Is Your Sperm Healthy? The Answer Could Affect Your Longevity.

As you may have heard, male fertility is on the decline. Sperm counts today are 58% lower than they were a century ago. 

In response, The World Health Organization keeps reducing the definition of "normal." It’s gone down four times since 1980. 

If this concerns you, it may be because you’ve considered becoming a dad. Most men think about sperm health primarily in the context of having children. 

But there’s another reason to be concerned. As it turns out, sperm is a sign of your overall health and potential longevity. 

Simply put, healthy sperm signals a longer, healthier life. 

In this blog, we’ll cover the fascinating world of sperm health—including how to keep your own semen strong.

Sperm health on the decline

Why is sperm health dropping? Bad habits, for one thing. But you can also blame the modern world.

Environmental toxins like microplastics take a big toll. As the name implies, microplastics are microscopic bits of plastic. And one recent study found these bits in every sample of testes the researchers examined. That was true for both humans and dogs alike. [1]

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are another problem. They can cause tissue damage and other reproductive issues. 

Together, these toxins can lead to problems like:

• Sluggish sperm: They wiggle less, making it harder to reach the egg
• Odd shapes: Sperm get misshapen, affecting their ability to fertilize the egg
• Damaged DNA: This can increase the chance of miscarriage and make in-vitro fertilization (IVF) less effective

Sperm health and longevity: The surprising link

Research shows sperm health may have a second role beyond reproduction. It may serve as a potent health indicator. 

Sperm health sits alongside grip strength and gut biodiversity as surprising biomarkers of overall health. 

Studies show men with higher ‌sperm counts have a significantly lower mortality rate. In one study, men with the highest sperm counts were 43% less likely to die during the study than men with the lowest counts. [2]

Watch the webinar: The sperm and longevity connection

How to improve your sperm health

The good news is you can improve your sperm health through lifestyle changes and targeted supplements. Here are some key strategies:

• Eat natural: Focus on fruits, vegetables, and good fats like omega-3s (think fish and flaxseeds). Ditch processed foods, sugary stuff, and too much soy. For a fertility boost, consider adding organ meats, fish, and shellfish.
• Consider supplements: Certain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can help. Specifically, L-carnitine, CoQ10, zinc, vitamin D, and omega-3s have been shown to improve sperm quality.
• Avoid toxins: Cigarettes and excessive alcohol use can both damage sperm. You should also avoid environmental toxins such as pesticides and herbicides, and try to limit the amount of plastic products you use daily. 
  Relax a little: If you carry a lot of stress, develop a chill-out plan. It could be meditation, outdoor cardio exercise, or listening to music in the bathtub.
• Ditch the tighty-whities: Your testicles perform best when they’re cooler than your body. Wear loose-fitting underwear so they can catch some breeze. 

Related reading: 6 Science-Backed Ways to Naturally Increase Testosterone

Beyond sperm count: Check your biomarkers

Want to know what’s going on inside your body? Blood biomarkers provide valuable insight. They can find hormone problems and other issues that may affect sperm production and quality. 

The biomarkers to look at include:

• Testosterone: The primary male sex hormone
• Estradiol: A type of estrogen that affects libido and sperm production
• Progesterone: Hormone that supports sperm and testosterone synthesis
• White blood cells: immune cells that have been linked to DNA damage
• Fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): Markers of blood sugar; high levels can cause oxidative stress, which leads to higher levels of ‌DNA damage

Testing with InsideTracker

Taking charge of your sperm health is an investment in your future. It helps you become a dad (if that’s your goal) and gives you a better shot at seeing your children grow old. 

InsideTracker wants to help. By combining your blood tests, DNA report, and fitness-tracker data, we can give you a complete picture of your health and clear strategies for improving the biomarkers that lead to healthy sperm.

Whether you’re looking to start a family or extend your life, we have the tools you need. Click the link to visit the store.

References:

1. https://academic.oup.com/toxsci/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/toxsci/kfae060/7673133?login=false
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19635736/