Insights & Discussion
Nutraceuticals like zinc, vitamin D, l-arginine, mucuna, ashwagandha, tribulus, and ω3 fatty acids, along with lifestyle changes, can mildly improve male testosterone levels and sperm parameters.
A comprehensive scoping review was undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of nonpharmacologic interventions such as dietary supplements, herbal remedies, diverse diets, sleep patterns, and various forms of physical exercise. The study was aimed to understand their potential in enhancing male health by improving testosterone levels and sperm parameters, especially in men with hypogonadism or fertility issues.
Results indicated that among a multitude of nutraceuticals and functional nutrients that claim to stimulate testosterone production, only a select few, including zinc, vitamin D (in cases of its deficiency), l-arginine, mucuna, and ashwagandha, based on well-conducted randomized clinical trials, showed positive results in men with low testosterone levels and related complications. Except for l-arginine, these and other natural substances like tribulus and omega-3 fatty acids showed potential to enhance sperm parameters in infertile men. Implementing proper diet, ensuring adequate sleep and regular exercise are considered crucial, particularly in obese patients. It's also highlighted that androgen receptor content is potentially more significant in muscle hypertrophy than endogenous androgens. While the impact of nonpharmacologic interventions on testosterone levels are modest and do not translate into significant clinical benefits, some supplements and herbal medicines could serve as adjunctive approaches in testosterone and sperm health management. However, proper use of nutraceuticals involves personalised consideration by care providers.
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Ginger significantly improves sperm health, enhancing quality parameters like count, viability, motility, morphology and DNA integrity, thereby boosting fertility.
2021 Veterinary Medicine and Science A systematic review on the effect of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) on improvement of biological and fertility indices of sperm in laboratory animals, poultry and humans Gholami‐Ahangaran M, Karimi‐Dehkordi M, Akbari Javar A, Haj Salehi M, Ostadpoor M
Systematic Review Ginger Male Fertility Sperm Quality
The study investigated the impact of ginger on semen quality across different species. It focused on key sperm parameters including count, viability, motility, morphology, and DNA integrity. The research pointed to the antioxidant properties of ginger, attributed to active phenolic compounds, which disrupt the production of free radicals - these are known to cause oxidative stress and negatively impact the quality of sperm. The study also noted ginger's androgenic activity and the associated influence on the levels of gonadotropin and sex hormones, such as testosterone.
In the discussion of results, it was identified that ginger minimizes DNA failures, reduces damage to the mitochondrial genome in sperm cells, and essentially moulds a sperm with apt morphological structure. The sperm, under the influence of ginger, attains progressive motility, high viability, and increased fertility. Overall, the entire fertility indicators of sperm also saw an upswing with the usage of ginger - reinforcing its effectiveness in increasing the total motility, survival rate, the normal morphological structure of sperm, and the number of sperm cells.
Date palm fruit extract may mitigate some harmful effects of formaldehyde on male fertility by improving testosterone, sperm, and testicular conditions.
2020 International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM) The prophylactic effect of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruit extract on testicular toxicity induced by formaldehyde: An experimental study Zaren M, Haghpanah T, Asadi Shekari M, Hassan Eftekhar-Vaghefi S
Experimental Study Date Fruit Male Fertility Sperm Quality
The study divided thirty-two male mice of similar ages and weight ranges into four groups. The control group was given distilled water orally for 35 days. The Formaldehyde group received a Formaldehyde dose for 20 days. The third group took a Date fruit extract dose for 35 days followed by a Formaldehyde dose for 20 days while the last group was administered Date fruit extract for 35 days. Following these treatments, blood was collected and epididymis and testis tissues analyzed to evaluate sperm characteristics and conduct a histological examination respectively.
Results showed that formaldehyde administration increased sperm deformities, decreased sperm count, livability, and motility, and reduced testosterone levels in comparison to the control group. Histological assessments showed that formaldehyde induced changes in the testes, including damage to the germinal epithelium and vacuolization of the tubules. However, the consumption of Date palm fruit extract was found to ameliorate the effects noticed due to formaldehyde on testosterone levels, sperm, and testicular parameters.