Fertility diet should not be just restricted to the mother. DR Anubha Singh tells you why it is equally important for the father to take care of his fertility diet and the right supplements to maintain healthy testosterone levels
When it comes to reproductive health, we always think that it’s the woman that needs to take care of her fertility diet but there is still a lot that needs to be discovered and understood by couples. Eating well and maintaining a regular exercise schedule are great ways to pursue a healthy lifestyle at any age. But sometimes it's okay if we need an extra boost in the form of vitamins or supplements, especially for men.
It is said that consumption of prenatal vitamins is, in fact, one of the first things that a woman should do to reduce the risk of birth defects and make it conducive for both the mother and the baby. But, what about the father? Do prenatal vitamins exist for men, too? What’s the need for pre-natal for men?
So, what all men should take, let’s have a look:
Krill oil
Many of us are familiar with taking fish oil supplements for things like brain and heart health. Krill oil supplements are very similar to fish oil, except they come from crustacean species. Krill oil, just like fish oil, has high levels of EDA and DHA. These are two types of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are popular nutrients for improving heart health.
Ashwagandha
Many doctors agree that ashwagandha, a natural herb used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, has incredible benefits for helping with anxiety and increasing testosterone. The major problem with men over 40 experience is the steady drop in testosterone levels and this causes men to start packing on more abdominal fat as they get older. With this in mind, it's important for men to take supplements that help them maintain their normal levels of testosterone. Ashwagandha unlocks reserves of the body's testosterone creating up to a 400% testosterone boost.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral for sperm formation, and folate, the natural form of folic acid, depends on zinc to help form DNA in the sperm. Zinc is found in high amounts in animal foods, such as meat, fish, eggs, and shellfish. Furthermore, zinc supplements may reduce the decreased testosterone levels that are associated with excessive amounts of high-intensity exercise.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an important supplement for health, as it can help with things like bone strength, reducing risk of cancer, and improving overall mood. Vitamin D also enhances testosterone levels to prevent sleep apnea and low metabolism. Red meat, egg yolks, salmon are great sources of Vitamin D.
Probiotics
Probiotics are an important supplement for men to take to improve and maintain their overall health. Probiotics are living microorganisms that help the existing beneficial bacteria in our gut, supporting our digestive and overall health in the process. Yogurt, kimchi, traditional buttermilk, pickles, cheese etc are great sources of probiotics.
The writer is Medical Director, Shnatah Fertility Centre, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi