Dear Member,
You may not be as virile as you think…
There may still be something that you aren’t even aware of wrong with your reproductive system. A recent study revealed that if you don’t get enough of a certain nutrient, you risk sterility—or worse.
Truth is, if you’re like most men, you’re probably not getting enough folate.
This is a member of the B complex of vitamins. Leafy greens like spinach and kale are especially rich in folate, along with dried beans, peas, and turnips. We’ve known for decades that it plays a critical role in female reproductive health, improving fertility and insuring the health of the developing fetus.
Turns out it’s just as important for male fertility.
In a study published in Human Reproduction, researchers found that men with low levels of folate also had a higher percentage of defective sperm, even though they were otherwise completely healthy.1
Meanwhile men who got between 700 and 1,200 mcgs of folate per day had 20-30 percent fewer damaged sperm.
This is especially dangerous for would-be fathers. The hazards go beyond the inability to conceive. Without enough folate, you could be at greater risk of having a child with Down’s syndrome and other serious birth defects—even miscarriage.
This underscores a point I stress to my male patients (and couples) all the time: often a simple change in diet and nutrition is all you need to restore optimum sexual health and function—and fertility.
I’ve actually been able to help many couples over the years who’ve been having difficulty getting pregnant—without prescription drugs, invasive surgery, or other risky procedures.
The study also highlighted the importance of several other nutrients in maintaining manhood: zinc and the antioxidants C, E, and beta-carotene.
I run tests for nutrient blood levels with new patients. Ask your doctor to do the same. If you’re running low on folate (or “folic acid”), you can boost it by getting more greens in your diet (organic if possible) or through supplements.
I usually get my male patients on 800 mcg per day, but as the study indicates, you can go as high as 1,200 mcg to enhance the health and integrity of your sperm cell reserves.
Zinc is one of the most important “rocks” men need to stay virile, insure optimum prostate health, and remain sexually active well into your advanced years. Because it’s found in highest concentrations in your prostate, you could say it’s the must-have “”man” mineral.
Take 30 mgs per day.
As for the antioxidants the study highlighted, you’ll want to take all of them—and more. You can find all of them in health food stores or on line (amounts are daily):
- Vitamin A – 2,500 IU
- Vitamin C – As much as two 5,000 mg per day in divided dose.
- Vitamin E – 400 IU
- Beta carotene – 20 mg
- CoQ10 – 30 mg
- Lutein – 20 mg
- Lycopeine – 20 mg
One other important point: don’t expect your average “one-a-day” multivitamin to deliver enough of these nutrients. Many if not most of them don’t even contain these nutrients. And they usually use synthetic rather than organic versions, which your body can’t absorb or use. For a great supplement with all the nutrients you need, click HERE.
Don’t take your virility and potency for granted. There can be hidden problems that you and even your doctor may not notice.
To Your Good Health,
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Al Sears, MD
1.Young et al. “The association of folate, zinc and antioxidant intake with sperm aneuploidy in healthy non-smoking men.” Human Reproduction. 2008. doi:10.1093/humrep/den036.