In Africa, the burden of infertility or delayed pregnancy has been blamed on the woman for a long time. Whenever a couple finds it difficult to conceive, the woman receives a bigger share of the blame if not it all. Quite recently, with social educations and campaigns lots of men are becoming aware that a bigger portion of the causes of infertility could be attributed to them. As a result some men are becoming more aware and want to maintain healthy sperms as much as they take care of their beard or muscles… (man Ghana!!... lol).
Here are five things to watch if you want to maintain healthy sperms
1. Go easy on alcohol
The negative effect of alcohol consumption on your sperms is an established fact. There is this recent craze in the media where men are told that if they consume some herbal beverages prepared with an alcohol base their performance in bed is enhanced and lots of men are now engaging in it. Yes, it may be true that sexual performance may be enhanced in the interim when you need it but have you considered or have you been told of the deleterious long-term effect this could have on your sperm DNA? Alcohol impairs the metabolism of several vitamins such as vitamin A, which is important for healthy sperm production. According to a large study performed in 2014, consuming more than five units of alcohol a week had damaging effects on the quality of a man’s sperm.
2. Where is your mobile phone man?
I recently purchased a wifi router from a popular vendor in Accra and on the insert I saw they placed a caution that the device should not be placed directly in contact to your body. I was glad when I saw this because they are making their customers aware of the nature of radiation that these devices emit. Lots of men place their phones in their pocket and which essential manly part is in close proximity to the pocket?... (you are right……. The testes). Our recent study report on the harrowing effect that the radiations emiited from these gadgets can have on your sperm and its amazing the rate of deterioration over a period of time.
3. Are you heating your balls?
Yes, it is called a laptop but it doesn’t necessarily mean it should be on your laps all the time… (Im sure the makers don’t even do that). Laptops produce a massive amount of heat energy. Do you know why the testes hang outside and not in the abdomen of men? The normal body temperature is always between 36 – 370C, but optimal sperm production happens at a slightly lower temperature – that is why the testes hang outside. Constantly placing your laptop computer on your laps can have a negative effect on your sperm production. Likewise sitting in hot tubs such as the sauna can have similar heating effects on your testes and this could also hamper optimal sperm production.
4. Balanced meals
Generally, eating a well-balanced meal is important for optimum function of the bodily systems. To have healthy sperms, it is also important to eat well balanced meals with all the needed food nutrients and vitamins. Specifically for sperm health, consider these suggestions
Food substances rich in Omega 3 fats are beneficial to sperm health. Fish is a rich source of omega 3 fats.
Consume anti-oxidant rich foods – free radical are substances produced as a result of normal metabolism in the body. If these free radicals are not mopped up from the body, they accumulate and have negative effect on several other things including sperm production. Vegetables and whole grain cereals contain high amounts of antioxidant. You can also consider food supplements that provide L-carnitine, a potent antioxidant.
Selenium and zinc rich foods are also proven to improve sperm production. Fruits such as watermelons are high in selenium and zinc.
5. Check your weight
Excessive weight gain has a negative impact on several body systems and the reproductive system of the man is no exception. Obese men have been found to have low testosterone levels hence
reduced libido. A recent study performed in Denmark suggests that the weight of a man is able to predispose his offspring (children) to obesity. The sperm cells carry the genetic information that is passed from the father to the children. By this study, an obese man is more likely to have obese children at the early stages.