your diet, its supplementation is necessary.

5. Fish oil

A research study was conducted with 1,679 young men who were given fish oil supplements  Their testes became larger, and the sperm quantity also had gone high.

6. Acetyl L-carnitine

This compound is linked with the movement and quality of sperm. The cells need fatty acids as fuel to function. And this compound helps in the transportation process.

7. Vitamin B6

Also known as pyridoxine, Vitamin B6 plays an important role in male fertility by increasing sperm count and motility, reducing DNA damage in sperm cells, and regulating reproductive hormones.

8. Vitamin B12

This vitamin is water-soluble, which means that your body can’t retain it. You should take it regularly as it’s important in the production of red blood cells. See red blood cells as delivery boys who supply oxygen and nutrients to your body parts, including the testes. Vitamin B 12 is essential for healthy sperm production.

[Read : Does Vitamin B12 Affect Fertility?]

9. Vitamin C

This vitamin produces collagen in the body. Collagen assists the prostate gland to make some of the fluids that form semen. Moreover, the blood vessels which carry oxygen and nutrients can’t form without collagen.

10. Omega Fatty Acids

The sperm cells need healthy membranes to carry on their journey in the female reproductive tract. Omega fatty acids are one of the key ingredients to form this membrane. In addition, based on research done by PubMed Central it can be said that omega fatty acids also ensure improved sperm motility.

11. Royal Jelly

Royal jelly protects sperm cells from free radical damage and promotes healthy testosterone levels – which is linked to Spermatogenesis or sperm production. This nutritious substance is produced by worker bees to feed queen bees. 

Are There Any Side Effects of Fertility Supplements For Men?

The above-mentioned supplements and vitamins do not usually have any side effects if taken in recommended dosages. However, in some cases, it can cause

• Upset stomach
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Hair loss
• Low immunity
• Rash
• Hives

Always consult your doctor before taking any supplements and vitamins to avoid such side effects.

Fertility supplements and vitamins for men are not magic potions. You must not start consuming them without first consulting a doctor. They surely offer an extra boost to your sperms before they hit the race track, but only a doctor can tell you the appropriate way to take them.

FAQ’s

1. What is the First Step For Male Infertility?

If you have been trying to conceive and have not succeeded so far, it is a good idea to visit a fertility specialist. Your doctor with start you with some physical and medical checkups and tests to understand the root cause for the problem.

2. How Successful Are Male Fertility Solutions?

Thanks to modern technology, those who face fertility problems can successfully conceive their own child if they follow treatments like IVF and consider taking supplements, among others.

3. What Color is Healthy Sperm?

Typically, a milky white or greyish semen is a sign of healthy sperm cells. It shouldn’t have any clumps or blood.

Read Also: Diet and Lifestyle Changes When Trying to Conceive