Most men would freely admit that, at the point of ejaculation, their nutritional requirements do not sit so high on their list of priorities. However, the biological purpose of the ejaculate yields some clues to why it contains a number of essential nutrients. Robin Baker, author of the interestingly-titled "Sperm Wars," notes that the average ejaculation releases around 300 million viable sperm cells; these cells need certain nutrients to sustain their assault on the end prize, the ovum. It figures that the more you ejaculate, the higher your requirement for these particular vitamins and minerals.
Zinc
Zinc plays an important role all over the body and makes an essential part of more than 80 enzymes. Dr. Michael Colgan, the New-Zealand born nutritionist and the author of the "Sports Nutrition Guide," reports that zinc remains crucial for hormonal balance, cellular repair, immune system function and libido. He estimates that around one microgram of zinc leaves the body per ejaculation and explains that because only the body only absorbs 20 percent of dietary zinc the requirements for zinc increase by approximately 5 mg after each ejaculation.
Inositol
Inositol stands out as one of the most richly concentrated nutrients in seminal fluid. Thadeus Mann, a nutritional researcher and the author of "The Biochemistry of Semen," reports that inositol remains a common factor in the ejaculate of many mammals. As an honorary member of the B vitamin family, inositol plays an important role in the health of cellular membranes as a component of the phospholipid layer. It also helps convert fat into energy.
Glutathione
Glutathione plays an important role as an antioxidant at every cell. The seminal fluid that surrounds the spermatozoa represents a fairly rich source of the nutrient, which helps to protect the these small cells from damage from free radicals. Alluricious notes the presence of glutathione in human semen, making its replenishment important to maintain the functions of the key nutrient, which also includes the detoxification of heavy metals and other toxins.
References
- "Sperm Wars"; Robin Baker; 2005.
- "Sports Nutrition Guide"; Dr Michael Colgan; 2002.
- Mann, T (1954). The Biochemistry of Semen. London: Methuen & Co; New York: John Wiley & Sons
- Allucurious: Semen and its Nutritional Value
