One common issue about the difficulty in producing babies amongst married couples is the low sperm count and sperm quality. If you doubt this information please schedule a meeting with a Medical laboratory scientist who has records on those who come for testing. The statistics will shock you. Based on our tradition and cultural values, women have been erroneously labelled as the reason behind lack of babies in many home and as such called barren while in truth sometimes it is the hefty looking man with a low quality sperm that needs to be checked.

It is on record that low sperm count affects approximately one in 25 men. Stress, obesity, hormonal conditions and poor nutrition have been found to impact sperm health. If you and your partner are planning for a baby, a nutritional overhaul is a good place to start, to support healthy sperm production and development – although other approaches exist.

Two things are important in sperm quality; First is sperm motility which is the ability of the sperm to move in the female reproductive organ or through water to reach the egg and second is sperm morphology which is also called teratozoospermia. It describes what the shape and size of sperm should be for proper fertilization. The foods listed below have been found to be effective in proper motility and morphology of sperm.

Ginseng for Boosting Sperm Quality

The popular Asian Ginseng plant has been used by the Chinese in the cure of many ailments. No wonder it is making this list. It is a powerful herb known for its extraordinary effects on improving virility in men. It increases s*x drive and also enhances your s*xual performance.

It has been found to be quite effective in men with erectile dysfunctions, increasing semen volume and sperm production. Ginseng can be obtained in Nigeria from marketers of neutraceuticals and supplements.

Garlic

As a lover of garlic, the all round health effect is laudable. It is a very effective condiment that has been used for many years in the treatment various physical ailments including heart problems and respiratory infections. What most people don’t know is that it is also a potent aphrodisiac and very effective in boosting sperm volume.

It contains a compound called allicin which improves blood flow to the male s*xual organs, increasing sperm production and semen volume. Garlic also contains Vitamin B6 and selenium which controls the secretion of s*x hormones and reduces sperm damage.

Walnuts:

Walnuts had been one nut I love to eat as a young child but never knew of its numerous benefits. It is the only nuts with appreciable levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which many studies of male infertility have linked to better sperm quality, says researcher Wendie Robbins, PhD, of the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.

A daily consumption of this nut has the ability to aid proper sperm production.

Fatty Fish

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that men eating a higher amount of oily fish experience a boost in their sperm count by a massive 65% and the interesting part is that getting result is almost immediate because when you eat a fatty fish containing about 10% fat, you can get the boost by the night of that same day. Amazing? Yeah, I thought so too.

The best fish for fats that contain the DHA and omega-3s include salmon, swordfish, tuna and sardines. This post was updated to include these sources of sperm boosters because some of them are common here, easy to get and also inexpensive.

Carrot and Leafy Vegetables:

If you are truly serious about improving your fertility and sperm quality then a diet rich in vitamin A must be regularly consumed by you. Carrot is one vegetable loaded with this nutrient.

According to a study which was carried out by researchers from Harvard School of Public Health and Universities in Canada, Copenhagen, Murcia and New York, it reveals that there is an association between higher dietary consumption of food that contains more carotenoids and better sperm motility and greater number of sperm cells.

They looked at young men’s diets and analysed their sperm samples. They found that men who ate a higher amount of three antioxidants found in fruit and vegetables had sperm with better motility and morphology. The three antioxidants in question were: beta-carotene – found in carrots, lutein – found in lettuce and spinach and lycopene – found in tomatoes. It is also critical for you to make sure that you’re getting enough folic acid, because low levels may lead to birth defects such as spinal bifida and hydrocephalus.

Men with low levels of folate have more sperm with chromosomal abnormalities. The need to increase your sperm count, production, and motility is important and to do this, eating lots of dark green veggies and fruit may help.

Stay healthy!

Breakfast is the first meal of the day. As the name literally says it, breakfast is breaking the fast. A proper breakfast in the morning is a great way to start the day. It will take only a few minutes in the morning, but it can make a great difference on your health. And if you choose nutritious food to start your day, it improves your health greatly. So, do you skip your breakfast often? Here goes five facts you should keep in mind when you skip your breakfast next time.

To improve brain function

Breakfast is often referred to as food for brain. It is important to improve your cognitive function. Studies show that proper breakfast is necessary to improve attention, problem-solving ability and memory.

To enhance your energy levels

Skipping breakfast in the morning could be the reason behind the lack of energy levels during the day. As you already know, glucose is essential to keep your mind and body active. After the fast of 8 hours or more, breakfast is the fuel to charge up your body throughout the day.

To boost your metabolism

Consuming breakfast is essential to boost the metabolic functions of the body. As per studies, the meal in the morning keeps your metabolism function to a higher rate.

To protect your heart

Studies show that proper breakfast is necessary to keep your heart healthy. A healthy breakfast in the morning lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases and Type 2 diabetes.

To control weight gain

Many of us skip breakfast in order to reach our weight loss goals. However, studies show that skipping the morning meal results in weight gain as it keep you craving for sugary foods during the day. If you are constantly skipping breakfast, it leads to weight gain and not weight loss.

Stay healthy!!!

~Adeleke Olusegun Olaoluwa