Male infertility and how to increase sperm count with Chinese medicine

infertility in men

Diet and lifestyle advice towards better health Introduction to Chinese medicine and fertility concepts

Chinese medicine uses a holistic approach to health and wellness, viewing disease as a lack of harmony 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, the way 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 are present. However, some vitamin and mineral supplements can cause toxicity in high doses, so it is advisable to speak with a health professional before starting a vitamin regimen.

Important Vitamins and Supplements

To increase sperm count

Vitamin C: It is an antioxidant. Helps reduce clumping 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: they 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 (EFA): 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 free of lead, mercury, and heavy metals, as large ocean fish can absorb many metals and toxins in their meat. If it also has added Omega 6, do not get it since we are already 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 and energy metabolism.

tribule: Once again, not all supplements are created equal, so it is always good to go for a good quality one. There are many cheap tribulus imitations out there and most are intended for bodybuilding etc. It took me a while to recommend 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 penetrating ability.

Environment, Toxins and Chemicals There is a large body of modern research supporting the decline in sperm count 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 both men and women. Other contaminants include dental amalgams, which can be zinc antagonists, 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 exposure to pesticides, 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 sweating at night in bed, which is a good indicator to cut back.

THC in marijuana has been shown to drastically reduce sperm production and interfere with the attachment of sperm to the egg.

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

Coffee has a stimulating and warming 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 consult with your GP while you’re trying to conceive.

Water

Water is always a point of contention. Chlorine can lead to vitamin E deficiency in large amounts, and the debate over the need for fluoride continues as many European countries ban it and stop using it. City water can also contain trace amounts of toxins, unwanted minerals and heavy metals, including high levels of copper from rusty pipes that can lead to a deficiency in 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 ‘rust’ and disintegrate. If you put lemon juice in 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 gases every day, the cells in our body oxidize faster.

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

1. Small red kidney bean (dry), 1/2 cup 11. Strawberry, 1 cup
2. Wild cranberry, 1 cup 12. Delicious red apple, 1
3. Kidney beans (dried), 1/2 cup 13. Granny Smith apple, 1
4. Pinto beans, 1/2 cup 14. Pecan, 1 ounce
5. Blueberry (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 decrease vitamin B5 and 6, vitamin C, magnesium, and zinc. This decrease in natural CS leads to an increase in histamine therefore a higher incidence of inflammation 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.
• Radiation exposure.
• Varicocele: A varicose vein in the scrotum. It’s a fairly common problem in infertile men and is definitely worth getting checked out by your GP, IVF specialist or urologist.
• Estrogen analogues: This means things in a man’s diet that have a very similar 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 soymilk/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 ejaculation 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, ejaculation every 2-3 days and daily during your partner’s ovulation period is recommended. 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; not mechanical and forced. If anything, the female orgasm is probably the most important factor in terms of timing, etc., as there are internal physiological mechanisms that help the passage of sperm into the cervix when orgasm occurs.

Ways to improve my health:

• Stress less: Take time to relax and meditate or take a walk in the park in the fresh air.
• Eat more fresh and healthy foods regularly, especially green leafy vegetables.
• Reduce or quit smoking.
• Stop the use of recreational drugs.
• Cut down on alcohol, especially on the days you are 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 the best is purified, 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 pastries, refined foods, high-sugar foods, and takeout junk food. You will 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 bloating? Try to find the foods that cause the problem and eliminate them. In Chinese medicine, each organ in the body rests and is activated at different times of the day. Organs important to 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 fertility chances. Try to stress less, practice yoga or meditation. Talk to your GP if you suspect you may have a varicocele and have an ultrasound.

Cool your testicles. That means shorter hot showers, no baths, baggy boxers, 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 push each other! Trying to conceive can be a very difficult time for couples, but don’t forget to take some time to relax.