Men’s health is a prime area that companies will try to make claims of boosting testosterone, increasing libido, elevating vitality and everything in between. Men’s fertility is also an area that is not immune to these claims. Let’s discuss some nutrients with some research backing them for their use in improving men’s fertility
A recent meta-analysis (a type of study that analyzes multiple other studies) of randomized clinical trials sought to determine if men taking specific nutrients would have improvements in sperm quality parameters. A total of 33 articles were included and they analyzed the results for changes in total sperm concentration, sperm count, sperm total and progressive motility and sperm morphology. Some of the key take-aways were:
1. Selenium supplementation showed statistically significant improvement in total sperm concentration, morphology and total motility.
2. Zinc supplementation showed statistically significant improvement in total sperm concentration and total motility.2.
3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids showed statistically significant improvement in total sperm concentration, sperm count, total motility and morphology.
4. CoQ10 showed statistically significant improvement in total sperm concentration, sperm count, total motility and morphology.
5. L-Carnitine showed statistically significant improvement in total and progressive sperm motility and sperm morphology.
The mechanism of action of how each of these nutrients improve male fertility is complex, but taken together they play critical roles in modulating testosterone production/metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, cellular energetics and providing necessary cofactors for healthy sperm production.
PMID: 30462179 ?
