Considering Fatherhood? Be Sure to Eat Right
10 April 2008It is well known that women who take folic acid (folate) before and during pregnancy may reduce the risk of birth defects in their children. New evidence suggests that men who eat a diet high in folate may have less abnormal sperm than men who don't eat as much, decreasing the chance of miscarriage or of having a child with chromosomal abnormalities.
Folate, one of the B vitamins, is important for cell function and the healthy growth and maintenance of sperm. But little is known about how folate may affect a man's children. In this new study, which included 89 men between ages 20 and 70, researchers investigated the association between dietary habits, supplement use, and abnormal sperm.
Specifically, researchers looked at dietary and supplemental intake of folic acid, zinc, and antioxidants such as vitamins C and E and beta-carotene. They also examined the men's sperm, looking for a condition known as “aneuploidy,” which leads to chromosomal abnormalities that cause conditions such as Down's syndrome.
Men who had a higher folate intake (greater than 700 mcg per day) had a lower incidence of sperm abnormalities compared with men who had less folate daily. Higher amounts of zinc and beta-carotene may have decreased the incidence of abnormal sperm, but these findings were inconsistent.
The authors point out that because the men were taking a variety of supplements and getting a mix of micronutrients in their diet the results may not be from the folate alone. “If other studies confirm our findings [of a connection] between folate intake and sperm aneuploidy, a possible public health intervention would be to increase the RDA for men considering fatherhood to reduce the risk of chromosomal anomalies in their offspring,” said researcher Suzanne Young and her colleagues from UC Berkeley's School of Public Health.
Eating right for reproductive health
To get the recommended daily allowance of micronutrients including antioxidants such as vitamins C and E and selenium, folate, and zinc, men should consider taking supplements and look to the following food sources:
• Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E may be found in abundance in fruits and vegetables including blueberries, strawberries, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, carrots and other foods; selenium may be found in Brazil nuts, tuna, meat, and whole grains.
• Folate may be found in fortified cereals, breads, and grains, and green leafy vegetables.
• Zinc may be found in a variety of foods including oysters, meat, poultry, beans and lentils, and fortified cereals and breads.
(Hum Reprod 2008 doi:10.1093/humrep/den036)
Jane Hart, MD, board-certified in internal medicine, serves in a variety of professional roles including consultant, journalist, and educator. Dr. Hart, a Clinical Instructor at Case Medical School in Cleveland, Ohio, writes extensively about health and wellness and a variety of other topics for nationally recognized organizations, Web sites, and print publications. Sought out for her expertise in the areas of integrative and preventive medicine, she is frequently quoted by national and local media. Dr. Hart is a professional lecturer for healthcare professionals, consumers, and youth and is a regular corporate speaker.