Increase Sperm Count: Expert Advice on Male Infertility from Dietician Priyanka | Bite And Diet

 

Generally it’s female to be blamed if a couple is unable to conceive even after one year of unprotected and frequent sex, but in 50% of cases its male who is also a contributing factor. The most important factor that leads to Male Infertility includes abnormal sperm count, sperm motility and morphology.

Semen Analysis

Semen sample is examined within an hour of collection. According to WHO the lower reference limit for semen analysis are:-

PH	7.2
Ejaculating volume	1.5mL (1.5 – 5 ml)
Sperm concentration	15 million per mL (12 – 16) [Usual normal value is > 20 million per mL.]
Total sperm count	39 million per ejaculate (33 – 46 million)
Sperm Morphology (normal) forms	> 4% [Usual normal value > 30%]
Motility	40% (38 – 42%) [Usual normal value is 60%]
Vitality	58% live (55 – 63%)
Progressive motility	32% (31 – 34%)
Total motility	> 40% [Usual normal value is > 60%]

Some of the most common medications that leads to male infertility -

1.     Medicines to treat depression - Study show that Anti depression medicines especially serotonin reuptake inhibitors are responsible for male infertility.

2.     Medicines to treat hypertension or heart disease – Calcium channel blockers are generally used to treat hypertension or heart disease which has been shown to reduce sperm motility.

3.     Antibiotics – Although we don’t have much data on large number of medicines, some of the antibiotic medicines like tetracycline have harmful effect on semen quality.

Diet that leads to male infertility, important factor –

1.     High intake of sugar, sweet drinks and sweets

2.     High intake of red and processed meat

3.     High intake of junk food

4.     High intake of caffeine which is present in tea and coffee

5.     High intake of phytoestrogen which is present in soya – Here point to be noted that most of the protein supplements contains high amount of soya which can lead to reduction in testosterone hormones that leads to male infertility.

Other factors that leads to male infertility –

1.     Obesity  which is one of the leading cause of male infertility

2.     Smoking and alcohol – Regular consumption of both cigarette and alcohol have adverse effect on semen quality.

Diet and Lifestyle to support male fertility -

All the factors mentioned above are reversible with healthy diet and lifestyle modification program. Weight loss is recommended for those who are overweight or obese. Lifestyle diseases like Diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and depression can be easily managed with Medical Nutrition Therapy without any side effects.

 A healthy and nutrient rich diet can provide almost all the nutrients needed for the formation of healthy sperm.  Studies have found that diet which is rich in zinc, selenium, calcium, magnesium, omega 3 fatty acid, proteins and antioxidants like Co Q10, Carnitine, Lycopene, Vitamin E,  Vitamin C and probiotics have positive effect of semen quality. Food that are rich in these nutrients include - 

Food items	Nutrients
Fish oil	Omega 3, Vitamin A and Vitamin D
Citrus fruits like Amla, guava etc	Vitamin c
Sunflower seeds and Almonds	Vitamin E
Whole cereals like oats, Barley etc	Fiber, zinc and magnesium
Low fat curd	Protein, calcium and probiotics
Sprouts	Protein and fiber

 

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