Men's Fertility

Benefits of Fish Oil for Men Include Better Heart Health, Sexual Health and More

With its high omega-3 fatty acid content, there is no shortage of the amazing benefits of fish oil for men, including immense advantages for both physical and mental health concerns. Here is what you need to know about how to get adequate amounts of this this nutritional gold and how it can help you to be healthier.

What is Fish Oil

Fish oil is full of valuable omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; while these essential fatty acids are used throughout the body, you are not able to produce them on your own. Because the human body can’t produce omega-3s, it’s important to be intentional about getting these nutritional powerhouses from various dietary sources or supplements.

The three most common types of omega-3s are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Although EPA and DHA are found in abundance in fish oil, ALA is derived from seeds and oils such as flaxseed, hemp, chia and common vegetable oils.

Good Sources of Fish Oil

The best dietary source of fish oil is fatty fish like sardines, salmon, tuna, herring and mackerel. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), it is advised to make fish a part of your diet at least twice per week. Unless you are intentional about eating a great amount of fatty fish each week, there is a good chance that you are not getting enough omega-3 fatty acids to see the immense benefits.

Other good sources of omega-3 fatty acids are certain plant oils, including canola, soybean and flaxseed. Chia seeds and walnuts are good sources if you need a quick and portable source. You may also find these omega-3s in fortified foods, including certain types of yogurt and eggs. Be sure to carefully read the labels if you are looking for foods that have been fortified with these fatty acids.

As with most of your nutritional needs, you can also look into supplements that provide fish oil as a viable way to provide extra insurance. If looking into supplements, keep in mind that studies have shown that taking a fish oil supplement with a meal that contains fat may work to boost the rate of absorption. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, a fish oil supplement is unlikely to cause major negative side effects.

Benefits of Fish Oil for Men

Now that you know where to find these essential fatty acids, you need to know why it is so important for you to make this effort. Here are some of the primary benefits of fish oil for men.

Heart Health

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for males in the United States. This statistic makes it worth the time to discover ways that you can help to mitigate this risk. Taking in adequate amounts of fish oil may reduce triglyceride levels and blood pressure. Additionally, the heart-healthy omega-3s may also lower levels of bad cholesterol in the body.

Sexual Health

So why is taking in the recommended amount of fish oil particularly beneficial to men? A 2020 study suggested that taking a fish oil supplement led to a higher volume of semen for men. Men who took a fish oil supplement also boasted a better profile for the hormone that regulates the production of sperm. Together, these results suggest that fish oil supplements may be beneficial in both fertility and sexual function.

Eye Health

A recent study showed that adequate amounts of fish oil could treat inflammatory eye diseases while also reducing the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In addition, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends getting a sufficient amount of fish oil in the diet in order to reduce the symptoms of dry eye.

Mental Health

A growing body of research indicates that people who struggle with depression may exhibit inadequate levels of omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, studies have demonstrated a link between low levels of fatty acids and cognitive decline. Other studies have shown that EPA and DHA may be helpful in fending off dementia, Parkinson’s disease and certain types of post-traumatic stress disorders.

Other Benefits of Fish Oil for Men

The benefits of fish oil for men do not stop with the above categories. Men who are intentional about getting the recommended daily amount of fish oil can also feel good about lowering the risk of developing prostate cancer, seizures related to epilepsy, stroke and more.

Over all, it is clear that it is a good idea for men to make the intake of fish oil one of the cornerstones of a healthy eating plan. With so many specific benefits to men, you owe it to yourself to make this commitment to obtaining a sufficient amount of fish oil from your daily diet. The specific benefits of fish oil for men make it worth the time to consider how it may be possible to improve your health and wellness via this avenue.

The Little-Known Connection Between Melatonin and Fertility

Nov 26 by Ewcopywriting

Many people associate melatonin with sleep — with good reason. Helping to regulate and maintain the circadian rhythm appears to be the most important and best-known role of this pineal gland hormone. However, melatonin also plays a variety of other important roles in the human body. According to recent studies on melatonin and fertility, it may play a very important role in helping couples to conceive.

Infertility: A Growing Modern Problem

For reasons that doctors and scientists do not fully understand, an increasing number of people are struggling with infertility. Only one in six couples trying to conceive will be able to do so in a reasonable amount of time, generally defined as around a year.

Infertility has classically been seen as a female problem, but men are contributing increasingly to low pregnancy rates. Causes that can be attributed to the male are now behind around 30 percent of infertility cases. For reasons that are not completely understood, sperm counts around the world have dropped dramatically and are continuing to fall. An increasing number of couples are seeking IVF and other fertility treatments, making reproductive technology one of the fastest growing fields of medicine. Despite this medical assistance, birth rates in the developed world are below replacement rates and continuing to fall.

What is causing this decline in fertility? There are several hypotheses, including estrogens in the water supply, increased pollution of water and air, radiation from smart devices and a general inclination to wait until later in life to conceive. Regardless of the cause, several studies suggest that melatonin may be part of the answer.

Could Melatonin Affect Egg Quality?

The rise in in-vitro fertilization has allowed scientists to study in depth what factors make an egg healthier and more likely to successfully become an embryo. The life cycle of an egg is complex and extremely important to fertilization, making it a popular avenue of study in the fertility world. Eggs, or oocytes, spend most of a woman’s life dormant in her ovary. When stimulated, a single egg begins to mature and resumes cell division. It matures in a follicle until it is released. From here, it travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus, where it is hopefully fertilized. If a couple is undergoing IVF, the egg is instead harvested.

Melatonin fluids in follicular fluid have been found to predict the health of the future egg. Melatonin also appears to protect eggs from oxidative stress during the collection and fertilization process, which in turn improves the chances of successful fertilization and implantation.

Simply giving melatonin to women trying to conceive has been found to improve egg quality as well as increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. Although these are all small studies, they definitely suggest that melatonin is crucial to conceiving and carrying a pregnancy, especially for women struggling with infertility.

Melatonin and Fertility in Males

Melatonin is important to the fertility of women, but it also appears to play a role in the fertility of men. High melatonin levels have been linked to sperm quality in both living men and in storage for insemination. This appears to be partly due to melatonin’s role as an antioxidant, preventing damage to DNA in semen.

However, melatonin may play another role as well, one that is increasingly important in the modern world: protecting sperm from damage due to pollutants. For men who live in areas where water and air quality are affecting fertility rates, this could be an immense advantage.

Although melatonin alone cannot cure male infertility (that we know of, at least), it appears to have an important role in male fertility. Men who are on the borderline between infertility and conception may especially benefit from taking a nightly supplement or from taking care to keep their natural production of melatonin high.

Links Between Circadian Rhythm and Fertility

Many of these studies have been performed in-vitro, on eggs that are fertilized in dishes for use in IVF and other reproductive technologies. However, the findings also likely apply to conceptions that occur the natural way. Because melatonin is a natural antioxidant and free radical scavenger, it can prevent cells from getting damaged from respiration and other activities. This is likely part of the reason that both eggs and sperm fare better when exposed to melatonin.

However, there may be other causes of the link between a healthy circadian rhythm and fertility. Melatonin appears to contribute to healthy hormonal cycles in women, which are essential for conception and pregnancy. In addition, people who have irregular melatonin may also have other health risk factors such as obesity or type 2 diabetes, as both of these have been linked to low melatonin levels.

There definitely appears to be a link between melatonin and fertility rates; one that may become increasingly important as infertility rates increase around the world. Although the causality remains in question, people nonetheless may find they are more fertile when they lead a healthy lifestyle, including getting plenty of sleep and keeping their circadian rhythm well-regulated.

Gut Bacteria Found to Influence Diet, Reproductive Success and More

Aug 09 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

A growing body of research suggests that bacteria in the gut influence overall human health. While past research has indicated that trillions of bacteria thriving in the human digestive tract can affect everything from immune system function and nutrition to mood, two new studies have found that gut bacteria influence diet as well as reproductive success in fruit flies. These new findings may have important implications for humans.

How Gut Bacteria Influence Diet

The digestive tract of humans and most other animals contain trillions of microorganisms that are known to affect many physiological traits. Two new studies from the Macquarie University Department of Biological Sciences and the University of Sydney’s SOLES department examined the impact of gut bacteria in fruit flies.

The research, which was published in Current Biology, found that gut bacteria in the flies had an effect on their foraging habits and ultimately their reproductive success. The research also indicated that this influence could be passed down to the next generation of fruit flies.

The teams found that fruit flies do not simply forage for nutrients that will balance their diet; they also forage for bacteria to encourage healthy cultures in their digestive tract. The fruit flies showed a strong preference for smells associated with beneficial forms of bacteria in food with less preference shown for foods lacking these types of bacteria.

Gut Bacteria Also Influences Reproductive Success

A separate study, conducted by the same team of researchers, examined the reproductive success of fruit flies based on changes in gut bacteria. Researchers began by inoculating fruit flies with different species of microbes to examine how the changes in gut bacteria influenced the sexual interaction of the flies.

This study, published in Biology Letters, found that the investment the flies make in reproduction and their ultimate success, along with offspring body mass, was influenced by bacteria in the gut.

Gut Bacteria Can Trick Flies Into Reproduction

These are not the only studies published this year on fruit flies and gut bacteria. Another study, published in PLOS Biology, demonstrated how the bacteria influence the flies’ nutritional decisions. Researchers divided the flies into three groups. One was fed a solution with all necessary amino acids and the second group received a mix of amino acids necessary to make protein but without the amino acids to synthesize it. With the third group, researchers removed amino acids one by one to analyze which could be detected by the bacteria.

After three days, flies in all groups received a buffet with their typical solution or the option of a protein-rich yeast. The flies in the groups without amino acids got a strong craving for the yeast to make up for the nutrients. When five types of bacteria were introduced, the flies lost the desire to eat protein. The team also found that the amino acid levels in the flies were not replenishing, which indicates the bacteria were not replacing nutrients in the flies’ diet by producing the amino acids but instead turning them into new chemicals. The researchers believe the bacteria was producing chemicals that may tell the host fly it could continue without amino acids. This would trick the flies into continuing reproduction, even though the deficiency would impact cell growth.

This study found that Acetobacter and Lactobacillus bacteria were the most effective at influencing the flies’ appetites. Increasing the levels of both bacteria could essentially suppress a fly’s appetite for protein and encourage sugar consumption, restoring reproductive function when it would normally be hampered by the nutritional deficiency.

Previous research has also shown that fruit flies prefer mating with partners who have a similar gut bacteria composition rather than flies whose gut bacteria is too different from their own.

Maintaining a Healthy Balance of Gut Bacteria

In humans and other animals, microorganisms in the gut and on the body—collectively called the microbiome—play a role in many physiological traits and behaviors. The immune system, gastrointestinal system and stress have all been found to interact. For example, psychological stress causes a near-immediate change in the population of gut bacteria, and some of the bacteria influence the effect of stress on the immune system.

Stress, through its effect on gut bacteria, and the immune system can also alter brain function. In some people, gut bacteria can play a role in anxiety, stress, depression and memory. Researchers have even found that to communicate, gut microbes can produce many of the same neurochemicals that relay information in the human brain. Among these neurochemicals are dopamine, serotonin and GABA, all of which are used by human neurons to regulate mood.

All of this research indicates that it may be more important than anyone really understands to maintain a healthy balance of gut flora. There are several ways to do this, including eating a diet rich in vegetables, legumes, fruit and beans, eating fermented foods like yogurt, kefir and sauerkraut, supplementing with a high-quality probiotic formula and cutting back on artificial sweetener, which may negatively affect gut bacteria.

Health Dangers of Smartphones Include Insomnia and Male Infertility

Oct 27 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Unless you live under that proverbial rock, you are likely familiar with the purported health dangers of smartphones. Although these devices make it easier to manage our busy lives and stay in contact with loved ones, more and more studies indicate that they may also pose health risks, even when not in use.

The Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation

Even when your phone is not in use, it’s still in contact with cellphone towers. It maintains this contact using a frequency known as electromagnetic radiation, allowing your phone to make its distinctive chime as soon as you receive a text or email. Electromagnetic radiation is very similar to microwaves. There have been conflicting studies regarding whether this type of radiation affects your health, but more recent research shows that the suspected health dangers of smartphones are likely a reality.

Exactly what are these health effects? Rats exposed to constant levels of this frequency of radiation develop brain tumors. There are also specific dangers for men who keep cellphones on their person or in a pocket, including infertility and potential testicular cancer. While our brains are partially protected by a skull, male reproductive organs have few defenses against the electromagnetic radiation, which can mutate sperm and make them unable to fertilize an egg. This is particularly unfortunate when you consider how many men keep their cellphone in their pants pocket.

Smart Phones and Sleep

Smartphones can affect not just our long-term health, but our daily lives. They emit a blue-tinted light that is easy to read in almost any setting, much like computers and tablets. However, this light can affect our circadian rhythms and make it more difficult to get the sleep we need. Blue light has a huge effect on melatonin production, and can even shut it down completely. When you read on your smartphone or another device before bed, you are stopping your brain from making the hormone it needs to induce sleep. This is especially true for adolescents.

However, blue light is not the only way that a smartphone may interfere with your sleep. Electromagnetic radiation also may interfere with sleep. Children appear to be more affected, as their growing brain tissues absorb four times as much of this radiation as adults. In addition, children often lack the self-discipline needed to turn off these devices and go to sleep. It is important for children to go to sleep in a room free of televisions, tablets and other devices that could have long-term effects on both their circadian rhythm and whole-body health.

Mitigating the Health Dangers of Smartphones

This news may be shocking to people who always have their phone in hand. However, most of us either cannot or will not eschew our electronic devices completely. We need them not just for work and time management, but for much-needed recreation and fun. If you plan on keeping your smartphone in your pocket despite these health dangers, there are a few ways that you can lessen the potential damage to your body.

Use a headset or speakerphone. Moving a source of radiation away from your body significantly reduces its effect on your cells.
Keep your phone out of your pants pocket. Stash it instead in a bag, on your desk, or in a shirt pocket.
Don’t sleep with devices in your bedroom. Smart phones are not the only sources of radiation; wireless modems and other devices also emit it. By keeping these in another room, you can reduce your exposure immensely.
Avoid using your phone when it has a low signal. It has to send out more radiation to continue making contact.
Limit your children’s usage of devices. Children are especially prone to negative effects from radiation because their bodies are still growing and their cells multiplying quickly.

It may be difficult to break the smartphone habit, but it will likely have a beneficial effect on your health. There are many ways to reduce the health dangers of smartphones, but simply putting it away may be the most effective.

Exploring the Connection Between Selenium Deficiency and Liver Health

Sep 12 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Selenium is a non-metal chemical element that the human body requires in very small amounts. There are 13 to 20 milligrams of this mineral present in your body at any given moment. Selenium plays a role in immune health, reproductive health, DNA synthesis, thyroid hormones and more. The most notable food sources of selenium include Brazil nuts, mushrooms and organ meats. It’s also present in smaller amounts in other animal products and grain. However, the selenium content of food can vary widely depending on the food’s geographical origin, as some soils have a higher selenium content than others.

It’s important to get enough selenium. Adults over the age of 14 should get 55 micrograms daily. Pregnant women should get 60 micrograms of selenium daily,and lactating women should get 70. Taking a dietary supplement containing this nutrient can have health benefits, especially if you’re at risk for low selenium. You might be at risk for low selenium if you’re undergoing long-term hemodialysis, smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, take birth control pills, or have a medical condition that causes malabsorption (such as Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, or HIV). New research indicates that there is a direct link between selenium deficiency and liver cancer.

The Link Between Selenium Deficiency and Liver Cancer

One of the most recently-discovered health benefits of selenium is that having enough in your body may help protect against liver cancer. Previous studies have already proven the antioxidant properties of selenium, which is amplified when selenium is combined with vitamin E. Possessing antioxidant properties means that this nutrient helps to protect against cell damage caused by uncharged molecules known as free radicals, which is a type of cell damage well-associated with the development of cancer.

A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that there is a relationship between selenium deficiency and liver cancer risk. These findings also extended to other biliary tract cancers, including cancers of the pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 21,000 Americans die from these cancers every year.

In the study, researchers analyzed data from about 477,000 adults over a period of a decade. Over 260 of these people developed liver cancer and other biliary tract cancers over this time span. It was found that the people who developed these types of cancer had significantly lower levels of selenium than everyone else. Compared to those with the highest selenium levels, people in the study with the lowest selenium levels were up to 10 times more likely to develop liver cancer.

Additional Health Benefits of Selenium

Having low selenium levels not only increases your risk of liver cancer, but it also increases your risk of death by any type of cancer. Scientists have also observed that selenium-rich geographical regions have lower cancer rates on average. Not very much research has been done yet on specific cancers as they relate to selenium intake. One study done in the Netherlands found that men with higher selenium levels have a lower risk of prostate cancer. Two studies to date also suggest that consuming lots of selenium can help protect against colorectal cancer.

Besides the link between selenium deficiency and liver cancer, getting enough selenium has many other health benefits. Selenium is needed for optimal reproductive health, as it contributes to sperm motility. If a man isn’t getting enough selenium, he may suffer from infertility. Selenium is also important for women’s reproductive health. There have been studies that showed that low selenium levels can decrease female fertility, affect fetal growth and possibly cause miscarriage.

Another one of the most notable health benefits of selenium is its benefits for cardiovascular health. Low selenium levels are common among heart attack patients, and severe selenium deficiency can cause heart failure. Another benefit that selenium has for heart health is that when combined with vitamin E and beta-carotene, it can help normalize cholesterol levels.

Selenium is also needed by the thyroid gland. The element is present in enzymes that activate and deactivate the various thyroid hormones. Therefore, getting enough of this nutrient is important for proper thyroid function. Studies have shown that taking a selenium supplement reduces inflammation in those with autoimmune thyroiditis as well as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Finally, studies have found that selenium levels decline as you get older. Low selenium can contribute to cognitive decline in seniors, as shown by a considerably large study that looked at nearly 1,400 people over a period of nine years. It is believed that this effect is due to the fact that selenium reduces oxidative stress (cell damage caused by free radicals), a factor that contributes to cognitive decline.