Can Diet affect Sperm Count and Fertilty
The dietary choices of Men can affect the quality of sperm according to recently published research from America, with diets high in saturated Fats potentially reducing sperm counts and having a negative affect on fertility.
A initial study of nearly 100 men associated the eating of high total fat foods, such as junk foods containing increased amounts of saturated fats with Lower Total Sperm Count whilst those consuming higher amounts of Polyunsaturated Fats, Omega 3 Fatty Acids such that are found in Oily Fish such as Salmon, Trout and Sardines had a sperm concentration that was overall higher and of a better quality that benefited fertility.
The research team from Harvard which was led by Professor Jill Attaman, a Clinical and Research Fellow in Reproductive Endocrinology and
Infertility at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Instructor in
Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology at Harvard Medical
School, warned that this was a small initial study and more work would be needed to replicate the findings before confirmation of this dietary link could be made for certain, however changes in dietary intake related to this study will have wider benefits other than just fertility,
"If men make changes to their diets so as to reduce the amount of saturated fat they eat and increase their omega-3 intake, then this may not only improve their general health, but could improve their reproductive health too"
Investigating the potential link between high dietary fat intake and sperm quality and quantity, the Harvard team found that those men consuming the highest fat intake, mainly saturated fat had 43% lower sperm count, and 38% lower sperm concentration than men consuming the lowest amount of saturated fat, but instead consuming the more Polyunsaturated fats, Omega 3 fatty acids.
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| Essential Omega 3 Fats important for fertility health |
Those consuming more Omega 3 fatty acids had a higher sperm concentration with a more normal structure than those men getting the lowest amount of Omega 3's in their diet.
Men consuming the most saturated fats had a 35% lower total sperm count
than men eating the least, and a 38% lower sperm concentration, with Preofessor Attaman considering the wider implications for general health,
"The magnitude of the association is quite dramatic and provides further support for the health efforts to limit consumption of saturated fat given their relation with other health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease,"
It was noted that within the study, 71% of the men were overweight or obese and that this and the potential health implications of this may also affect sperm amount and quality. The team recognised that this being the first study of it's kind, looking at dietary fats and sperm/Semen, things such as weight issues and underlying health issues as well as the collection method of data possibly not reflecting the men's actual diet, further larger studies would be necessary and important, because as they note, it's not they are highlighting a specific cause for poor fertility in men, but that an association does exist and demands greater research.
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| Getting diet and Lifestyle right can be vitally important for fertility Success |
Previous studies in relation to diet and male fertility have centred on areas such as male obesity affecting fertility, where the higher the Body mass Index (BMI) the lower the quantity and quality of sperm that can cause problems and where researchers highlighted the importance of such a study for men and general health:
"Adopting a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet, and regular exercise will, in the vast majority of cases, lead to a normal BMI. We are pleased to be able to add improved semen quality to the long list of benefits that we know are the result of an optimal body weight."
Other study areas have looked at Soy Foods comsumption being associated with lower sperm concentrations in men, where a half serving of soy foods per day was enough to affect sperm negatively. Soy contains Phytoestrogens, plant compounds that can behave like the hormone Oestrogen, which may affect production of sperm by interfering with other hormonal signals, an issue that was compounded more in those who were overweight or regarded as Obese, as larger men produce more Oestrogen, and along with that from the soy, the overall affect is to increase oestrogen in the body and the reproductive organs, thus affecting fertility.
Part 2: Nutrition and Male Fertility Coming up!
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