Vitamin C and fertility

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Natural fertility isn’t just about getting the woman healthy. Up to 30% of couples that struggle with infertility do so because of male factor, and another 30% have combined issues. But nutrition is equally important in men – their bodies must be nourished with the correct nutrients to support sperm production as well as the quality of the sperm.

A University of Texas study has shown that increasing the daily amount of Vitamin C in men, helps them produce more sperm, stronger sperm, and more mobile sperm. Sometimes the sperm count rose over ten times when men started ingesting the healthy amount of vitamin C.

Basically, because vitamin C is an antioxidant, it helps to protect the sperm and it’s DNA from damage thereby increasing the sperms quality. Sperm with damaged DNA can fail to thrive or fail to allow conception. And in some circumstances, it’s the damaged DNA that causes birth defects or a failure for the baby to thrive. It also helps to neutralize any chemicals or toxins found in the semen from things like environmental pollution, or smoking. (Another reason to quit before you try to conceive!) Along with it’s antioxidant properties, vitamin C seems to help sperm be less sticky, or clumped together, so that they are more mobile.

Foods high in Vitamin C:

• red peppers (1/2 cup has 142 mg)
• orange (70mg)
• broccoli (1/2 cup has 62 mg)
• kiwi (74 mg)
• papaya (62 mg)
• strawberries (5 of them have 51 mg)

How much should you take?
Currently the RDA amount for Vitamin C was recently raised almost across the board for all men, women, and children. What used to be 60mgs per day for men, now stands at 90 for non smokers and 120 for smokers. But fertility studies showing the effects of vitamin C were using 1000mgs, 3000mgs, and sometimes even more. So really, what you do is up to you! Personally, I’d start by making sure I get a least the recommended amount, if not a little bit more – especially if you have low sperm counts. If it doesn’t seen to help, try upping your dosage or taking a vitamin C supplement.

You’ll know when you’ve reached you limit for vitamin C in one easy bodily reaction – loose stools. You see, vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin, meaning that what the body doesn’t use, it eliminates. So you can increase the amount you take until you notice this reaction – you’ll then know how much your body needs each day.

*I should also let you know that taking aspirin, alcohol, or antidepressants has been shown to lower vitamin C levels in the body. And high doses of C can also make some medications not as effective, so check with your doc if you’re serious about taking large doses and are already on meds. About 3/4 of the way down on this page tells you a bit more about the safety of high vitamin C doses.

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