What are the health foods that are good for male fertility

There are many causes of male infertility, such as congenital diseases (testicular dysplasia, cryptorchidism, etc.), acquired diseases, urogenital diseases (varicocele, tumors, testicular torsion, genitourinary infection, scrotum temperature Elevated), endocrine diseases, genetic diseases, immune factors, systemic diseases, external factors (drugs, toxins, radiation, etc.)

However, in more than 30% of cases, the cause of male infertility cannot be identified, and one of the main reasons is reduced sperm quality, or idiopathic infertility, due to non-specific causes A condition in which semen parameters are abnormal.

What are the health foods that are good for male fertility?

1. Zinc

Zinc is the second largest trace element necessary for human metabolism after iron in the human body. It can catalyze more than 100 enzymes, promote protein folding, and help regulate gene expression. It exists in various foods, such as beef, poultry, seafood and grains.

Symptoms of zinc deficiency are nonspecific and affect many organ systems, including the skin, gastrointestinal, central nervous, immune, skeletal, and reproductive systems, with possible growth retardation, diarrhea, alopecia, glossitis, decreased immunity, and gonadal Hypofunction, common in patients with malnutrition, alcoholism, inflammatory bowel disease, and malabsorption syndromes.

2. N-acetylcysteine

Acetylcysteine ​​is a thiol-containing compound whose properties include enhancing glutathione s-transferase activity, replenishing glutathione, scavenging free radicals, and inhibiting Oxidative, anti-inflammatory and mucolytic properties stabilize protein structure,

Originally patented in 1960, its medical application was first reported in 1967. It has been clinically used in cystic fibrosis, acetaminophen overdose poisoning and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and its role is expanding clinically.

A systematic literature review and meta-analysis (meta-analysis, including 3 randomized controlled trials, a total of 431 male idiopathic infertility participants) showed that oral acetylcysteine ​​​​has Helps improve sperm concentration, ejaculate volume, sperm motility and normal morphology. 

However, regarding serum hormones, there were no significant differences in serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and prolactin levels in the acetylcysteine ​​group compared with the placebo group.

3. L-carnitine

L-carnitine is an essential compound in the intermediary metabolism of eukaryotes, and it participates in the transport of long-chain fatty acids and peroxisome β-oxidation products to mitochondria, thereby completing β-oxidation.

In addition to protecting genetic material from oxygen free radical damage, L-carnitine can also regulate the fluidity of phospholipid membranes (by regulating phospholipid content, reducing the production level of ceramide and insulin-like growth factors) and preventing cell apoptosis.

Only the L-isomer has a physiological function in fatty acid transport, and in humans, 75% of the L-carnitine requirement is provided by the diet, while the remaining 25% is endogenously synthesized. Carnitine deficiency can cause a variety of symptoms and impair bodily functions.

A literature meta-analysis (meta-analysis, including 7 studies, a total of 693 patients with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia) pointed out that compared with placebo, combined use of L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine can increase sperm forward movement. % forward sperm motility, total motile spermatozoa, % forward motile spermatozoa, and number of pregnancies.

4. Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10, also known as ubiquinone, is a small lipophilic structure consisting of a benzoquinone ring and an isoprene side chain, ubiquitously present in cell membranes, probably in the form of reduction (ubiquinol) or oxidation (ubiquinone) form exists.

First, CoQ10 is a cofactor for mitochondrial enzyme complexes involved in the oxidative phosphorylation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Second, in addition to its role in generating ATP, CoQ10 is also an antioxidant or free radical scavenger.

Coenzyme Q10 is present in varying amounts in all tissues, with highest concentrations in tissues with high energy demands or metabolic activity such as heart, kidney, liver, and muscle.

5. Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids with multiple double bonds. Polyunsaturated means that their carbon chain contains two or more double bonds. The main types include eicosapentaene acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which contain 20 and 22 carbons, respectively.

Since the human body cannot synthesize Omega-3 fatty acids, the source mainly comes from marine animals. A small amount of EPA and DHA can also be synthesized in the body through α-linolenic acid (alpha linolenic acid). Alpha-linolenic acid is also an Omega-3 fatty acid found in plants such as flaxseed, canola oil, and walnuts.

In the medical literature, the most famous properties of Omega-3 fatty acids include: protection of the brain and heart, anti-inflammation, immune regulation, anti-oxidation, anti-tumor, etc.

A systematic literature review and meta-analysis (Meta-analysis, including 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, a total of 275 male infertility patients) pointed out that oral administration of omega-3 (DHA or EPA) can significantly improve sperm Vitality/sperm motility and semen DHA concentration.