Lifestyle and sperm quality
While multiple studies have shown the benefit of antioxidant supplements in improving male fertility, what effect excessive supplementation has isn’t clear. This post combines a new study with older studies that show high levels of supplements can harm male fertility. However, these studies all have their limitations, and better quality research is needed to draw conclusions.
In this post, we’ll explore various endocrine disruptors present in the environment and consumer products, which can interfere with hormonal action and adversely affect reproductive health and fertility. We’ll focus on bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, dioxins, pesticides, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), as well as parabens and phenols, and also discuss methods to minimize exposure to these chemicals.
Researchers in a 2023 study evaluated 34 common male fertility sperm supplement brands for safety and efficacy. They found that the majority exceeded the recommended daily allowance, with two that exceeded the tolerable upper intake level. Less than half had supporting studies for their use, with the overall quality of evidence being ranked as poor.