Can A Daily Vitamin Improve Men’s Health?

If you are unable to get pregnant for a year or more, then chances are you or your partner may be infertile.

Infertility affects many young and middle aged couples, which may prevent them from becoming pregnant.

In one-third of infertility cases, the man is the one who is infertile.

There are many different causes for infertility in men: irregular testicle development, build-up of reactive oxygen species, low mobility of sperm, irregular growth of veins in the testicles, and a lack of sperm production among others.

It has been shown that lifestyle and diet may contribute to infertility.

Recent studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids may play a role in promoting better fertility by reducing damage caused by reactive oxygen species.

However, a new study published in Fertility and Sterility, could show that micronutrients play a large role in the health or your sperm.

Let me explain…

Micronutrients

It has been shown that dietary supplements and your diet may play a large role in sperm and overall reproductive health.

The authors of this study wanted to investigate whether lifestyle factors (diet and micronutrient intake) could reduce damage to your sperm DNA.

They recruited 80 nonclinical men, who were between the ages of 22 and 80, and were non-smokers and had no record of fertility problems.

They assessed socioeconomic, occupational exposure, medical and reproductive histories, and lifestyle habits by way of a standard questionnaire.

They also assessed daily intake and supplemental intake of micronutrients with a food frequency questionnaire.

Their data showed that men with the high intake of vitamin C, showed a 16% reduction in sperm DNA damage compared to men with the lowest intake.  Similar findings were shown for folate, zinc, and Vitamin E intake.

When they looked at data from older men (>44), they showed that men with the highest intake of Vitamin C, showed a 20% decrease in sperm DNA damage compared to men with the lowest intake.  The results were similar for folate, Vitamin E, and zinc intake as well.

Their data showed something else.

Older men with the highest intake of micronutrients showed levels of sperm DNA damage that was comparable to younger men.

From their work, they concluded that men with higher dietary and supplemented micronutrient intake may produce sperm that has less DNA damage- especially in older men.

Although this work is very exciting in the realm of fertility, it still needs further research to determine how micronutrients protect sperm DNA.  It does show, however, that lifestyle choices (diet) may play a much larger role in fertility and sperm development.

The Right Diet and Fertility

Eating right not only helps you to burn extra fat, reduce weight, and increase muscle mass, but it may also protect your heart, brain, and your reproductive system.

However, eating a well-balanced diet may not be the only key to better health.

Sometimes you need that extra boost, which a multi-vitamin may provide.

Multi-vitamins are designed to supplement a well-balanced diet, filling in the gaps where your nutrition plan may lack.

According with this study, a diet rich in micronutrients (diet or supplement) may result in less damaged sperm DNA, which could improve sperm development and may improve fertility.


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