Vitamins for men for conception

If a couple meets the problems of conception, about 30% of such cases are due to the male factor. The inability of sperm to fertilize, in most cases, is associated with a violation of their quantity in the ejaculate or the motility of the spermatozoa. Two of these factors reduce the possibility of fertilization with the sperm of the egg. Some components of nutrition are designed to improve the quality of semen in men and increase the chance of conception when planning pregnancy.

Vitamin B12

Application of vitamin B12( cobalamin) improved the semen parameters as in the case of a low content of spermatozoa, and in case of their mobility. Being a water-soluble vitamin, cobalamin is still able to accumulate in the liver, kidneys, lungs and spleen. However, unlike fat-soluble vitamins, the deposition of vitamin B12 is not so significant, and can not have toxic effects even when using dosages that are inadequate to daily dosages. Excess amount of cobalamin without any changes is excreted along with urine.

Dosage. Daily requirement of vitamin B12 for men - 2-3 mcg. However, in order to increase the chance of conception, you can significantly increase the daily dosage. Future fathers should take into account that their partners during pregnancy, as well as breastfeeding, need a higher dose of this vitamin - 2.4-4 μg per day.

Food sources. Being a rather "powerful" vitamin, its daily norm is measured in micrograms, so it is not difficult to make up a reserve of cobalamin with food. And the vitamin has a stability to light and heat, and only slightly degrades when cooking. But, it is worth considering that vitamin B12 is contained only in animal food, with its greatest content in animal meat( liver, kidney and heart), marine products, egg yolk. Therefore, people who adhere to a strict vegan diet( no animal foods in the diet), may eventually have a deficiency of this vitamin, and need additional supplements to fill it.

Approximate availability in 100 g of product:

Fig.1 - The content of vitamin B12 in food.

vitamin deficiency is most often associated not with the lack of its consumption, and in violation of its absorption in the gastrointestinal tract as a result of various pathologies of the intestine, a syndrome of insufficient digestion and other causes. One possible solution for this vitamin deficiency, besides treating the underlying disease is the process for preparing injectable vitamin B12, as in this case, it passes into the intestine digestion as occurs with oral administration.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C due to its antioxidant effect, protects sperm from damage from hostile( acidic) environment of the female reproductive organs. Ascorbic acid helps to improve the basic characteristics of sperm: an increase in the number and mobility of spermatozoa. In a study dated 1987, a positive effect of vitamin C intake for healthy men with infertility was shown. At the end of a three-month course of taking ascorbic acid, all men were able to fertilize. For men who did not take vitamin C, but also participated in the study, there was no change in fertility.

In addition to antioxidant action, ascorbic acid has detoxification properties. This is especially true for men who are in the habit of smoking or are exposed to industrial chemical compounds. By the way, a man should give up smoking if he wants to increase his chances of conceiving a child.

Dosage. Take 500 mg of vitamin C for 3 months to analyze changes in seed quality. This is a large dose, compared with the recommended daily dosage of 70-100 mg. But since ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin and is not capable of accumulation, excesses easily leave the body together with urine. But the given dose more than covers recommendations to increase the intake of vitamin C during illness, stress and exposure to toxic effects.

Food sources. The most valuable food sources are sweet peppers, citrus fruits, kiwi, currants, greens. Such products should be consumed only in fresh form, as ascorbic acid is easily destroyed under the influence of temperature.

Approximate availability in 100 g of product:

Fig.2 - The content of vitamin C in food.

Selenium

Sterility is one of the symptoms of selenium deficiency in men. It is believed that selenium has a pronounced protective effect on spermatozoa and improves their mobility. Contains selenium in the body, including in the testicles and seminiferous tubules.

Selenium has a number of positive moments for masculine health. For example, the correlation between the deficiency of selenium and the occurrence of cancer has been absolutely proved, in particular those to which men are exposed( cancer of the colon and rectum, prostate, lungs).

In addition to improving the function of the gonads, selenium protects from the weakening of the heart muscle, preventing such disease-killers as heart attack, stroke, cardiomyopathy, etc. By providing a preventive effect not only on certain diseases, selenium promotes good health by stimulating the body's immune system.

Dosage. The daily requirement of selenium for men is 70-100 μg. When using additives, try to use a dietary supplement of selenium in the form of L-selenomethionine at a dosage of 100-200 μg per day. In the same dosage, sodium selenate and aspartate selenium are suitable.

Food sources. It is not difficult to replenish the supply of organic selenium in the body thanks to the Brazilian nut - the champion in the content of selenium. Only 2-3 nuts a day make up for the daily requirement for this trace element. Other main sources of selenium are seafood, animal meat( kidneys, liver), eggs. The content of selenium in cereals and seeds can be significant, but depends entirely on how rich the soil is with this trace element. Since in most countries of the world there is a depletion of soils with selenium, this situation leads to its deficiency, even with a balanced diet. Fruits and vegetables contain little selenium.

Approximate availability in 100 g of product:

Fig.3 - Selenium content in food products.

Zinc

Zinc is a unique microelement for men's health. He can be boldly given priority to the importance in the normal work of the sexual function of men. Zinc affects the quantitative and qualitative index of spermatozoa, and is also responsible for the synthesis of the main male hormone, testosterone. Symptoms of zinc deficiency in men are a decrease in potency( up to impotence), infertility.

Zinc exerts an immunomodulatory effect, fights infectious diseases and cancer, is necessary for the rapid healing of wounds. Zinc is especially necessary during puberty, as it is responsible for triggering the growth and development of the body.

Dosage. The daily requirement for zinc for men is 15 mg. The need for increased dosage arises with regular abuse of alcohol, unbalanced diet, therapy of sexual and reproductive diseases. In this case, there will be enough doses of 20 mg per day.

Food sources. The sources of zinc are marine products( oysters, crabs, fatty fish), sprouted wheat grains, meat and insects, oat flakes, nuts, etc.

Approximate availability in 100 g of product:

Fig.4 - Zinc content in food.

Read "Vitamins with zinc for men - a review of drugs."

L-arginine

L-arginine is an amino acid that is one of the structural units of a protein. Arginine directly participates in the formation and formation of seminal fluid, accounting for up to 80% of its dry matter. As the research data showed, the deficit of this amino acid was observed in patients with the violation of the main factors of sperm quality - the number and mobility of spermatozoa. The inclusion of the necessary amount of arginine in the diet contributes to the restoration of these two indicators to the level of normal.

Arginine supplements are used for sporting purposes to improve muscle nutrition and reduce subcutaneous fat. However, the effectiveness of this supplement for sports purposes has been refuted by numerous studies.

Dosage. Take 4 g of arginine daily for 3 months to compare the results.

Food sources. L-arginine is a conditionally indispensable amino acid, because it is able to be synthesized in the human body independently and under ideal conditions does not require additional application. However, this only applies to a healthy body. Most often, there is not enough synthesis to fully provide the body with the necessary dose of arginine.

Amino acid arginine is widely represented in food: contained in nuts( walnut, cedar), pumpkin seeds, chicken, pork, eggs, peas, etc.

Fig.5 - Arginine content in food.

Table 1 - Necessary vitamins for men for conception, their dosage and sources.