A major cause of sperm damage is due to oxidative damage by free radicals. Now, most of us know that antioxidants are those clever little substances (especially in berries and dark fruits and veg) which offer protection against the damage of free radicals. Unfortunately sperm are very sensitive to free radicals and it is the membrane fluidity of sperm which encourages this free radical attack! These impair the motility, viability and structure of sperm cells!
Unfortunately as we go through life, we are exposed to free radicals and there is not much we can do about this - what we can do is make sure we have good amounts of antioxidants in our diets! Men who want to boost their sperm production can do so by ensuring they have vitamin C, beta-carotene, selenium and vitamin E in their daily diets to help protect sperm. Ascorbate (vitamin C) is present in high concentrations in seminal fluid (much more than other bodily fluids). Smoking significantly reduces vitamin C in the body (so if you're trying to conceive, quit!). Vitamin C also reduces the percentage of agglutinated sperm (this is when sperm "clumps" together). Vitamin E is the main antioxidant which fights free radical damage in sperm cells and has been shown to enhance the ability of sperm to fertilize eggs in vitro.
Vikki Le-Gallienne (Nutritional Therapist) Dip ION MBANT CNHC Registered
Nutritional Therapy can help! Want to find out more about nutritional therapy consultations or workshops? See www.nutristudio.co.uk today!
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