Vitamins for Male Infertility: Simple Solutions for a Not-So-Simple Problem

Male factor infertility can be the easiest infertility diagnosis to overcome. Before attempting any alternative treatment, you should always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health professional.

Taking 1000 mg of Vitamin C per day can increase the sperm count by more than 100 percent. It also helps fight abnormalities and promotes overall healthier sperm.

Vitamin C has plenty of other benefits: as a powerful antioxidant it helps the body fight off many of the signs of aging as well as outside contaminants. If the goal is to improve sperm count and quality, Vitamin C is a good idea anyway because it helps your body break down and utilize other supplements.

Low selenium levels can lead to sperm with weak, deformed or easily broken tails. A sperm with a broken tail cannot make the long journey to the egg for fertilization. In males, almost half the body's selenium is concentrated in the testicles and seminal vesicles. Even a slight selenium deficiency can lead to big problems in terms of sperm health. One study found that selenium, in the proper dosage, increased sperm's mobility by over 100%

Foods that contain selenium include: Brazil nuts, canned tuna, beef, cod, and light meat turkey. Due to the lethality of a selenium overdose, it is not recommended that you supplement your selenium intake without speaking with a medical professional.

Maca root is a relatively new supplement in the infertility world. It's an herb that was originally used to improve sexual function in men. Men taking maca root reported, on average, a 180% improvement in sexual desire and drive. It is sometimes referred to as "herbal viagra" for that reason. Studies have also found, however, that maca root can improve sperm count by up to 200%.

The reason behind Maca root's sperm boosting ability lies within its own chemical make up. Maca root contains Vitamins B1, B2, and C as well as Zinc and Copper. As we've already covered, Vitamin C and Zinc are crucial to sperm count and overall health.

The slightest zinc deficiency in a man or woman will lead to decreased fertility. Zinc aids in healthy sperm and egg production as well as protecting them after they've been released into the reproductive system.

Men over age eleven need roughly 15mg of Zinc per day. Vegetarians and those who eat low-protein diets should supplement their Zinc intake. Symptoms of Zinc deficiency include slow growth, hair loss, and poor appetite. Symptoms of a Zinc overdose include abdominal cramping.

Foods that are high in zinc include lean meats, eggs, pumpkin seeds, and rye bread. If you choose to take a zinc supplement, you may consider a copper supplement as well. In some individuals, zinc supplements lead to copper deficiencies.

B complex vitamins are very helpful to the reproductive system in general. B12 assists in the development of DNA and RNA, which can help lead to a healthier pregnancy and, in the end, baby. If your sperm count is even just a little bit under the weather, consider a B12 supplement to help things along.