Tori Hudson, N.D.
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 It seems that the higher the levels of L-carnitine in sperm cells, the higher the sperm count and the more motile the sperm. L-carnitine given as a supplement helped to increase the sperm count and the number of normal sperm after four months.63
L-Carnitine
3,000 mg daily
B12. A deficiency of B12 leads to reduced sperm counts and reduced sperm mobility. In men who had sperm counts under 20 million/ml, 1,000 meg of vitamin Bi2 per day led to an increase to 100 million/ml. |
by Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.
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| The critical determinant appears to be the level of the sperm count. If the sperm count is less than 20 million per milliliter, arginine supplementation is less likely to be of benefit.
In order to be effective for increased fertility, it appears that the dosage of l-arginine should be at least 4 grams a day for three months. In perhaps the most favorable study, 74 percent of 178 men with low sperm counts had significant improvements in sperm counts and motility. |
James F. Balch, M.D. and Mark Stengler, N.D.
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 Vitamin B12 has been shown to increase sperm count. Men should take 1,500 meg of oral B12 or 400 meg of the sublingual form daily. n a study, 1 78 men with low sperm counts or abnormal sperm function were given 4,000 mg of L-arginine daily for at least 2 months. As a result, 62 percent of the men had a marked increase in sperm motility and count, and 28 pregnancies occurred. Researchers also noted that men with very low initial sperm counts, of less than 20 million per ml, did not have as beneficial a response as men with higher counts did. |
Jonathan V. Wright, M.D. and Alan R. Gaby, M.D.
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 Improvement was seen in 37 men (79%)—with the average sperm count increasing from 88 million to 159 million per ml and the average number of motile sperms increasing from 26.8 million to 53.5 million per ml."
Zinc
This essential trace mineral also plays a role in sperm production and function. In one study, 11 infertile men with low sperm counts and low concentrations of zinc in their semen were treated with 55 mg of zinc per day for 6 to 12 months. During zinc treatment, there were significant increases in both sperm count and motility, and 3 pregnancies occurred. |
by Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.
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| If the sperm count is less than 20 million per milliliter, arginine supplementation is less likely to be of benefit.
In order to be effective for increased fertility, it appears that the dosage of l-arginine should be at least 4 grams a day for three months. In perhaps the most favorable study, 74 percent of 178 men with low sperm counts had significant improvements in sperm counts and motility. |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
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| Vitamin C deficiency has been linked with significant decreases in sperm count, motility, and vitality and with an increase in morphologically abnormal sperm.60 Vitamin E and selenium have been shown to reduce lipid peroxidation and, therefore, improve sperm quality. One study looked at men who had normal sperm counts, but low rates of fertilization during in vitro fertilization treatments. After one month of daily vitamin E supplementation, the fertilization rates increased from 19 percent to 29 percent, suggesting that the antioxidant effects of vitamin E may make the sperm more fertile. |
Jonathan V. Wright, M.D. and Alan R. Gaby, M.D.
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| A marked increase in sperm count and motility was achieved in 62% of the patients, and 28 pregnancies resulted. Men with extremely low initial sperm counts (less than 20 million per ml) did not respond as well as did men with higher counts.7 Foods high in L-arginine include nuts, seeds, cereal grains, and peas.
Vitamin C
In some men, infertility results from a tendency of sperm cells to agglutinate (clump together). Although the cause of sperm agglutination is not known, men with this abnormality do have subnormal blood levels of vitamin C. |
Herbert Ross, DC with Keri Brenner, L.Ac.
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 According to some researchers, environmental estrogens may contribute to testicular cancer, urinary tract disorders, and low sperm count. In men, a high level of estrogen slows down the production of testosterone.19 Exposure to lead, mercury, cadmium, and other heavy metals also inhibits testosterone production.20
Men's hormone levels can be adversely affected by certain lifestyle choices. Smoking, in particular, may be a factor in reduced production of testosterone. |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
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| These toxic exposures may affect sperm count, sperm
Caffeine Content
Item
Caffeine (mg)
Coffee, brewed (8 oz)
60-120
Coffee, instant (8 oz)
70
Coffee, decaffeinated (8 oz)
2-5
Double espresso (2 oz)
45-100
Tea, black, 5-minute steep (8 oz)
60-100
Tea, green (8 oz)
20
Barq's Root Beer (12 oz)
22
Coca-Cola (12 oz)
34
Pepsi (12 oz)
38
Chocolate milk (8 oz)
4
Milk chocolate (1 oz)
1-15
Dark chocolate (1 oz)
20
Ben & Jerry's Coffee Fudge
Frozen Yogurt (4 oz)
42 formation, sperm viability, ovulation, egg viability, and hormone levels. |
C. W. Randolph, M.D.
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 BPA, a chemical found in epoxy resin and polycarbonate plastics, may impair the reproductive organs and have adverse effects on tumors, breast tissue development, and prostate development by reducing sperm count.
BPA can leach into water bottles through normal wear and tear and exposure to heat and cleaning agents. This includes leaving your plastic water bottle in your car during errands, in your backpack during hikes, and running it through your dishwasher or using harsh detergents. |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
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| Additional effects for enhancing sperm count and sperm quality are discussed in the male fertility section.
L-Arginine
^^^^
16 g per day
Para-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA). PABA is a part of the folic acid molecule and is found in eggs, milk, meat, and several grains. The role of PABA produced by the body is not really known, but as an oral supplement it is FDA-approved for difficult conditions such as scleroderma, vitiligo, pemphigus, and dermatomyosids. It is approved for use as a sunscreen because it acts as a filter to block out ultraviolet radiation. |
| In addition, acupuncture can also be helpful in improving sperm count, menstrual cycle regulation, ovulation induction, and decreasing stress and depression. Acupuncture, as with many complementary therapies, is best when combined with conventional treatment when indicated. Research studies thus far have had small sample sizes and difficulty in providing proper control, so the results should not be overemphasized until further studies can be done. Acupuncture by a licensed professional with experience working with fertility issues appears to be safe and well tolerated. |
Mark Schapiro
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 During this time, an infant's metabolic moving parts are running at full speed; the hormones surging into a boy's brain will play a major role in determining everything from gender-based behavior to sex drive to what his sperm count will be twenty years later.
Scientists are coming to understand more thoroughly this growth into maleness by identifying how it may go wrong. A growing number suspect that one way to throw the process askew, is by exposure to a family of polyvinyl-chloride plastic softeners called phtha-lates (pronounced tha-lates). |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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 Sperm count and semen volume were increased with maca at either dose.
Why the effects? Who knows? Maca contains two novel groups of compounds— macamides and macaenes, which may be responsible for its effects. Maca also contains the amino acid L-arginine (see below), which has been shown to increase sperm production and motility and is necessary for the creation of nitric oxide, a molecule that is necessary for erections.
"For the Sex, of Course!"
An interesting theory on maca and sexual activity has to do with the fact that maca contains high amounts of an amino acid called histidine. |
the Editors of PREVENTION
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 A man can be infertile for a number of reasons: His sperm count may be low, the sperm may be misshapen, or they may simply be lousy swimmers, unable to make it all the way to their destination.
Experts continue to debate whether sperm counts worldwide may be dropping. We do know that in a Finnish study, the percentage of men with normal sperm counts dropped from 56 percent in 1981 to 27 percent 10 years later. A more recent study shows a steady rate of decline in sperm counts for North America and Europe, with inconclusive results for non-Western countries. |
Paula Begoun and Bryan Barron
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 As an oral supplement, DHEA is controversial because long-term use has been associated with women developing secondary masculine traits, liver damage, disrupted menstrual cycles, and defects in fetuses, and, for men, with decreased sperm count. More superficial risks include hair loss, acne, and weight gain. |
Devra Davis
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 Children with autism or other brain defects, tumors or leukemia, and young men with testicular cancer, lower sperm count and testosterone are increasing everywhere. Fewer baby boys are being born in many industrial countries. Are these things coming to light only because some people are looking for problems? How do we figure out whether other parts of the modern world are placing us at risk of coming down with health problems that we could avoid?
To get out of its sick building, Texas first had to understand how it ended up in trouble. |
Dr. Paula Baillie-Hamilton
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 It may be no coincidence that since the 1950s, synthetic chemical production has increased fivefold, while the average sperm count has dropped by more than half. In light of the known detrimental effect chemicals have on sperm production, this dramatic fall in sperm count comes as little surprise.
Early warning signs about the damage artificial chemicals can cause to human reproduction first emerged a couple of decades ago when a U.S. fertility clinic started to notice that they were seeing an increasing number of people who worked in a factory that manufactured pesticides. |
Marshall Editions
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 In men, infertility is linked to sperm count. Male fertility is dependent on producing an adequate amount of sperm that has proper motility (efficient movement) and that is not deformed or abnormally shaped. Occasionally, men can suffer from retrograde ejaculation, where the sperm travels backwards after ejaculation. Other problems can stem from sexually transmitted diseases, hormonal disorders, inflammation of the testicles, impotence, and complications from previous surgery. Stress and other lifestyle factors can also contribute to infertility in both men and women. |
| Panax ginseng helps with sperm motility and sperm count. Men should take a product standardized to ginsenosides at 300 mg daily.
TIP: AVOID SAUNAS, HOT TUBS, AND TIGHT-FITTING UNDERWEAR
Testicles are set apart from the rest of the body because they need to be kept cool for healthy sperm production. Men with fertility issues should avoid overheating the testicles in saunas and hot tubs, and wearing tight-fitting underwear.
HOMEOPATHY
>w The causes of infertility can be diverse and complex in nature, and are best ^^^^W treated by an experienced homeopathic practitioner. |
Gabriel Cousens
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 According to a Washington Post article in 1979, PCBs are considered one of the main reasons that the average sperm count of the American male is approximately 70 percent of what it was thirty years ago. This same article also points out that 25 percent of college students were sterile at the time as compared to 0.5 percent thirty-five years earlier. Most toxicity experts agree that the main source of human contamination comes from eating fish from waters in which the PCB levels are high, which today can be almost anywhere. |
Patrick Holford
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 The usual test for infertility in a man involves a sperm count—the higher the sperm count, the greater the fertility. One study has shown that extra vitamin C increased sperm count as well as sperm mobility.1 Likewise, vitamin E or essential fat deficiency has been found to induce sterility in both sexes by causing damage to the reproductive tissues. Unfortunately, however, simply taking vitamin E will not reverse the condition if you are sterile.
The high rate of infertility among diabetics may provide us with a clue. |
Connie Bennett, C.H.H.C. with Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D.
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 So if it's not being properly fed, it can lead to low libido, inability to achieve orgasm, low sperm count, and infertility."
Cardiologist Patrick Fratellone, M.D., executive medical director of Fratel-lone Medical Associates, agrees that eating a lot of sweets can lower your sex drive. Diabetics are particularly prone to problems, says the former executive medical director of the Atkins Center for Complementary Medicine.
Reproductive endocrinologist Deborah Metzger, M.D., Ph.D. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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 In India, the race-mosa species is used to increase sperm count and nourish the ovum.
In the Western world, asparagus has long been touted as an aphrodisiac. I was unable to find any scientific evidence for its ability to make people amorous, but the legend remains, probably due to the vegetable's phallic shape. It's worth noting that asparagus is also known in India by the name Shatavari, which means "she who possesses 100 husbands." Draw your own conclusions.
Low in Calories, High in Nutrients
Asparagus, like most fruits and vegetables, has a very favorable ratio of potassium to sodium. |
David Winston, RH(AHG), and Steven Maimes
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 The powdered root is combined with equal parts ghee and honey and eaten by men to relieve impotence or low sperm count. Ashwagandha seeds are used in Sudan to coagulate milk for making cheese.
Asian Ginseng
Small amounts of Asian ginseng can be used in soups and in chicken, beef or pork dishes. Fresh ginseng roots that have been cleaned thoroughly and thinly sliced also can be candied.
Asian Ginseng Tea with Ginger and Licorice
1 ounce (approx. |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
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| Selenium mostly affects male fertility by maximizing sperm formation, optimizing testosterone production, and increasing sperm count. (For more information on male fertility, see the section titled "Male Fertility" later in this chapter.)
Selenium
100-200 meg daily
Zinc. The most widely studied nutritional supplement for fertility in both men and women is zinc. Zinc plays a vital role in cell division, and deficiencies are associated with reduced fertility, increased miscarriages, and chromosome damage. |
David Winston, RH(AHG), and Steven Maimes
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| We also know that extreme stress can cause an antifertility effect and may reduce the estrogen levels in females and the sperm count in men.
Adaptogens for Sexual Health
Adaptogens, in their general support for neuroendocrine balance, also work to regulate and balance the sex hormones and reproductive function. Some adaptogens can be used for sexual enhancement, especially in tired, qi deficient, depressed, or anxious people. They increase libido in both men and woman and may reduce the incidence of male and female infertility. |
Brenda Watson and Leonard Smith
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 In 2003, while at the University of Missouri at Columbia, she reported that men in rural Missouri had a 42 percent lower sperm count than those who lived in cities like Minneapolis and New York. In another study, this one conducted by researchers for the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System headquartered in Great Neck, New York, 40 percent of men with unexplained infertility tested high for lead in both blood and semen—higher than what is acceptable even for someone who is exposed to lead at work. |
by Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.
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| Male infertility may be caused by a decreased sperm count due to zinc deficiency, and zinc supplementation may increase sperm count and motility, particularly in men with low testosterone. Zinc deficiency may be a contributing factor in the high rate of prostate enlargement in this country. It is estimated that 50 to 60 percent of the men between the ages of 40 and 59 have prostate enlargement. Zinc supplementation has been shown to reduce the size of the prostate in the majority of the patients.
The importance of zinc in normal skin function is well known. |
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