Men with low sperm counts may benefit from taking supplements designed to increase both their numbers and quality of sperm, such as CoQ10, vitamin C & E supplements, selenium, maca extract etc.
Antioxidant supplements may also improve sperm parameters, and some have been studied through trials. Anastrozole and letrozole, in particular, have been proven to correct hormone imbalances that lead to low testosterone and reduced sperm production.
Coenzyme Q10:
Coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant, helps sperm concentration, motility, DNA fragmentation reduction, and mitochondrial energy production to be increased. Ubiquinol forms of CoQ10 have the most potency; their beneficial effects must be converted to Ubiquinol in order to have any meaningful impacts on male reproduction. Ubiquinone must first be converted to Ubiquinol before its beneficial properties can take place.
Oxidative stress contributes to male fertility issues and dysfunction, and evidence exists that supplementing with antioxidants such as CoQ10 can restore these parameters. Studies have demonstrated its efficacy by showing its intake increases sperm parameters among males with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia.
Alahmar et al conducted a randomized clinical trial comparing two dosages of CoQ10 (200 and 400 mg daily) on semen parameters, oxidative stress markers, seminal fluid SOD/CAT activity levels and overall health parameters in humans.
Results demonstrated that an extended 3-month course of administration significantly increased concentration, total and progressive motility as well as improving sperm morphology - not to mention basal levels of CoQ10 increasing significantly unani treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Vitamins C and E:
Vitamins C and E are powerful antioxidants, known for lowering oxidative stress levels in the body. Oxidative stress is caused by free radicals produced during normal metabolism that damage cells or even cause mutations - these high levels are associated with poor semen quality and fertility issues.
Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of supplementing with vitamins C and E with Selenium to improve sperm count, motility and morphology. Folic acid has also been associated with improving both sperm count and health.
Recent studies demonstrated the efficacy of taking 5mg folic acid daily as a means of improving sperm concentration, total motility and morphology without adverse side effects in infertile men.
A placebo-controlled trial with L-carnitine found increased concentration, motility, levels of FSH LH testosterone production as well as improving acrosome reaction rates among idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia patients enrolled. Furthermore, an improvement was noticed in their reaction rates to treatment as well.
Folic acid:
Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is an essential nutrient required for DNA synthesis and low levels are linked with reduced sperm counts and motility. One study demonstrated that supplementing with both folic acid and zinc significantly increased concentration, motility, morphology as well as reduced oxidative stress in testicles - in turn leading to improved DNA stability of sperm.
Vitamin C is an extremely potent antioxidant, capable of significantly reducing oxidative stress and protecting sperm cells against damage caused by free radicals. One study demonstrated this benefit by taking 2,000 milligrams per day for two months - increasing motility by 90% while also increasing unani medicine for male fertility.
Folate can be found in many foods and supplements, including liver, sunflower seeds, broccoli, bananas and avocados. A recent study demonstrated how taking an antioxidant blend (L-carnitine, coenzyme Q10, folic acid and zinc) may increase sperm count while improving quality.
Zinc:
Zinc is an essential trace element essential for several bodily processes, including growth and wound healing. Zinc also serves as an integral cofactor in DNA synthesis, transfer RNA synthesis and protein synthesis processes.
Folate and zinc both play key roles in spermatogenesis - folate being essential in producing sperm while zinc provides DNA binding capabilities enabling it to bind directly with DNA; both help regulate testosterone levels as well.
Zinc levels in seminal plasma tend to be significantly higher than blood serum. Zinc plays an essential role in spermatogenesis by participating in ribonuclease activity and helping form mature sperm tails. Zinc concentration in semen can vary based on pathologic conditions of the prostate gland as well as various semen parameters.
Studies have demonstrated that treatment with folic acid and zinc sulfate significantly increases total normal sperm counts and percentage of abnormal spermatozoa among subfertile men, likely as a result of increasing expression of low-molecular-weight proteins known as metallothioneins which help prevent oxidative unani treatment in surat e anzal.
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