Exercise, diet and certain medications can all have an impact on sperm count and motility; fortunately there are natural treatments and supplements which may help boost this area of health.
Antioxidants such as CoQ10, vitamin C and ashwagandha may help improve sperm count, motility and morphology if taken as part of a healthier diet and lifestyle plan. These supplements may also aid with recovery after surgery or trauma.
1. Vitamin D:
Vitamin D is most famously associated with calcium absorption and bone structure, yet it serves many other roles, including hormonal secretion and regulation of cell produced substances that influence multiple organs and systems in our bodies. Vitamin D receptors (VDR) can be found throughout the body including reproductive system.
Recent research indicates that men with lower vitamin D levels had less motile sperm compared to those with higher levels. The cross-sectional nature of this research made it impossible for researchers to ascertain whether lower vitamin D levels directly caused decreased motile sperm motility.
Researchers who tested vitamin D supplements on sperm samples observed a fast increase in calcium concentration as soon as vitamin D was introduced, likely due to an activation of protein kinase A cAMP-dependent process and increasing proportions of sperm capable of propelling themselves forward and successfully fertilizing an egg from female donors.
2. Ashwagandha:
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an effective Ayurvedic plant known for its numerous health benefits, including fertility enhancement. An adaptogen, it influences various body systems while encouraging overall resilience and balance.
Stress, one of the primary factors resulting in low sperm count and motility, can be reduced through use of this herb by relieving insomnia, anxiety, skin conditions, fatigue and epilepsy among other issues related to
Studies involving men with oligospermia who were treated for 90 days with ashwagandha root extract demonstrated significant increases in sperm concentration and normal morphology – due to its stimulating properties on testosterone production, an essential aspect of male fertility.
Reducing reactive oxygen species, or free radicals, that damage sperm increases motility. ROS levels caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices, diseases and environmental pollution can increase significantly and lead to oxidative stress that diminishes both count and motility – this stress can be reduced through eating foods high in antioxidants such as vegetables and whole grains as part of a balanced diet.
3. CoQ10:
Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant found naturally within our bodies that provides protection from oxidative stress, one of the primary causes of infertility. By decreasing harmful free radicals in your system, Coenzyme Q10 reduces their harmful impact and helps ensure fertilization, reproductive health and fertility are intact and unhampered by infertility issues. Furthermore, its presence enhances motility and concentration rates of sperm for fertilization purposes and reproductive wellness.
Studies indicate that CoQ10 supplements significantly improve semen parameters in infertile men. Unfortunately, randomized controlled trials are limited; one such randomized controlled trial involved 29 infertile men who had failed ICSI cycles who received two months’ of CoQ10 and Vitamin C supplements and saw their genetic health improve and pregnancy rates increase as a result of taking part.
Safarinejad conducted a study in 2009 examining the effects of CoQ10 in 212 infertile patients with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratospermia (iOAT). He discovered that treatment with ubiquinol and CoQ10 for three months significantly improved forward and total motility of sperm cells as well as decreasing seminal 8-isoprostane levels and acrosome reactions while normalizing serum ubiquinol levels and cell morphology. In another study conducted by Kobori and colleagues they administered an antioxidant mixture with CoQ10, vitamin C & E that significantly enhanced concentration, motility morphology & concentration with 16 spontaneous pregnancies observed over six months of treatment – 16 spontaneous pregnancies occurring during follow up.
4. L-Carnitine:
Studies show that L-Carnitine may significantly improve fertility for men suffering from low sperm counts. It does so by transporting energy directly into mitochondria in sperm cells so they can produce more ATP, and increasing motility and thus increasing sperm count.
L-Carnitine can increase NRF2 activity by inhibiting oxidative stress (OS) and increasing antioxidant protein expression, as well as by supporting DNA repair in sperm to increase fertility and further boost fertility. Furthermore, its metal chelating properties help rid the body of harmful metals such as mercury or lead.
Researchers conducted a study where supplementing with 2 grams of carnitine daily improved sperm motility among men with low sperm counts. Furthermore, supplementation led to an increase in testosterone levels which further helped improve fertility. It should be noted however that higher doses may cause toxicity since carnitine can compete for calcium binding sites and may lead to hypocalcemia if taken at too high a dosage range; so for safety sake it would be prudent to adhere to lower end dosage range.
5. Astaxanthin:
Astaxanthin (pronounced AST-as-zany-thin) is one of nature’s most potent antioxidants and is found in algae as well as any animals who eat them, like salmon. It may be responsible for red sea fish’s vibrant hue, and astaxanthin has even been proven to increase count and motility of sperm quality; one study demonstrated this fact; couples taking astaxanthin managed to become pregnant within three months of
Researchers from the same group also conducted a case control study involving 65 infertile men with oligoasthenozoospermia and sperm concentrations below 30 million/mL who had been treated for three months with CoQ10, L-Carnitine, vitamin E and selenium treatment; their results indicated significant improvements in analysis, motility and semen antioxidant status – prompting these authors to conclude that such combinations of nutrients might help decrease male idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia [176].
Recent clinical research evaluated the effect of astaxanthin vs diamide (Diam) on human sperm capacitation. This process involves membrane changes that lead to an acrosome reaction (AR). AR depends on several factors including lipid changes, controlled amounts of ROS production and tyrosine phosphorylation in its head; among them were Tyr-P pattern enhancement and increased AR in Astaxanthin treated heads whereas Diam had no impact on these
Also read
