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In general the diet for a healthy father-to-be should be every bit as balanced, varied, and nutritious as the diet for mother-to-be.
A balanced diet is extremely important. Research shows that poor eating habits and drinking alcohol regularly, for instance, can lower the quality and quantity of sperm. Infertility is as much a man's problem as it is a woman's. It is reported that approximately 30 – 40% of infertility can be attributed to men. Nutrition could have a direct impact on the potency of sperm. Following a healthy diet could boost your chances of conceiving a child.
Specifically, future dads should eat plenty of foods rich in vitamin C, get more zinc and increase intake of calcium, vitamin D, vitamin E and L-arginine.
There are many contributors towards the improvement of male fertility (some work more effectively in combination with others):
Promoters of fertility (in alphabetical order)
Calcium
Chromium
Coenzyme Q10
Essential Fatty Acid’s
Folic Acid (also known as folate)
L-arginine
L-carnitine
Niacin (also known as vitamin B3)
Selenium
Vitamin B12
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Zinc
It is not always possible to obtain satisfactory levels of these substances from diet alone, taking supplements can sometimes be a good way of ensuring adequate levels are maintained but do not over-do this.
Inhibitors of fertility (in alphabetical order)
Alcohol
Caffeine
Drugs
Radiation and chemicals
Smoking
Stress
Recommendations for improving male fertility
Sperm is produced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week but it takes approximately 72-90 days (up to 3 months) to produce mature sperm so it should be recognised that any changes in lifestyle and diet need time to have an effect.
The basic message is that you need to commit yourself to a few months of clean living and healthy eating which means plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meats - and a safer lifestyle, you will then be in good shape to father a child. It may be necessary to take some supplements to ensure that optimum levels of minerals, vitamins and fatty acids are obtained. Some cases studies have shown that RDA levels need to be exceeded to restore imbalances.
For more detailed information on male fertility, nutrition and pregnancy, visit:nutrition and pregnancy at From Little Acorns Academy |
