There’s a good chance that something you’re doing right at this moment is affecting either the quantity or quality of sperm your body produces. It may sound hard to believe, but there are so many aspects common to modern life today that can have a detrimental effect not only on the amount of sperm you produce, but your sperm’s motility (how well your swimmers can swim) and even their shape.
So, what’s the big deal?
I mean, unless you’re trying to conceive, low sperm count shouldn’t be that big of a deal, right? Think again. Healthy sperm, both in quantity and quality, is a sign of reproductive health which, in turn, is a good determination of whether you’re as healthy and fit as you think you are. Plus, oligozoospermia -that’s the medical term for low sperm count- often goes hand in hand with low sex drive and diminished sexual performance. Sounds like a pretty big deal now, huh?
Let’s take a look at some of the biggest culprits that you’re probably not even aware are hurting your sperm count.
Sitting for Long Periods
There have been numerous studies that have found that men who sit for hours at a time (like those who load up on tv and video games) had a lower production of sperm in comparison to men who are at least moderately active. That doesn’t mean that you need to exercise every day, but, it does mean you need to get up and move more. The benefits of regular physical activity will help to increase your sperm count and will affect your overall health. Another great side effect is increased stamina. *ahem*
It’s Getting too Hot Down Here!
Sitting with your laptop on your lap -versus on a table- for long stretches of time can increase the temperature in your scrotum. Why does this matter? Well, sperm need a perfect environment to live which is approximately 4 degrees cooler than your body temperature. Thus, testicles were created with what’s known as the cremaster muscle. This muscle relaxes and contracts based on if you’re cold or hot to either pull the testicles close to body or hang them lower away. See, there’s a reason that your testicles are outside of your body and not contained inside like a woman’s ovaries. Sperm exposed to high temperatures show reduced motility and can even die.
If exposed to this higher heat for a longer period of time it can actually cause the body to produce fewer sperm, many of which can be abnormally shaped. Just think about the heat produced by a laptop, that’s enough heat to seriously impact your sperm health. This is the same reason why I also discourage men from wearing tight underwear and pants as it keeps the testes too close to the body and, thus, too warm.
Cell Phone Use
Did you know that keeping your cell phone in your hip pocket or on your belt has been linked to reduced sperm motility? The radiation emitted from cell phones has long been a concern for brain tumors and cancer, but studies have found a significant impact on fertility and reproductive health, too. Your phone emits the most radiation when in use. Just talking on a cell phone for an hour or more each day can make a big difference. Most bluetooth users are still not safe as they are less likely to remove their phone’s from their pockets while in this higher radiation mode. So, your best bet? Keep your phone as far away from your family jewels as possible and limit how much time you spend talking on it.
You are what you eat… or should I say what your Father Ate!
There are numerous reasons why the Standard American Diet (SAD) can greatly impact sperm health. For example, eating a diet high in processed and damaged fats has been shown to negatively affect both lower sperm count and concentration. For proper function, sperm need their plasma membrane, which is composed mainly of fats. Thus, we can see how important the type of fat that you consume is to the composition and quality of that fatty membrane.
Dirty Little Habits
Having just a few alcoholic drinks a day has been found to increase the production of estrogen in the body which adversely impacts the production of sperm. Even coffee/cola may be a concern, as drinking excessive amounts of caffeine per day has been shown to have a similar effect.
Emotional Stress
Severe or prolonged emotional stress, including stress about fertility, might interfere with hormones needed to produce sperm. It’s been shown that who talk out their problems and discuss their feelings with their partners had higher sperm counts than those who don’t. Speak up and be comfortable to talk to your partner about what you are going through, it could do wonders for your sperm.
Improve Your Reproductive Health:
Luckily, increasing your sperm count and boosting your reproductive health doesn’t have to be as scary as it may sound. Specific diet and lifestyle changes, alongside an optimal supplement protocol can provide great results.
If you have any concerns about your reproductive health, scheduling an initial consultation with me is a great way to rule out any larger issues and determine which specific factors are causing your distress. Once we’ve established the main areas for concern, I’ll be able to create a personalized program suited to your individual needs which will help improve your sexual health.
Click here to apply now for my one-on-one coaching program.
Cheers & Namaste,
P.S. For more tips on improving your reproductive health be sure to sign up for my e-mail mailing list (I promise not to spam you ;))
Sources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18076419
http://humupd.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2012/12/12/humupd.dms050.full.html?papetoc
http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/content/20/1/208.short
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S1807-59322009000600011&script=sci_arttext
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0188440906001652
http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/content/29/3/429.short
http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh22-3/195.pdf?q=effects-of-alcohol-2
http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/171/8/883.short
http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282%2814%2900381-1/abstract
I’m Elle! A Toronto-based Holistic Nutritionist. I’m a multi-passionate woman, but nutrition and understanding how the body works is really my passion. Through my own personal journey, I have trained my body to heal itself using strategic, natural tools and techniques. Now I’m ready to help others!
As a new Mom, I understand that wellbeing is a journey. I hope my expertise will inspire other parents to choose nutrient-rich foods and the right products to create a happy, healthy and sustainable home. Click Here to Continue Reading
