infertility in men

Diet and lifestyle tips for better health Introduction to Chinese medicine and fertility concepts

Chinese medicine uses a holistic approach to health and wellness, viewing disease as a disharmony in the body’s natural balance. To help you participate in your own healing or balancing process, I have written this booklet to explain some of the basic terms Chinese medicine practitioners use to describe health, how the body works, and how they relate to the body. increase your chances of conceiving a healthy child.

Vitamins and Supplements Vitamin supplements are helpful when deficiencies occur. However, some vitamin and mineral supplements can cause toxicity at high doses, so it’s wise to talk to a health care professional before starting a vitamin regimen.

Important Vitamins and Supplements

To increase sperm count

Vitamin C: It is an antioxidant. Helps reduce crowding problems and increases sperm count. It is an especially important vitamin supplement for smokers.

Zinc: helps increase sperm count. However, beware of copper deficiency with long-term use.

Vitamin B-12 and folic acid: are important vitamins, especially in men who smoke or have a diet rich in refined foods.

Coenzyme Q10: Helps increase sperm count and motility by acting as an antioxidant.

Essential Fatty Acids (AGE): It is found in freshwater fish and flax seed oil, among a few sources. Flax seed oil is a great source of the good fatty acids you need for fertility (ALA), especially if you also have dry, flaky skin, dry hair, and varicose veins. A good Omega 3 fish oil is enough; however, look for one that is of good quality and does not contain lead/mercury/heavy metals, as large ocean fish can absorb many metals and toxins into their meat. If it also has Omega 6 added, do not take it since we are already quite far from cooking oils, etc. and too much omega 6 can enhance inflammatory processes.

N-acetyl carnitine: Good for people under stress. It also aids in memory function, fat metabolism, and energy.

tribule: Again, not all supplements are created equal, so it’s always good to go for a good quality one. There are many cheap imitations of tribulus and most are intended for bodybuilding etc. It took me a while to get around to recommending this supplement, however for some men it will be beneficial. Recent research has shown that this has proven to be a very useful herb for sperm morphology, particularly for improving sperm acrosomes and penetrability.

Environment, Toxins and Chemicals There is a great deal of modern research supporting declining sperm counts in young men with increased use and exposure to toxic chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides and pollutants, and heat. Certain chemicals found in plastics can mimic natural human chemicals that cause imbalances and have been linked to infertility in men and women. Other contaminants include dental amalgam, which can be antagonistic to zinc, lead found in paint, dry cleaning chemicals, and gasoline fumes. Due to the frequent use of fertilizers, pesticides and hormones in common agricultural practice, it is best to eat organic fruits, vegetables and meat. The basic recommendations are: get mercury-free dental fillings, avoid pesticide exposure, use BPA-free plastics, and avoid microwaving food in plastic containers.

Drugs and alcohol Alcohol, in Chinese medical terms, causes heat, which raises body temperature and causes less functional sperm. Animal studies have shown that an intoxicating level of alcohol in the blood reduces fertility by about 50% over a 24-hour period. A glass or 2 a day really won’t hurt unless you’re hot and sweat at night in bed, which is a good pointer to cut back.

The THC in marijuana has been shown to dramatically reduce sperm production and interfere with sperm binding to the egg.

Smoking has been shown in studies to reduce the ability to conceive by 16-20% in men.

Coffee has a warming and stimulating effect on the body and can also be unproductive for the fertile process.

Certain medications, such as painkillers, can have an adverse effect on fertility, so it’s best to check with your GP while trying to conceive.

Water

Water is always a point of contention. Chlorine can lead to vitamin E deficiency in large amounts, and the debate about the need for fluoride continues, as many European countries ban it and stop using it. City water can also contain trace toxins, unwanted minerals and heavy metals, including high levels of copper from rusty pipes that can lead to a deficiency of zinc, essential for sperm development. A good quality water purifier is a simple solution.

antioxidants

What are they and why do I need them?

To keep it simple, think of an avocado. When you cut it and leave it exposed to oxygen it turns brown. This is a form of oxidation, when cells are exposed to oxygen or pollution they ‘oxidize’ and disintegrate. If you put lemon juice on the avocado it will last a bit longer and not turn brown, so the lemon acts as an ‘antioxidant’. So when we eat junk food, don’t exercise, and are exposed to gas every day, the cells in our body oxidize faster.

Here are some foods with the highest “antioxidant” rating:

1. Small red bean (dry), 1/2 cup 11. Strawberry, 1 cup
2. Cranberry, 1 cup 12. Delicious Red Apple, 1
3. Kidney beans (dry), 1/2 cup 13. Granny Smith apple, 1
4. Pinto beans, 1/2 cup 14. Pecan, 1 ounce
5. Cranberry (cultivated), 1 cup 15. Sweet cherry, 1 cup
6. Blueberry, 1 cup (whole) 16. Black plum, 1
7. Artichoke (cooked hearts), 1 cup 17. Russet potatoes, 1 cooked
8. Blackberry, 1 cup 18. Black beans (dry), 1/2 cup
9. Plum, 1/2 cup 19. Plum, 1
10. Raspberry, 1 cup 20. Gala Apple, 1

In shorts Factors that contribute to male infertility:

• Stress: Stress reduces adrenal and natural corticosteroid (CS) levels. This sets off a chain of events that deplete vitamin B5 and 6, vitamin C, magnesium, and zinc. This decrease in natural CS leads to an increase in histamine thus a higher incidence of swelling and heat in the tests.
• Overheating from tests (occupational exposure, hot baths/saunas, tight underwear, hot body build, varicocele) affects sperm quality.
• Genetic factors such as cystic fibrosis and Klinefelters.
• obesity.
• Nutritional deficiencies and poor diet.
• Environmental toxins: phthalates, hydrocarbons, pesticides.
• Heavy metal toxicity: lead, cadmium, arsenic, etc.
• Substance abuse: cocaine, marijuana, etc.
• Tuxedo.
• Exposure to radiation.
• Varicocele: A varicose vein in the scrotum. It is a fairly common problem in infertile men and is definitely worth getting checked out by your GP, IVF specialist or urologist.
• Estrogen analogs: This means things in a man’s diet that are very similar in chemical structure to estrogens (female hormones). BPA plastics are one and possibly too much soy in the diet. This includes soy protein fillers in some foods, as well as soy milk/powder/tofu, etc.

Synchronization

Many people also ask about the appropriate time for intercourse and how often. If you already have a very low sperm count, daily ejaculations can further lower your count. I recommend ejaculating every 3-4 days and more often when your partner is ovulating.

Recent research shows that ejaculating every day for a week increases sperm motility and morphology, however it can decrease count by more than 50%. If your sperm count is good and morphology/motility is the problem, more ejaculation may be beneficial in the short term. In this situation it is recommended to ejaculate every 2-3 days and daily during your partner’s ovulation period. In all situations, it is best to ejaculate at least once a week, as free radical damage to sperm accumulates after this period. This is just a general guide because people ask, however, sex should be fun and loving; non-mechanical and forced. In any case, the female orgasm is probably the most important factor in terms of timing, etc., since there are internal physiological mechanisms that help the passage of sperm in the cervix when orgasm occurs.

Ways to improve my health:

• Stress less: Take time to relax and meditate or walk in the park with fresh air.
• Eat more fresh and healthy foods regularly, especially green leafy vegetables.
• Reduce or stop smoking.
• Stop the use of recreational drugs.
• Cut back on alcohol, especially on the days you’re trying to conceive.
• Wear baggy boxer briefs.
• Avoid or reduce chemical exposure in the workplace.
• Exercise regularly.
• Have a good night and sleep.
• Drink more water, probably purified water is best, and reduce coffee consumption (coffee does not hydrate, it dehydrates because it is a diuretic).
• Increase your essential fatty acids (EFAs): flax oil, fish
• Eat pumpkin seeds: good source of zinc and EFAs
• Don’t eat shit!Poor diet is strongly related to infertility; it may even be your only problem. So cut back on cakes, refined foods, high-sugar foods, and junk food on the go. You’ll feel better, have more energy, lose weight, and increase your chances of having a baby.

But what do I do now?

Watch your diet. Do you have loose stools and swelling? Try to find the foods that are causing the problem and eliminate them. In Chinese medicine, each organ in the body rests and becomes active at different times of the day. Important organs for fertility need to rest at night, especially between 11 pm and 7 am It’s not always practical, but shift work and long nights are eventually detrimental to your overall health and chances of fertility. Try to stress less, practice yoga or meditation. Talk to your GP if you suspect you may have a varicocele and get an ultrasound.

cool your testicles. That means shorter hot showers, no bathing, baggy underpants, no underwear at night, cooler bedding. If you have been diagnosed with a varicocele, recent studies support that cooling the testicles twice daily with an ice pack can greatly improve sperm count and morphology. Take the prescribed herbs to balance your body. Acupuncture is a great way to balance the body and reduce stress. And finally, please don’t put pressure on each other! Trying to conceive can be a very difficult time for couples, but don’t forget to take some time to relax.