What’s the connection between omega 3 fatty acids and male fertility?
Excellent question! Here’s a more excellent response.
Many people are still investigating the topic of omega 3 fatty acids and male fertility; especially when it comes to sperm and sperm mobility. But numerous reproductive benefits have already been proven for omega 3 fish oil.
As further illustrated, fatty acids found in fish increases blood flow to the genitals; this has been a well established fact. It also decreases the blood pressure naturally, thus giving off a healthy prostate gland.
Such benefits from fish oil are essential to the act of reproduction.
Lower risk of erectile dysfunction and healthier blood pressure usually happens if there’s enhanced blood flow to the genitals. We also know that it’s quite difficult to reproduce if there’s some sort of challenge rising to the occasion.
Inflammation of the prostate, also known as prostatitis, has serious reproductive repercussions. It is therefore important for a man to supplement with fish oil regularly. Such natural anti-inflammatory ability of the fatty acids keeps the prostate to function in a healthy manner.
However, sperm delivery is only one part of reproduction. Sperm cells have to be many, strong, healthy and mobile in order for fertilization to happen.
Two things; cholesterol and oxidation within the sperm are reasons that can result in male infertility.
Crucial fatty acids and cholesterol make up a large part of sperm cell membranes. Omega 3 fatty acid which is found in fish oil is considered to be DHA which comprise 60% of the fatty acids. [Molecular Human Reproduction, Vol. 4, 111-118]
And it has been examined that fertile men have a much higher level of DHA in their sperm cell membranes as compared to infertile men.
Thus, DHA has an enormous outcome on the health and capability of the sperm.
The number of cholesterol found in the sperm is a different sign of infertility. The higher the cholesterol, the higher the infertility rate is. Cause of such is the presence of low fatty acids in the sperm. [Biology of Reproduction, vol. 59, 7-11]
The reason is that depletion of fatty acids would only mean a higher amount of cholesterol in the sperm membrane, thus keeping the sperm from growing.
Simply put, low fatty acids make it impossible for a man to make a woman pregnant.
But there’s more to that. Immature and abnormal sperm cells not only increase infertility but also create free radicals which cause oxidation and destruction of normal sperm cells. [Current Medical Chemistry, Vol. 8, 851-862]
Therefore, male fertility and fish oil omega 3 fatty acids are indeed a great connection.
Upon enhancing your essential fatty acid intake, fertility can improve especially with omega 3 with DHA. These can be found naturally in fish and fish oil.
Improving intake of fish oil would surely enhance the effectiveness of the sperm and thus gives a greater chance of reproducing.