Page 42 - Urological Health

C. Fertility and Sexual Function

We assume that our diets affect both our fertility and sexual function. Most people have heard that
saltpeter (known by its chemistry name potassium nitrate) may have been used in institutions (such
as prison) to calm down sexual drive (an interesting story but really has no scientific evidence!). But
what foods do affect our sexual health?
1) Fertility

a. Males: This is poorly understood. Studies looking at men who had difficulties getting
their partners pregnant suggest that things males eat may affect their sperm quality and
pregnancy success.

i. Factors that may impair sperm’s ability to fertilize the egg are: alcohol, coffee,
weight loss diet, obesity, and frequent intake of meat (and/or processed meat).

ii. Factors that may enhance the sperm’s ability to fertilize the egg are: vegetables and
fruits, and whole grains and cereals.

b. Females: There has been much more research done with females who have difficulty
getting pregnant, but there is still much work to be done. Several dietary factors have
been identified. They can be separated into macronutrients (foods that provide energy:
fat, carbohydrates, and protein) and micronutrients (small parts of the foods we eat that
UNDER REVIEW
our bodies cannot make themselves but are required for life).
i. Macronutrients: Greater intake of carbohydrate foods and higher protein intake
(specifically animal protein) seemed to impair pregnancy success. Fat intake overall
was not shown to affect this success rate. There is a suggestion that the
“Mediterranean diet” is better for pregnancy success than the common diet of
North America. The Mediterranean diet typically consists of abundant plant foods
such as vegetables, whole grains, legumes, beans, nuts, seeds, and fresh fruit as the
typical daily dessert. Olive oil is the principal source of fat. Fish and seafood is
consumed often, at least two times per week. Poultry, eggs, cheese, and yogurt, are
consumed in low to moderate amounts, daily to weekly. Red meat and sweets are
consumed in limited amounts, no more than a few times per month. Although wine
is typically on this list, females should not drink alcohol if they are trying to become
or are pregnant.

ii. Micronutrients: There is a suggestion that taking a multivitamin increases chances
of success for pregnancy. It is well known that all women should take folic acid (in
the form of a small pill) prior to trying to get pregnant as it decreases the chances of
having a baby with a birth defect known as “neural tube defect” that affects a baby’s
nervous system.
What to do?

For males:
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

• Minimize alcohol and coffee intake.
• Eat low amounts of red or processed meat.

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