Think of your testicles as a factory where sperm is made. You want the
factory to produce a top-notch product, so you must make smart choices to keep
your workers happy and healthy.
Some factors related to fertility are beyond your control. But
you’d be surprised how much power you have over the health and vitality of your
sperm
“Sperm is a window on your overall health, therefore The
lifestyle choices you make have a big impact.
Trash the tobacco
Add
this to the long list of reasons not to smoke: It messes with your manhood.
Tobacco lowers your sperm count and makes your sperm less mobile. Evidence
shows that it may even corrode the DNA in your sperm, and put you at risk for
infertility and your partner at risk for miscarriage. Fortunately, the damage
is reversible if you quit.
Eat better
Avoid junk
food that is loaded with sugar, fat and preservatives. Stick to fresh, whole
foods instead. Fruits and vegetables are especially good because their
antioxidants and vitamins — especially vitamins C and E — have a positive
effect on fertility.
Work on your body composition
For better
sperm health (not to mention overall health), pair your healthy eating with
muscle-toning exercises. Your body’s ability to make sperm depends on having
the proper mix of hormones. Fat tissue can change that mix for the worse.
Drink alcohol in moderation
Social
drinking does not pose problems for sperm health. But excessive alcohol use and
alcohol dependency can cause your body’s hormones to shift, and create plenty
of other health problems. As with many things in life, moderation is the key.
Put down the pot
There are
many reasons not to smoke marijuana — including the fact that it’s illegal in
many places. But on top of that, marijuana can significantly lower your body’s
hormone levels and decrease your sperm count. The good news: Like
problems caused by other lifestyle choices, the damage is reversible.
Don’t take testosterone
A growing
number of men use testosterone, either illegally as a performance-enhancing
drug or under a doctor’s supervision. If you are planning a family, don’t use
it. Using testosterone shuts down your body’s natural production of the
hormone, which then shuts down sperm production. Consider this: Testosterone
has been tested — effectively — as a male contraceptive.
Get out of the hot tub
Sure, hot,
bubbling water feels great on aching muscles. But exposing your testicles to a
high level of heat in a hot tub can lead to fertility problems. These problems
are not permanent — and you can always hit the hot tub after you’ve started a
family.
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