> Health and Disease > Men's Health Issues > fertility

The presence of couples unable to conceive is an increasingly common scenario in my clinic compared to two decades ago. About 15 percent of couples experience conception problems, and this percentage is growing. Infertility is defined as the absence of conception after one year of regular intercourse without the use of any contraceptive. Men are responsible for this problem at least 40 percent of the time. Where modern medicine has developed its own technical solutions for assisting infertile couples in getting pregnant, complementary medicine can also offer its own assistance in increasing male fertility. Before attempting natural remedies, it is important to rule out any underlying treatable medical conditions.

1. Improve sperm count

The average sperm count is between 120 and 350 million per cubic centimeter. A low sperm count is below 40 million per cubic centimeter. Low sperm counts or poor sperm motility may be due to environmental toxins such as chemicals, radiation, drugs, heavy metal exposure, cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol use, street drug use and pollution.

Heat can also reduce sperm production. Hot baths, sitting for long periods of time and tight-fitting underwear that constricts the testes can all elevate temperatures long enough to suppress sperm production.

The anti-ulcer drugs cimetidine and ranitidine have both been reported to decrease sperm count and produce impotence.

2. Reduce chemical exposure

The semen of the average man today has half the sperm, and of poorer quality, than 50 years ago.

This is believed to be caused by exposure to xenoestrogens (PCBs, DDT, dioxin, other pesticides, plastics and industrial pollutants) that mimic the effects of estrogen. You can prevent or minimize the impact of xenoestrogens on your health by doing the following:

• Avoid plastic containers for food storage, plastic bottles, wraps and utensils.
• Use office paper products whitened without chlorine.
• Use only non-bleached coffee filters, paper, napkins and toilet tissue to reduce dioxin exposure.
• Avoid chlorinated tap water, chlorine bleach and other chlorinated products; use hydrogen peroxide as an alternative.
• Eat organic food as much as possible to avoid pesticides and herbicides.
• Avoid synthetic deodorants and cosmetics; use only organic products whenever possible.
• Avoid animal products with a high fat content that contain hormones, especially conventional milk and dairy products, chicken, beef and pork.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
• Avoid fried, charcoal-broiled or barbecued forms of cooking.
• Eat lots of foods high in antioxidants (carotenes, vitamins A, C, E and selenium) such as green leafy vegetables, kale, carrots, citrus, broccoli, cauliflower and yams.

3. Improve diet

Getting plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes can help boost fertility. Also avoid tobacco, refined carbohydrates, coffee, tea, alcohol and foods with artificial additives.

Maintain your ideal weight. Food deprivation in men leads to a loss of sex drive and structural changes to reproductive tissue leading to infertility.

Obesity, on the other hand, can be associated with a low sperm count and impotence, possibly because of higher temperatures caused by excess fat near the testes.

4. Exercise regularly

According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, regular exercise (five times a week for at least 45 minutes) and a healthy diet enhance fertility by keeping body weight at normal levels and relieving stress and anxiety.

Excessive amounts of exercise (marathon running and associated training) can be a cause of infertility because it can lead to amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) in women and a lowered sperm count in men.

If you are not sure what type of exercise is best for you, get yourself a personal trainer. He or she can give you an exercise program to bring your weight and fitness levels into the ideal range.

5. Take nutritional supplements

For men, the most important supplemental nutrients to enhance fertility are vitamin C and zinc. Vitamin C (2,000 to 6,000 milligrams daily) helps prevent sperm from clumping or sticking together, thus improving the chances for fertility.

Zinc supplementation (100 to 200 mg daily) has been shown to increase testosterone levels, sperm count and sperm motility. High zinc sources include oysters, organ meats, lean beef, turkey, lamb, herring, wheat germ, legumes and nuts.

Dr. Zoltan Rona is the best-selling author of several books, including Return to the Joy of Health and Natural Alternatives to Vaccinations (alive Books, 2000). Check out his new Web site at drzoltanrona.com, where more of his articles are available.

Source: alive #248, June 2003