The world’s largest study on the effects of lifestyle on the quality of sperm has been published this week, with some surprising findings.
Scientists say an increasing proportion of sperm – about 90 per cent in a typical young man – are misshapen, sometimes with two heads or two tails.
Even when properly shaped, today’s sperm are often pathetic swimmers, veering like drunks or paddling crazily in circles. Sperm counts also appear to have dropped sharply in the last 75 years, in ways that affect the ability to reproduce.
While that doesn’t bode well for those of you hoping to add a new member into your family, there are some ways that you can boost your husband’s sperm count if you’re trying for a baby:
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The optimum temperature for sperm production is 34.5 degrees celsius, which is slightly below body temperature. A three-year University of California study in 2007 found that five out of 11 men who stopped taking hot baths experienced a sperm count rise of almost 500 per cent.
A 2009 Spanish study by the Andalusian Center of Sports Medicine and the University of Las Palmas found that a prolonged spell on a bike can severely affect the shape and quality of his sperms. After monitoring 15 Spanish triathletes with an average age of 33 the study found that “those that systematically cycled 300 kilometers a week had fertility problems”.
Traditional Chinese herbs, like Panax Ginseng, may be effective for improving erections, sexual desire, blood flow to the sexual organs and general sexual health with virtually no side-effects. But remember to be patient – since sperm formation takes almost three months, it will take at least this amount of time before you see changes.
Drinking coffee can improve the swimming speed of human sperm, although whether this means pregnancy rates are higher among coffee drinkers is unclear. Other studies have suggested that drinking just three cups of coffee a day can cause genetic mutations in sperm, making it harder for them to successfully fertilise an egg.
Garlic is a great baby-making booster for your man. It contains two magic elements – allicin, which improves blood flow to his sexual organs and protects sperm from damage, and selenium, an antioxidant that improves sperm motility. One to two cloves a day is a good amount.
A 2011 study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility suggested there could be a link between using a laptop with a Wi-Fi connection and a reduction in sperm quality. Sperm samples from 29 men were stored normally and under a laptop connected to WiFi. The sperm stored under the laptop became more sluggish and showed signs of DNA damage.
Oysters are one of your man’s best sources of zinc, which helps sperm production. It also doesn’t hurt that they’re an aphrodisiac, so load him up with 15mg a day – around 50g of oysters – and you’ll be making babies before you know it. If you can’t stomach oysters, turkey, pumpkin seeds, lobster and mussels are good alternatives.
Lower spear count can also be attributed to our exposure to xenoestrogens (PCBs, DDT, dioxin, other pesticides, plastics and industrial pollutants) that mimic the effects of estrogen. You can prevent or minimize the impact of xenoestrogens on your health by avoiding plastic containers for food storage, plastic bottles, wraps and utensils.
A report published by Ohio’s Cleveland Clinic, following analysis of 12 studies conducted by different groups around the world, found that consumption of lycopene improved the quality, mobility and volume of sperm dramatically, increasing sperm count by up to 70 per cent. Lycopene is an essential nutrient found commonly in red fruit and vegetables such as tomatoes, raspberries, cherries and peppers.
Sitting for long periods of time and tight-fitting underwear that constricts the testes can all elevate temperatures long enough to suppress sperm production. Try purchasing a pair of bigger briefs but if you are concerned about your husband’s sperm, consult a doctor, not the internet.
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