Everyone knows it takes two to tango, and the same is true for conceiving a baby. Fertility supplements, in addition to conventional medical treatments, can tip the balance in favor of a successful conception – but, natural fertility supplements are not just for women. There are several fertility supplements that can benefit men, as well.
Nature’s Medicine
Unlike medications, injections and surgery, fertility supplements carry very few, if any, side-effects. Most of them have been used for centuries with a good success rate according to anecdotal evidence. Unfortunately, most studies conducted regarding fertility supplements are small and more studies need to be done in order to support the anecdotal evidence.
As with any change to a health regimen, a knowledgeable health care provider should be consulted before implementing fertility supplements, as they can interact with prescribed medications.
Antioxidants and Fertility Supplements
To improve sperm health and motility as well as reducing the amount of abnormal sperm cells, it is recommended men take a combination of Vitamin C, Vitamin E and selenium. These are considered antioxidants, meaning they help mitigate the damage inflicted on the cells of the body by free radicals. Vitamin C also helps keep sperm cells from clumping, allowing more sperm to reach their final destination.
What Else Can Help Male Fertility?
The mineral zinc has been shown to increase sperm count and help regulate testosterone levels. Arginine, an amino acid necessary to make sperm, and cartinine, a compound similar to vitamins and also an imperative component to sperm development, are also beneficial to improving male fertility. Small studies done on these two fertility supplements in regard to their effectiveness have documented higher sperm counts, improved sperm motility and better sperm health, resulting in successful conception for the couples involved in the studies.
Dosages for Fertility Supplements for Men
The recommended dosage for Vitamin C is 5,000 mg per day. However, this dosage could cause diarrhea, so it is also recommended to begin this regimen with 1,000 mg per day, and adding Vitamin C in 1,000 mg increments to see how the body tolerates the dosage. With a doctor’s approval, 25 mg per day of zinc is also recommended.
For arginine, 1,000 mg twice a day is the usual dose, and cartinine is usually used three times a day with a dose of 300-1,000 mg. All dosages and fertility supplements should be discussed with a health care professional.
Traditional medical treatments for fertility have advanced at a fast pace, and many couples have had success with the variety of procedures available to help with conception. However, it stands to reason fertility supplements for men will help improve the chances even more by helping maintaining the utmost in sperm health, count and motility.
