Your dream of a growing family depends on two main things: a healthy egg and healthy sperm. You need both for a successful pregnancy. While many fertility resources focus on women, there are plenty of things men can do to help support sperm health and overall fertility to achieve their goal: a positive pregnancy test.
What helps support male fertility?
Many factors contribute to male fertility, and while you don’t have complete control over some, like age, most are modifiable lifestyle factors that can help support sperm health.
- Avoid smoking. Tobacco is associated with lower sperm count and decreased sperm morphology (shape).
- Limit alcohol consumption. Heavy alcohol use can affect testosterone levels and sperm production.
- Regular physical activity. Incorporating exercise into your daily routine can help support healthy semen quality and overall fertility.
- A balanced diet. Nutrition plays a huge role in male fertility, and a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats helps make sure you get all the nutrients you need to support sperm health.
But, there’s one male fertility nutrient that’s probably lacking – even in the most balanced diets: coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).*
What is CoQ10?
CoQ10 is a vitamin-like nutrient found in small amounts of certain foods, like meat, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds. It’s also in nearly every cell of your body, and research has found a link between this nutrient and male fertility.*
How can CoQ10 help support male fertility?*
CoQ10 lives in the mitochondria of your cells, which is commonly known as “the powerhouse of the cell.” So, it makes sense that CoQ10 plays a huge role in energy production within the body, and researchers believe this is responsible for the connection between CoQ10 and sperm motility.*
Research also shows that CoQ10 helps support healthy sperm morphology (shape), likely because of its antioxidant properties that help it keep your cells (including sperm cells) healthy.*
Should you take a CoQ10 supplement?
CoQ10 has some promising benefits for male fertility, but because it’s only present in small amounts in food, your daily intake is probably pretty low. That’s where a high-quality CoQ10 supplement can help.* Talk to your doctor to find out if a CoQ10 supplement would be beneficial for you as you try to conceive.
If you do decide to add CoQ10 to your supplement routine, be sure to choose a CoQ10 supplement that you can trust – one that’s independently tested and certified by an organization like NSF International or USP. This is your best guarantee that your supplement has everything it should, and nothing it shouldn’t.
Men play an equally important role in fertility and starting a family. So, if you’re trying to conceive, focus on a healthy diet and lifestyle habits to maximize sperm health, and consider CoQ10 for extra antioxidant support.*
Interested in learning about other nutrients to support male fertility? Check out this blog next: “Do Men Need a Prenatal, Too?”
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