Having healthy sperm is important, especially if you're trying to conceive and have a baby. Male fertility depends on the sperm quality and quantity, which both can be affected due to a number of factors, according to the Mayo Clinic. Many vitamins can help keep your sperm healthy.
Zinc
A lack of zinc can cause sperm to clump together, affecting sperm count and motility. Zinc is essential for maintaining the production of testosterone in men, according to the Fertility Factor. For women, zinc encourages the body to use estrogen and progesterone more efficiently. As important as this mineral is, it's vital that men do not take too much. High levels of zinc can result in counterproductive results in trying to conceive. For women, zinc encourages the body to use estrogen According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, good sources of zinc include oysters, red meats and cheese.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is water soluble, which means it's not stored in the body. A lack of vitamin C in the body can lead to sperm clumping together, which is not ideal if you're attempting to conceive. Vitamin C can be very beneficial for men who smoke. The chemicals found in cigarettes eventually make their way into semen, and the antioxidants in vitamin C help neutralize damage from these chemicals. Vitamin C helps women who may be on the fertility medication clomiphene to increase their chances of conceiving. Good sources of vitamin C are found in citrus fruits and juices.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E has been found to aid in conception. When a woman is undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment, the man often receives vitamin E. Taking vitamin E helps increase a couple's chances of IVF in being successful by 10 percent. Vitamin E can be found in a variety of foods such as sunflower seeds, almonds and spinach.
B Vitamins
Vitamin B12 and B6 have been found to be essential in promoting good reproductive health. B6 helps increase the fertility in women; B12 helps men who suffer from low sperm counts. B12 can be found in animal foods such as eggs, pork and beef. B656 can be found in cereal grains, legumes and meat.
