Male fertility: omega-3s protect spermatozoa
Male fertility: stronger and safer spermatozoa thanks to Omega 3 supplements
Omega-3-rich foods improve male fertility because they protect and refine sperm characteristics. The good news comes from the journal Human Reproduction, which published the results of a study led by Jill Attaman of Harvard Medical School in Boston, United States. In addition to the already known health benefits, data collected by the researcher indicate that Omega-3s may also help improve male fertility.
"Good" fats and "bad" fats: the difference
The belief that fats are health-damaging nutrients stems from years of research on overweight,obesity, and cardiovascular disease. However, fats are not all the same and should not be completely banned from the diet. In addition to being irreplaceable constituents of cells, these molecules perform important functions that, depending on the type of fat being considered, can also improve health. Such is the case with Omega-3s, essential fatty acids that undoubtedly have a beneficial effect on the body. In particular:
- They counteract inflammatory phenomena;
- reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disorders and arthritis;
- help the development and functioning of the nervous system.
Promoting male fertility with omega-3s
Attaman and colleagues have added a new piece to the mosaic of Omega-3 benefits. The researchers' aim was to evaluate the link between dietary fat intake and parameters that indicate sperm quality. The study involved 99 men who had visited a fertility clinic, with an average age of about 36 1/2 years. Participants were divided into 3 groups based on dietary fat intake levels.Sperm analysis revealed that high intake of these nutrients significantly reduced sperm count. In fact, compared with men who consumed the lowest levels of fat, those who consumed the highest amounts of fat had a lower total amount and concentration of sperm: 43 and 38 percent, respectively. However, the spermatozoa of men who followed adiet rich in Omega-3 had better morphological characteristics.
High-fat foods and sperm quality: significant association
Attaman pointed out that the combination of " high-fat food intake/sperm quality" offers further evidence of the potential benefits of reducing the consumption of these foods. Although further studies are needed to prove the existence of a cause-and-effect relationship, the findings confirm the importance of a healthy diet in ensuring one's fertility.
