A diagnosis of low sperm count can be a devastating. Many doctors may be quick to direct couples straight to expensive procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) before attempting less invasive methods at increasing sperm count. Cornell University's Center for Male Reproductive Medicine and Microsurgery believes that vitamin supplementation may show signs of effectiveness toward increasing male fertility. In conjunction with a healthy diet, vitamins may improve your chances of conceiving.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C has an important role in the human body as an antioxidant. Commonly found in citrus fruits, broccoli and peppers, the recommended daily intake of vitamin C is 500-1000 mg per day. Vitamin C may increase sperm count and motility, and may also prevent sperm from sticking together. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and is easily excreted in the urine; therefore it should be taken in small amounts throughout the day versus all at once.
Vitamin E
Also an antioxidant, Vitamin E supplementation may help the sperm penetrate the egg, according to the Urology Channel. Vitamin E is found in almonds, eggs, spinach and fortified cereals. The Council for Responsible Nutrition recommends 30 IU or 20 mg per day. Some holistic medicine practitioners may recommend vitamin E at significantly higher doses for male fertility. However, without medical management, this is not recommended as Vitamin E at these high levels may cause bleeding.
Vitamin B12
"B12 supplementation may help men with a sperm count of less than 20 million per milliliter or a motility rate of less than 50 percent," the Urology Channel states. In regards to fertility, Vitamin B12 is needed to make DNA. Vitamin B12 is found solely in animal foods, including eggs, chicken, fish and dairy products. Therefore, vegans who do not properly supplement this vitamin may be deficient. The University of Maryland Medical Center's recommended dose is up to 2.4 mcg/d. It also cautions patients taking prescription medications; these patients should first talk to their doctors before starting B12 supplementation as this vitamin may interfere with some medications.
Zinc
Zinc is classified as a mineral and is essential to the formation of healthy sperm. Zinc is lost in small amounts each time a man ejaculates and must be replenished regularly. Zinc is abundant in foods such as oysters, wheat germ, peanuts, lamb and chocolate. The average, well balanced diet often provides ample amounts of zinc. A physician should closely monitor zinc supplementation, as toxicities at high levels are possible. The recommended dose is 15-30 mg/d.
General Recommendations
When fertility issues exist between a couple, conceiving a child can lead to an enormous amount of stress. It is essential to have a healthy body and mind. Reducing stress with exercise, massage and meditation can be both calming and rewarding.
In the November 2005 issue of the "Indian Journal of Experimental Biology," researchers were unable to definitively conclude that the use of antioxidants such as Vitamins C and E actually improved male fertility. Therefore, remember not to rely solely on vitamin supplements to solve this or any medical condition and never exceed the recommended amounts without first discussing with a doctor.
References
- Cornell University: What's New in Male Fertility Treatment at Cornell
- Renal and Urology News: Antioxidants May Affect Sperm Health
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B12
- "Indian Journal of Experimental Biology"; Mechanism, measurement and prevention of oxidative stress in male reproductive physiology; Ashok Agarwal and Sushil A Prabakaran; November 2005
- Male Fertility: Alternative Treatment
