Getting Pregnant Naturally (12 page)

Vitamin E has been shown to improve sperm count and motility. In the laboratory, it has been found to enhance
the ability of sperm to fertilize eggs in test tubes. As an antioxidant, it also helps protect cell membranes-including sperm membranes—from free radical damage.

The body needs zinc to maintain the proper levels of vitamin ? in the blood, so you might consider taking supplemental zinc as well as vitamin E. People suffering from diabetes, heart disease, or thyroid disorders should not use this vitamin without consulting a physician.

Zinc is an essential mineral for both female and male reproductive health. In women, zinc deficiency can lead to hormone imbalance, abnormal ovarian development,
and menstrual irregularity. Once a woman is pregnant, zinc deficiency can also increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, pregnancy-related high blood pressure, and low-birth-weight infants.

In men, zinc is important for the healthy functioning of the prostate gland and the reproductive organs. This mineral is crucial for cell division, growth, and repair, and it plays a role in the metabolism of carbohydrates and vitamins. Low levels of zinc can cause a loss of taste, delayed wound healing, and infertility.

Even mild zinc deficiency can lead to low sperm count. Fortunately, taking supplemental zinc can improve sperm count and motility. One study of thirty-seven infertile men involved the use of 60 milligrams of
zinc sulfate for forty to fifty days. Of the men with low testosterone levels, sperm counts increased by 8 million to 20 million. Other studies have demonstrated an improvement in semen quality and motility.