HEALTH & FITNESS

Recent research shows New Zealand men's sperm count is suffering a huge decline. Can it be saved?

Research presented by Fertility Associates, Auckland, to a Brisbane meeting of international fertility experts has shown that the amount of sperm carried by the average New Zealand bloke has decreased from 110 million per millilitre in 1987 to 50 million per millilitre today - more of a decline than has been seen in any other Western country.

To help us buck this disturbing trend, fertility expert, Eric Daiter, offers up some sperm saving advice.

There are a lot of myths surrounding sperm count and sperm health. The truth is that your sperm count can vary from day to day and can be affected by many things. If you are interested in increasing your sperm health or sperm count, there are a few things that you can do to help improve your chances of having healthy sperm.

Take your vitamins. A daily multivitamin can help your body to become a good environment for sperm production. Zinc and Folic Acid have been shown to help in sperm production and increase sperm count for a lot of men. Keeping your body healthy can have a direct connection with keeping your sperm healthy.

Diet can have an impact on your sperm as well. Try eating lots of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. In today’s society, we tend to eat a lot of processed foods loaded with additives and little nutrition. Become label conscious and try to eat a more balanced diet. Healthy fats can help with sperm production. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in salmon, eggs, flax and avocados.

Refrain from damaging recreations such as smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages and drugs. All of these things will hinder sperm production. Cigarettes and drugs are loaded with toxins that are not compatible with sperm growth and development. Stay away from these things if you are trying to conceive.

Toxins in your environment can also damage sperm. If you are exposed to toxins daily, such as pesticides or paint fumes, then it may be affecting your sperm count. Wear gloves when exposing your skin to household cleaners. Wear a ventilation mask if you are around any fumes that could be inhaled. Shower often to help your body rid itself of toxins that could be in your system.

Heat can hinder sperm production. Choose warm showers over hot baths. Avoid hot tubs. Switch from briefs to boxers. Your testes naturally drop to get away from your body when they get too hot and contract closer to your abdomen if they need to warm up. Changing your underwear from briefs to boxers will allow your testes to function as they were designed.

Talk to an infertility specialist. Certain medications and illnesses can impact your sperm production. Make sure that you are not taking any medications that could thwart your efforts. Work with your doctor to figure out what could be causing your low sperm count. It could be your environment, lifestyle, habits or an underlying medical condition. Be patient and do what you can to help improve your chances of a healthy sperm count.

Eric Daiter

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