Nutrition and Fertility: An Overview for Men
10 Key Nutrients that Affect a Man's Fertility
-- By Stepfanie Romine, Staff Writer
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Good nutrition can generate valuable dividends, and there is no better time than the present to start. The better a man's nutritional status, the healthier his sperm are and the more easily his partner will conceive. A man's diet should be very similar to a woman's pre-pregnancy eating plan: daily servings of bread, grains and pasta (6-11 servings); vegetables (3-5 servings); fruits (2-4 servings); protein (2-3 servings); and calcium-rich foods (2-3 servings). To find out how many calories you need based on your age, body size and activity level, use SparkPeople's free Nutrition Tracker. Pay particular attention to key vitamins and nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium and vitamin D, which all have specific roles in the production of sperm.
In addition, here are some other nutrients and foods that can affect male reproductive health:
Antioxidants
All fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, which help keep sperm healthy. At a 2006 meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, researchers reported that the more fruits and vegetables a man ate, the more mobile his sperm were. Where to get it: Fruits and vegetables naturally contain antioxidants. Eating a wide range of produce, in various colors, ensures that you're consuming a variety of antioxidants. Aim for 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
