What Food & Vitamins Increase & Improve Semen Quality?

What Food & Vitamins Increase & Improve Semen Quality?
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It is vitally important for a woman to be healthy to conceive and maintain a healthy pregnancy. However, it is equally important for a man to have sustainable good health to ensure that his semen is healthy enough to produce a pregnancy. According to MayoClinic.com, the healthiness of semen depends on the quantity, quality and motility of the sperm. Men can make several proactive dietary adjustments to keep their semen healthy.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the key nutrients when it comes to semen health. Vitamin C has antioxidant properties and can boost the immune system. The National Institutes of Health recommends that men between the ages of 19 and 50 consume 90 mg of vitamin C per day. Some of your vitamin C intake can come from a multivitamin but foods such as oranges, orange juice, red or green bell peppers and other citrus fruits also contain significant amounts of vitamin C.

Vitamin E

Like vitamin C, vitamin E is also an antioxidant and it helps to protect the healthy proteins in the body including those in your semen. Vitamin E is most prevalent in nuts and nut derivatives. NIH recommends that males age 14 and older consume 15 mg of vitamin E each day. Wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds, almonds and peanut butter contain substantial amounts of vitamin E. Vitamin E is also an ingredient in some multivitamins and you can take it as a separate supplement. Consult your physician to determine if supplements like these are appropriate for you.

Fruit

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, recommends consuming fruit daily as a part of a healthy diet. Fruit provides additional vitamins and minerals and a healthy source of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are a natural energy source for your body. Males age 19 and older should consume 2 cups of fruit per day. Find fruits you like and incorporate them into each meal or choose your favorite as a snack.

Vegetables

Vegetables are also important to a balanced diet and provide vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Fiber aids in digestion and can help to keep your cholesterol levels within a healthy range. If you are a man age 19 to 50, aim to eat 3 cups of vegetables per day. Experiment with various cooking methods for vegetables. Salads are fine, but vegetables are very versatile and allow you to add some diversity to your diet.

References

Article reviewed by John Yoset Last updated on: Jul 13, 2011

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