March 4, 2014 by Michael Greger
Infertility is the diagnosis of 10-15 percent of couples trying to conceive, and in about half the problem is the man. A recent Harvard study found that just a 5 percent increase in saturated fat intake was associated with a 38 percent decrease in sperm count.
But why? This may be due to endocrine disruption due to industrial pollutants that accumulate in animal fats, in particular fish oil, and take a toll on male fertility, not only in terms of sperm count, but also in how well it works. .
A recent study found that the chances of successfully conceiving and implanting a fertilized egg are reduced in patients who reported more frequent meat consumption. Researchers believe that industrial pollutants and steroids present in animal products are to blame. They concluded that couples who have problems conceiving should be educated about the dramatic effects of nutrition.
Diet may affect the success of treatment in men and women, in line with previous findings that “frequent consumption of fatty foods such as meat products or milk may adversely affect sperm quality, while certain fruits and vegetables may improve sperm quality. It has also been found that the protective function of vegetables and fruits is related to the antioxidants and nutrients they contain.
How might a mother’s consumption of beef affect her son’s testicular development and negatively affect his future fertility? It is believed that this is due to the anabolic steroids that are fed to animals. However, according to the study, steroids can also interact with other xenobiotics – industrial chemicals present in meat, such as pesticides and dioxin, as well as with chemicals that may be present in the plastic that wraps products.
Heavy metals may also play a role. Lead and cadmium also do not contribute to successful conception. Where do these chemicals get into our body? The most common types of seafood sold in fish markets and supermarkets have been tested. The highest levels of cadmium have been found in tuna and lead in scallops and shrimp. Thus, information provided to the public about the risks associated with fish consumption (mostly mercury) does not provide a complete picture. There are other toxic metals in fish.