Cigarette smoking is one of the main causes of life-threatening diseases, such as, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cancer of the lungs, bladder, cervix, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, and stomach. On top of all these reasons not to smoke, recent studies show that there is a strong link between smoking and male infertility.  So, why is smoking so bad for your fertility?  The smoke consumed from cigarettes has been proven to have a detrimental effect on various parameters of semen analysis, and of course, we know that healthy semen is essential for conception.    Below is an excerpt from: The Effects of Cigarette Smoking on...

There are several factors that can lead to male infertility. Among these are environmental factors, such as, poor diet, lack of sleep, high stress levels, and... heat.  In order for the testes to produce enough healthy sperm, the temperature of the testicles must be between 3.5 to 7 degrees lower than the rest of the body.  So, which underwear is better for your fertility?  Boxers  If you’re a boxer's guy, this is great news! Boxers allow for more air flow to your testes which in turn means they are more likely to be kept cool. "Testes were made to be...

The testicles are located outside of the body for a reason. This is because, for healthy sperm production, the testicles need to be between 3.5 to 7 degrees cooler than the rest of the body's temperature.  Various lifestyle factors raise our bodies temperature, which can hinder our chances of conception. Now, these things are easy to miss and are activities you probably do most days, without thinking they could harm your fertility.  But, don't worry! We've compiled a list of the main culprits to watch out for:  Hot tubs and hot showers – Although these are relaxing and de-stressing, wet heat has been associated with decreased semen parameters in men....

  A new study has found that eating more nuts can improve men’s sperm count.   So, what is it about nuts?  Nuts are rich in antioxidants, minerals and vitamins, that are essential for maintaining overall health. Some of their key nutrients are: Zinc, folate, vitamin E and magnesium. As well as being beneficial for general health, these nutrients have been linked with maintaining healthy sperm count and motility.  A recent study conducted an experiment over 14 weeks to assess the effect of nuts on sperm health. The participants were split into two groups. One group added 60 grams - about...

We know that sleep is vital for our bodies to function healthily. But how does sleep relate to male fertility in particular?   Studies show that a lack of sleep can significantly raise stress levels, which can lead to a multitude of health problems, including infertility.   But it’s not just the stress element that affects fertility.  For both men and women, the same part of the brain which regulates sleep-wake hormones (such as melatonin and cortisol) also triggers a daily release of reproductive hormones. So, if you’re not getting enough hours of shut eye, this could be a contributor to your...

Now, you might be thinking, ‘Meditation is about stillness, whilst running is a whole-body workout, so how do these two go together?’  The answer is...breath.  Various studies have shown that both running and meditation help you enter, ‘flow state,’ by taking longer, deeper breaths, than the shorter ones you take in your day to day life. Flow state, coined in 1975 by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, is the state which a person enters a fluid state of energized focus, whilst performing an activity. Many professional athletes and musicians try to control this state, in order to maintain peak performance, for long durations of time.  To better understand...

We know that obesity can lower a man’s fertility and that a healthy body is paramount to having healthy sperm. Although exercise is important, experts say that too much exercise can actually hinder your health.   So, if you’re a gym fanatic who loves his HIIT workouts, you may need to rethink your routine... A recent study assigned participants to four groups. Moderate intensity continuous training (MICT), high intensity continuous training (HICT), high intensity interval training (HIIT), and a control group that did no exercise.  After completing the 24-week program, the MICT exercise group demonstrated the most improvement in sperm quality...

Testosterone, or as you may know it, ‘the manly hormone.’   It’s true that we tend to associate testosterone with manliness...conjuring up images of hairy cavemen gnawing on meat. But there’s a scientific reason behind this!  Although testosterone is a hormone present in both men and women, it plays a more significant role for men. It affects bone and muscle mass, the way fat is stored in the body, and even red blood cell production. A low level of testosterone can result in a loss in libido and low sperm production, which are of course essential for conception. A man’s testosterone levels...

Ah, veganism...the endless debate.   Is it good for you or is it not? The world loves to discuss this ethical diet and how it can help or hinder your health. With so many contradictory articles out there, it can be distressing and confusing to form an answer.  I’ve experimented with veganism for the past few years, so I understand the speculation around this plant–based diet. If done incorrectly, this ethical lifestyle can really affect your health. Trust me, I’ve been there!  Now, we know that a healthy body is paramount for conception, so if you’re vegan or considering adopting this...

Fasting seems to be buzzing everywhere. Whether it’s the 5:2 or 16:8 method...or whether you're simply skipping breakfast every-day, intermittent fasting is the one craze the world loves to love. Everyone from celebrities to athletes, are raving about it’s benefits. Claiming they lose weight, have better skin, sleep, mental focus and overall improved health.   But don’t clean out your fridge just yet guys!  Intermittent fasting involves eating during very controlled windows of time so that the body can enter, ‘Autophagy,’ which literally means ‘self-devouring.’ This the state where the body goes into ‘starvation mode’ and eats itself as a means of obtaining...

Having low testosterone can be a sensitive subject for us guys...It’s as if it deducts from our manliness in some way, which is ridiculous! This is a common problem that affects 1 in 4 men over 30, worldwide.   So, the guy you sit next to at work, or your tennis buddy, probably has low testosterone too.  Not sure if this is you? Here’s a list of common signs:   Low Sex Drive  Difficulty with erection  Fatigue  Hair Loss  Sleep disturbance  Affected memory  Mood swings  Decrease in muscle mass  Increase in body fat  If any of these apply to you, you may...

Ok guys, let’s talk about Yoga...  Yes, yoga...that thing you see soccer moms jabbering about, as they sip their green juice in their stretchy lycra pants. But in all seriousness, Yoga isn’t just something that your girlfriend or sister can do.   Men do Yoga too!  In fact, Yoga has been used to aid male fertility throughout history, with Yogic practices such as Kundalini yoga reported to increase sperm count. Now I’m not saying you have to quit your job and become a Yogi in order to conceive...but since the studies show this helps your chances, then why not give it a go!  ...