Zita West - Zita West’s Guide to Getting Pregnant

Pycnogenol

Pycnogenol (French maritime pine bark extract) is a natural antioxidant that has been found useful in maintaining the health of blood vessel walls and circulation. It works, at least in part, by subduing free radicals. A preliminary study recently presented at the 54th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine/16th World Congress on Fertility and Sterility in San Francisco reported the findings of Dr Scott J. Roseff and his colleagues at the West Essex Center for Advanced Reproductive Endocrinology in West Orange, New Jersey. In the study, four ‘subfertile’ male patients took daily supplements of Pycnogenol ®for three months. These men had had relatively high numbers of deformed sperm, as well as low sperm counts and activity. After 90 days, the percentage of structurally normal sperm – that is, non – deformed sperm – increased by an average of 99 per cent. ‘The number of deformed sperm went down and the number of normal sperm went up,’ Dr Roseff said. ‘The increase in morphologically (structurally) normal sperm is significant, although this is just a preliminary study. Pycnogenol could enable some couples to forego expensive in – vitro fertilization in favour of simpler and less expensive intrauterine insemination.’

SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine)

SAMe is manufactured in the body from the amino acid methionine, with the aid of the co – factors vitamin B 12and folic acid, and is essential in the production of the nucleic acids DNA and RNA and other proteins. Although its use as a supplement has been mainly for those suffering depression, migraines, osteoarthritis and liver disease, some preliminary research has shown that SAMe may also increase sperm activity in infertile men, although it’s too early for this to be conclusive. Also, as this amount is over the RDA, please consult a qualified nutritionist before you take it.

Arginine

Another amino acid, arginine is found in many foods needed to enhance sperm production. Research, of which most is still in its preliminary stages, has shown that supplementation with L – arginine over several months increased sperm count, quality and fertility. As a supplement it is also an immune – system enhancer and powerful growth – hormone stimulant, while also playing a role in circulation and sexual function. In some susceptible individuals it can also reactivate a latent herpes infection, and shouldn’t be used by people with diabetes.

L-carnitine

Another amino acid – like substance, made by the body and also found in meat, L – carnitine is responsible for utilizing fat in the energy centres of the body’s cells, and is essential for the formation of lean muscle in the body. It also appears to be necessary for the normal functioning of sperm cells. In preliminary studies, giving an L – carnitine supplement for four months helped to normalize sperm motility in men with poor sperm quality. In another trial, acetylcarnitine was used, and a supplement of 4 grams a day proved useful for male infertility caused by immobile sperm. However, again, this amount is well over the RDA, and should not be taken without supervision.

DHA

So important for sperm. The semen contains high levels of DHA. Animals fed a diet lacking in DHA showed decreased levels in their sperm.

For more about eating well to increase fertility, see the Nutrition chapter.

Other Important Nutrients

These include folic acid – a nutrient just as important for men as it is for women – saw palmetto and NAC. As always, please do consult a qualified nutritionist for more information about dosages and how all these nutrients can assist fertility.

I think the way we live and our environment have definitely had an effect on the decline of sperm. Laptop computers, solvents, chemicals – such as those you may use for a hobby or as part of your work – ‘gender-bending’ environmental oestrogens, paints, pesticides, plastics, aluminium – all of these affect fertility. So, too, can natural substances such as genistein, a compound found in soya products and pulses, and various contaminants in drinking water. In addition, there are factors brought about by the trend towards increasingly sedentary occupations and lack of physical activity, which increase scrotal temperature and affect sperm production, count and motility. All in all, the risks are far greater than they were even 20 years ago.

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