that harm his fertility.
Remember when we all thought Mountain Dew affected a guy's sperm
count? Luckily, those days are gone ... and we're hoping no one actually
used the soda as a form of birth control. But, there still are some
very ordinary things that do influence a man's fertility.
From the unhealthy habits, such as drinking, to the stranger ones,
like putting on sunscreen, we're counting down the things he loves
doing that are decreasing his sperm production.
1. Wearing Sunscreen
Lathering up before a day in the sun may actually be protecting him
against skin cancer but it's also potentially impairing his fertility.
A brand new study from Longitudinal Investigation of Fertility and the
Environment (LIFE) found that chemicals commonly found in sunscreen
can impair male fertility by 30 percent.
When the skin absorbs chemicals which filter out UV rays, like BP-2 or
3OH-BP, it can interfere with his hormones. Researchers say men
concerned about fertility should wash off sunscreen when they head
indoors.
2. Eating Processed Meat
Trying to conceive? He may want to re-think those BLTs he's been
scarfing down every day. A new study found that processed meat, like
sausage or bacon, can significantly harm sperm quality.
I know, I know, he's probably thinking, take my eyes but not the
bacon, but the Harvard University researchers found that men who ate
half a portion of processed meat a day had 5.5 percent 'normal' shaped
sperm cells, compared to 7.2 percent who ate less. Instead, they found
that fish are possibly the secret to better sperm. Bacon, egg and
halibut sandwich, anyone?
3. Watching TV
Another reason he should hand over that remote? The couch isn't doing
much for his health, as you may have guessed. But, it's not just his
physique and motivation that are at risk as he kicks his feet up on
the sofa and inhales a bag of Doritos.
A study from the British Journal of Sports Medicine confirmed that men
who watch a lot of TV have fewer sperm than men who exercise
moderately or vigorously each week.
Couch potatoes who viewed more than 20 hours of television a week had
44 percent lower sperm count than men who watched almost no
television. Time to get moving, fellas.
4. Drinking
Turns out, the beer belly isn't the only bad side effect from his
favorite beverage. Drinking alcohol can lower testosterone levels,
which in turn leads to decreased sperm quality and production.
Moderation is key with drinking -- and hopefully he stops doing it on
the couch watching TV, too.
5. Not Having s*x
While we just ruled out some of his favorite activities, he will
probably be more apt to help remedy this sperm-zapper.
While some have said "saving sperm" until a woman is most fertile
could help couples who are trying to conceive, it actually has no
benefit and can make matters worse. For guys with low sperm counts,
abstaining from even one day of s*x can decrease their production even
further, according to researchers at Soroka University Medical Centre
in Israel. Abstaining from s*x also causes sperm to change in shape, a
sign that the sperm is going stale.
6. Stressing
Stress is bad for numerous emotional and physical reasons, but his
fertility is at risk too. Whether he's anxious about work or even
having a low sperm count, severe or prolonged stress can interfere
with testosterone production. We know some fun stress-busters for you
and you guy. Wink, wink.
7. Eating Soy
Whoever thought something as delicious (and addictive) as edamame
could be so detrimental to the reproductive system?
A 2008 Harvard School of Public Health study revealed that even half a
serving of soy a day was enough to harm a man's sperm production.
Isoflavones, which are found in soy products actually mimic estrogen.
More tofu for you.
8. Using His Laptop & Cell Phone
As addicted as he is to his two favorite pieces of technology, it
might be best for his sperm count to avoid using them for long periods
of time.
Researchers warn that the heat given off from laptops may increase the
temperature in his scrotum and reduce sperm production.
In 2008, a study revealed a strong association between cell phone use
and sperm count, saying that those who talked for four or more hours
had fewer, weaker sperm.
More recently, researchers discovered that men who carry their phones
in their pocket or on their belt (they still do that?) were more
likely to have fewer, inactive sperm.
....
Continue...
ReplyDelete9. Being A Vegetarian
Thought a plant-based diet pretty much made you healthy as a whistle? Us too. Until this study came out saying that a diet rich in fruit and vegetables may harm fertility!
Researchers at Loma Linda University Medical School found that vegetarians and vegans had much lower sperm counts compared with carnivores, 50 million sperm per ml compared with 70 million per ml.
They also had less active sperm. One third of sperm were active for veggies and vegans versus nearly 60 percent for meat eaters. What’s to blame? The guess is vitamin deficiencies and those evil soy replacements we just told you about.
—yourtango.com