What’s the connection between omega 3 fatty acids and male fertility?
That’s such a great inquiry with an even greater reply.
Exploration in omega 3 fatty acids and its association with male fertility in the field of sperm and sperm mobility are still on-going. But there are already several benefits and positive effects confirmed for omega 3 fish oil.
As a case in point, it has been accepted that the fatty acids in fish increases blood flow to the genitals. It also decreases blood pressure in a natural way, supporting a healthy prostate gland.
Such benefits from fish oil are essential to the act of reproduction.
Lower risk of erectile dysfunction and healthier blood pressure usually happens if there’s enhanced blood flow to the genitals. We also know that it’s quite difficult to reproduce if there’s some sort of challenge rising to the occasion.
Prostatitis is a disease that involves the swelling of the prostate; the disease has serious reproductive repercussions. It is essential for a man to supplement with fish oil on a regular basis so as to have the natural anti-inflammatory ability of the fatty acids to keep the prostate in good shape.
But delivering the sperm is just one stage of the whole process. They have to be healthy, plentiful and mobile to be able to reach fertilization.
Two things; cholesterol and oxidation within the sperm are reasons that can result in male infertility.
Important fatty acids and cholesterol comprise a vast part of sperm cell membranes. 60% of the fatty acids are DHA, which is commonly found in fish oil as the omega 3 fatty acid. [Molecular Human Reproduction, Vol. 4, 111-118]
And it has been confirmed that unproductive men have an alarming lower rate of DHA level in their sperm cell membranes as opposed to fertile men.
Therefore, DHA is indeed a catalyst in its effects to the well-being of the sperm.
Cholesterol count in the sperm is another sign of infertility. More cholesterol means more infertility. Such is believed to be caused by low fatty acids in the sperm. [Biology of Reproduction, vol. 59, 7-11]
The reason is that depletion of fatty acids would only mean a higher amount of cholesterol in the sperm membrane, thus keeping the sperm from growing.
Simply put, low fatty acids make it impossible for a man to make a woman pregnant.
But there’s more to that. Immature and abnormal sperm cells not only increase infertility but also create free radicals which cause oxidation and destruction of normal sperm cells. [Current Medical Chemistry, Vol. 8, 851-862]
Accordingly, fish oil omega 3 fatty acids and male fertility are indeed counterparts.
Be aware that the only natural source for DHA is found in fish and fish oil. And such elements improve your fertility if you increase your intake of these important fatty acids, especially omega 3 with DHA.
Improved fish oil intake means improving the sperm. Thus, increases your likelihood of reproducing.