Exercise, diet and a daily supplement can help both men and women improve fertility.
Yes. A daily vitamin is a good idea for almost everybody. Just be aware men and women have different needs, so sharing prenatal vitamins will not work. And it takes about 2.5 to 3 months to produce healthier sperm, so the sooner you start, the better. Men provide 50% of the embryo’s DNA so it makes sense to give yourself a health boost when building a family.
What to look for in a male prenatal?
Make sure your prenatal is specifically formulated for men and includes a few or all of these supplements.
CoQ10
A powerful antioxidant thought to increase sperm motility.
Folate or folic acid
5-MTHF or L-methylfolate is the easiest form for the body to absorb. Folic acid can increase sperm concentration.
Vitamin C
Important in improving immunity, Vitamin C can also help protect sperm from damage as well as improve count, motility, and morphology.
Vitamin E
This important antioxidant may help improve sperm’s genetic health when combined with other supplements like selenium and CoQ10.
Vitamin D
Typically absorbed from the sun, we could all use more of this hormone living in the Pacific Northwest. Vitamin D is critical for our bodies to absorb calcium, magnesium, and phosphate.
L-carnitine
This supports metabolism and may help increase sperm longevity.
D-aspartic acid (D-AA)
D-AA help regulate testosterone release and has been shown to increase pregnancy rates.
Selenium
Another antioxidant, Selenium combined with the other vitamins above may improve overall sperm health.
Lycopene
Lycopene, the pigment found in sun-ripened tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables, has been shown to increase sperm count.
Zinc
Zinc is important to overall health and a critical component of healthy sperm quantity. It may also improve shape and motility.
Boosting your overall health with a daily prenatal vitamin is a great way to start nurturing your future offspring and show solidarity with your partner when trying to conceive. While men taking prenatals to improve fertility is not universally practiced, women taking a daily prenatal vitamin is highly recommended for fertility and especially for fetal development in the womb.
