Food and Fertility

by Don
(Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

Don's question...

Hi Suzy,

I understand that many men have a low sperm count. I'm in the process of trying to have a child, but it's not going so well.

I'll be 54 years old in January, and I finally found a woman who would make an ideal mother. She shares my spiritual values, and she's independently wealthy, successful and very charming. She's about 20 years younger than me, and she already has a 12-year-old son. According to her doctor she is fertile, and she understands how to check for all the symptoms of ovulation.

My doctor simply says I have a low sperm count. Is there any nutritional advice you could provide to increase the chances of pregnancy?

Suzy's Answer...

Thanks for your great question, Don!

Although male infertility can be caused by a number of factors not related to what you eat (including being over 35 years of age), there is some good evidence that diets high in saturated fat (those fats that are solid at room temp, found mostly in dairy products, meat and processed foods with hydrogenated oils) can result in a low sperm count. Here are some other diet tips that may improve your chances of conception:

*Eat a healthy diet of whole, unprocessed foods (organic when possible, since pesticides can affect fertility), with an emphasis on fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and healthy omega fats (fish, flax seed, chia seed).

*Keep your weight at a healthy level for your height, and exercise regularly.

*It is almost always better to get your vitamins and minerals from real food, but here are some vitamin supplements that may help:

Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Folic Acid, Zinc and Selenium.

Click here for more information on Vitamins.

Click here for more information on Minerals.

Be sure not to overdo with supplements, though, since too much can be as bad as too little.

*Eat cooked tomato products regularly as a source of lycopene, a phytonutrient that seems to positively affect male fertility.

Click here for more information on phytonutrients.

*Quit smoking and limit or avoid alcohol.

I hope these tips will help you in your goal to become a father, but at the very least, they will help you live longer and feel well!

Eat and be healthy with my warmest regards,

Suzy Staywell

http://www.healthy-eating-support.org

Nutrition page

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Rewards for Eating Healthy

*You will feel better, with better digestion and general well-being.

*You will live longer, at least with regard to health-related mortality.

*You will sleep better.

*You will look better, with healthy skin, hair, eyes, teeth, etc.

*You will have more energy to do the things you love.

*You will require fewer visits to the doctor and dentist.

*Your mood will improve.

*Your sex life will improve (especially if your spouse is eating healthy, too).

*You are less likely to struggle with obesity.

*You will be less likely to develop diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

*If you are already suffering from a disease or disorder, eating healthy will help keep it under control or even reverse it.