NUTrition for sperm health
One-half of infertility cases
With one-half of infertility cases due to an issue with sperm, men and people with sperm should be included in treatment plans. Their contribution is just as vital as egg quality and a receptive uterine lining for a successful journey to parenthood.
Nutrition can play a central role in sperm quality. Today, high-quality food is often usurped by the standard Western diet. Research has found trans-fatty acids and diets high in sugar and red meat are associated with poor sperm quality.
Could nuts help semen quality?
Some Spanish researchers wondered if adding nuts daily would impact sperm parameters in healthy men. In their FERTINUTS study (yes, that is the study’s name), they randomized 119 men to either a standard Western diet with 60g of mixed nuts added daily or a standard Western diet alone for 14 weeks. They found significant improvements in sperm count, motility, and morphology in the men who consumed nuts compared with those who did not. They also found DNA fragmentation was significantly reduced in the nut-consuming group.
What is impressive to me is this single change to one’s diet profoundly affected semen parameters – including morphology (sperm shape). Acupuncturists are no strangers to using foods to support our treatment goals, and walnuts are commonly recommended for people with the Chinese Medicine pattern of Kidney Yang Deficiency. This study’s nut mix contained monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and nutrients like zinc, calcium, vitamins C and E, and selenium, all known to support spermatogenesis (aka sperm production.) It, therefore, makes sense supplementing with nuts would help, but to see such a strong signal with a simple intervention is more evidence that food is indeed medicine.
You can read the whole study here. But, if you or your partner are having sperm issues, encourage them to add 60g of nuts daily with a mix of walnuts (30g), almonds (15g), and hazelnuts (15g).
Want to learn more?
Dr. Lee Hullender Rubin, of Rosefinch Health in Portland, OR, is a fertility specialist. For more than two decades, she has helped thousands of people achieve their family-building goals, including people who were told they were unlikely to have children. It doesn’t matter if you are trying at home or are working with a conventional fertility doctor. Dr. Lee can help you optimize your chances of success with focused, evidence-based recommendations. Contact us to learn more or schedule an appointment.