Functional medicine from our Toronto clinic may be applied to male infertility and sexual health concerns. In fact, studies have shown that poor sperm quality is increasing worldwide, and scientists attribute this to toxins related to factors such as environmental surroundings and diet.
However, clinical nutrition and functional medicine wisdom could assist with optimizing male fertility. This is because individual shortcomings might impact sperm potency and quality, such as nutritional deficiencies or hormone imbalances. Keep reading to learn about nutrients that might foster male fertility. We then highlight how functional medicine practitioners can help, plus details about our functional and integrative medicine clinic.
Male fertility-supporting nutrients
If you have specific health goals related to family planning, consider these nutrients:
- Coenzyme Q10: This supplementation may enhance the fertility potential and reproductive consequences of men with idiopathic infertility. Known as CoQ10, this coenzyme has been shown to upgrade both sperm motility and concentration. Plus, the antioxidant status of semen has been verified to improve in infertile men using CoQ10.
- Acetyl-L-carnitine: studies have conducted the effects and benefits of L-carnitine on sperm quality. In one study, 60 infertile men between 20-40 years old were provided L-carnitine. The results revealed increased motility and significant improvement of straight progressive velocity after three months of supplementation.
- Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia): Some functional medicine patients know this herb by its other name, longjack, and it’s been studied for its fertility-promoting effects. Results from one study proposed that longjack considerably improved semen volume, concentration, motility, and increased the percentage of “…morphologically normal sperm in men with idiopathic infertility,” stated an article from the Asian Journal of Andrology. Spontaneous pregnancies resulted in 14.7% of the couples who participated in the study.
- Zinc: this mineral is vital for sperm formation. Oxidative damage might affect sperm quality. But scientists postulate that zinc can ward off reactive oxygen species, which are the molecules that help form oxidative damage and trigger poor cellular health.
- Ashwagandha: Taking the herb for infertility resulted in significant results during one study. Sperm concentration in men given ashwagandha root was boosted by 167% after 90 days of treatment. Meanwhile, the average of semen volume was enhanced by 53%; sperm motility showed a 57% increase. When compared to the baseline, serum testosterone was augmented by 34%.
Are you ready to elevate your fertility? Then clinical care like ours could offer insight into your health.
What to expect from functional medicine services
Consulting with a functional medicine practitioner can be beneficial for male fertility. This is because treatments are specifically customized for your personal biology. For example, during your first session at our clinic, functional medicine testing is discussed to verify hormone and nutrient levels. Once lab tests have been reviewed, a comprehensive treatment plan is personalized for your health goals. A mixture of treatments may be considered for fertility purposes. Some of these clinical therapies* may include:
*Each patient has their own expression of health due to personal factors, so conventional or holistic treatments outside of this list may be recommended, too.
- Customized nutritional formulas: If your functional medicine lab tests results show that you’re deficient in certain nutrients, we may recommend this treatment to support health goals. This could be an ideal solution for patients who struggle with optimal diet intake.
- Lifestyle modifications: According to a report from the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, “Nutrition can affect, negatively or positively, sperm quality, and this effect depends on both quantitative and qualitative aspects of a diet, such as the calorie content of each macronutrient …as well as on the specific fatty acid, carbohydrate, and protein profiles.” Thus, dietary changes may be implemented for supporting male fertility, for example, eating the Mediterranean diet.
- Hormone replacement therapy and/or medications: These may be advised for certain circumstances, such as when infertility is caused by high or low levels of certain hormones, or if there are issues with how the body uses hormones.
How our clinical practice works
Based in the GTA, our healthcare providers offer help in uncovering tools for stress management and optimal function. Some of these health tools are based on Western medicine (allopathic treatments), Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbal medicine, naturopathic medicine, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, and more.
IV therapy is available in our IV Lounge, where we freshly compound IV treatments. Therapy drips are customized under the integrative functional medicine model; this is how we uniquely tailor drips for your needs only!
Next to infertility, a wide range of health concerns can be addressed. Other health issues we offer aid for include: digestive issues, body aches, sleep issues, celiac disease, acid reflux, chronic symptoms, and other aspects of health. Always know that collaboration is embraced by our healthcare providers. As a patient of ours, you can actively take part in building your treatment plan, which can inspire you to stick to your health goals.
Level up your mind and body today! Our clinic’s personalized approach can provide wellness support for sexual health, chronic disease, brain health, and more. Click here to request your first functional medicine Toronto session.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.
Recommended Reading: Our Functional Medicine Toronto Practice Features Polyphenol Types
References:
Alahmar AT. The impact of two doses of coenzyme Q10 on semen parameters and antioxidant status in men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. Clin Exp Reprod Med. 2019 Sep;46(3):112-118. doi: 10.5653/cerm.2019.00136. Epub 2019 Aug 14. PMID: 31408928; PMCID: PMC6736512.
Ambiye VR, Langade D, Dongre S, Aptikar P, Kulkarni M, Dongre A. Clinical Evaluation of the Spermatogenic Activity of the Root Extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in Oligospermic Males: A Pilot Study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:571420. doi: 10.1155/2013/571420. Epub 2013 Nov 28. PMID: 24371462; PMCID: PMC3863556.
Balercia G, Regoli F, Armeni T, Koverech A, Mantero F, Boscaro M. Placebo-controlled double-blind randomized trial on the use of L-carnitine, L-acetylcarnitine, or combined L-carnitine and L-acetylcarnitine in men with idiopathic asthenozoospermia. Fertil Steril. 2005;84(3):662-671.
Colagar AH, Marzony ET, Chaichi MJ. Zinc levels in seminal plasma are associated with sperm quality in fertile and infertile men. Nutr Res. 2009 Feb;29(2):82-8. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2008.11.007. PMID: 19285597.
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