Vitamins to increase sperm count and boost male fertility

We’re a nation determined to take charge of our health: one survey found that 34% of UK consumers took a daily supplement, while 59% reported taking a vitamin, mineral or supplement at least once over the course of a year.

While it may be habit to reach for a supplement to boost energy levels, have you ever thought about vitamins to increase sperm count? In fact, there is a whole host of vitamins, minerals and supplements that the experts believe can make a real difference to male fertility levels. If you’re trying to conceive and have already lost any excess weight, given up smoking and are following a healthy diet, adding something extra to your daily routine could really make a difference to your chances of starting or adding to your family.

When it comes to vitamins to increase sperm volume, you need to understand what effect the vitamin or supplement will have on your body. There are plenty of options available, all of which can make a significant difference with regular supplementation and when combined with other lifestyle changes.

So, if you’re wondering what vitamins will increase sperm volume, we’ve done some of the research for you. Below you’ll find some of the most powerful fertility boosters for men.

D-Aspartic Acid (D-AA)

This catchily-named amino acid has been lauded for its positive role in male fertility. One study found that levels of D-AA were significantly reduced in men who were infertile, in comparison to their fertile counterparts.

A number of studies have looked at the impact of supplementing with D-AA, and they have found that it can increase testosterone levels, as well as sperm count and motility. Testosterone’s role in the body is integral to reproduction. In fact, men with low levels of the sex hormone can experience decreased libido, erectile dysfunction and infertility.

But, before ordering a D-AA dietary supplement, it’s wise to get your testosterone levels checked. Abnormally high levels can be as harmful to your family planning as those which are too low. One study revealed that 88.4% of men who took testosterone supplements without a medical need to do so were found to have a sperm count of zero.

Vitamin D

The so-called sunshine vitamin could also help bring a little extra bit of sunshine to your life by boosting your chances of having a baby. Although there aren’t yet reams of expert studies, there are some interesting findings from research which should be more than enough to encourage you to try it.

One study concluded that men with good levels of vitamin D had higher levels of testosterone, which is linked to positive fertility outcomes. A smaller study also supported these findings, and additionally found that men with low testosterone levels saw an increase of the hormone by around 25% when they took a daily 3,000 IU dose of vitamin D3 for a year.

Vitamin C

Taking a daily vitamin C supplement can do more than just boost your immunity. Research into this antioxidant vitamin has found that it can also boost your chances of conceiving. Experts largely believe this to be as a result of vitamin C’s impact on reactive oxygen species (ROS) which occur as a result of oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress occurs when our body’s antioxidant defences are overwhelmed – often by disease, the ageing process, our lifestyles or environmental pollutants. Crucially, research has linked high levels of ROS to male infertility. Vitamin C is an antioxidant vitamin and so it can help tackle the harmful effects of damaging ROS. In fact, one study of infertile men found that sperm motility increased by 92% and sperm counts by more than 100% when study participants took 1,000-mg vitamin C supplements twice daily over a two month period.

Zinc

There’s a reason why many romantic dinners see oysters on the menu – rich in zinc, these shellfish are renowned for boosting fertility. Poor zinc levels are associated with low testosterone levels and poor sperm quality which researchers say can lead to poor fertility outcomes.

Zinc can’t be stored in the body so regular supplementation or inclusion in the diet is vital if you wish to boost your fertility. One study went as far as to call it an essential element for male fertility and said it potentially had an important role in preventing, diagnosing and treating male infertility.

Take control of your fertility

While no amount of daily supplements can guarantee a baby, it could just tip the scales in your favour for some couples. For others, they may find that they need some extra help from the experts to achieve their dream of building a family. If you’re unsure about your sperm quality, you should start by booking a semen analysis to learn more about your situation. If you find your sperm quality has not improved after ruling out any contributing factors, IVI are here to support you. To find out more about how we work, we’d love you to join us at one of our virtual open evenings or you can contact us to start a conversation about how we can help on your journey to parenthood.