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Oxidative Stress Damages Sperm (But Beli Can Help You Fight Back!)

Oxidative stress degrades sperm and hurts men’s fertility health. Here’s how to fight back.

There are so many things out of our control when we are trying to conceive - and we know it is so frustrating when it takes longer than expected. When you’re trying to conceive, there are few things more frustrating than negative pregnancy tests, cycle after cycle. Consulting your doctor is a great first step to sorting out fertility trouble, but 15-30% of couples who seek fertility healthcare are given the vague diagnosis of “unexplained infertility.” While several factors contribute to your overall health and fertility, there is one dynamic that can fly under the radar: the damaging effects of oxidative stress.

Fertility doctors and nutrition scientists agree that oxidative stress likely plays a major factor in infertility for both men and women. Cellular stress from oxidation might be more common than you think. Luckily, proper preconception nutrition can help you fight back. A 2013 meta-analysis of clinical studies where infertile men took antioxidant supplements to support sperm health found that 95% of these studies “reported a significant reduction of oxidative stress or DNA damage after treatments with antioxidants.”

Here’s how oxidative stress wreaks havoc on your chances of conceiving a healthy pregnancy, and how you can optimize your nutrition for maximum fertility health.

Oxidative Stress and Fertility

When we talk about oxidative stress, we’re talking about molecular-level biological processes that have a big impact on your fertility health. A major part of the oxidative stress story has to do with the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at work within your body in ways that damage your cells. 

Sperm are particularly vulnerable to stress from too much oxidation in the body. Fertility doctors believe that damage from unchecked reactive oxygen radicals (ROS) can degrade sperm motility, making it harder for sperm to move to the egg for fertilization. ROS can also damage sperm membranes so that sperm have a tough time fusing with an egg. And ROS can disrupt the process of copying your DNA into maturing sperm, which matters a lot because male DNA is the primary instruction manual for the formation of a healthy placenta. (Check out influencer Filipa Jackson’s account of her partner’s experience with a diagnosis of sperm DNA fragmentation. Spoiler: they got a happy ending!) 

Checking for DNA fragmentation isn’t a part of routine sperm analysis, and it can be a piece of the fertility puzzle that many men aren’t aware of. We recommend asking for this test! The presence of DNA fragmentation is a signal that the concentration of reactive oxygen radicals (ROS) in semen is too high and has been found to coincide with the male fertility problems we mentioned above.

Here’s how ROS can cause so much damage. You have probably heard of one type of ROS, the type called “free radicals.” Free radicals are one kind of ROS, but they aren’t the only one. What all ROS have in common is that they have one or more unpaired electron. This free electron makes ROS highly capable of producing chain reactions that can damage your cells. ROS do have a positive role to play in mediating some cell functions, but when your concentration of ROS gets too high, your cellular health can deteriorate.

ROS are formed by the mitochondria in your own cells metabolizing oxygen to give you energy. You can also pick them up in other ways, such as from radiation, including UV light, or from secondhand smoke. And ROS aren’t all bad, on their own, but they do cause trouble when there are too many of them, and not enough action from your body’s antioxidant processes.

So that’s the other part of the oxidative stress story: antioxidants.

Antioxidant Nutrition for Optimal Fertility

On the most general level, antioxidants are molecules found in food that have the power to neutralize ROS in your body. They do this either by offering extra electrons to form a pair with the free electron of an ROS molecule, or by breaking down free radical molecules entirely. 

Antioxidants are continually used up in the process of neutralizing ROS, so it’s essential to fuel your body with a continuous supply. This can be hard to do with diet alone, which explains why supplementation with antioxidants is correlated with improvements in sperm quality markers and higher rates of conception and live birth. 

You’ve likely already heard of antioxidants like Vitamins C, E, and D. In addition to these, studies show positive outcomes for male fertility following supplementation with selenium, lycopene, l-carnitine, zinc, folate, N-acetyl cysteine and CoQ10. 

That’s a lot of antioxidants, we know! That’s why we followed the fertility research on antioxidants when we formulated our men’s prenatal multivitamin. We made Beli a single, complete supplement for men’s fertility support that you can take without having to guess about ingredient quality, or purchase a pile of different pills. For example, taking folate and zinc in combination has been positively associated with sperm count in both fertile and sub-fertile men, so we made sure Beli Men includes both, in the highest-quality forms available. Same goes for selenium combined with Vitamin E, which has been shown to have a beneficial protective effect on sperm motility. We stand behind the science of our Beli Men preconception multivitamin. It’s the best antioxidant tool to help your body sweep away harmful reactive oxygen molecules that threaten your fertility.

For more on this topic, we recommend The Preconception Podcast’s episode titled The Importance of Nutrition for Sperm Health. In the episode, Brooke Boskovich, a functional dietician specializing in fertility and hormone balance, takes a deep-dive into the factors that can lead to a fertility-damaging level of oxidative stress. “Nutrition, sleep quality, stress management, exercise, and environmental exposures all play a role in the amount of oxidative stress that is happening in your body,” Boskovich explains. “Luckily, just with focusing on nutrition and lifestyle changes, there’s great research that shows significant improvements in sperm quality can happen.” She also recommends her top picks for men’s preconception multivitamins (and Beli Men is at the top of her list!).

Our advisory board of doctors and nutritionists helped ensure that the Beli Men Vitality Blend includes the right ingredients in the right amounts to help counteract the harmful effects of oxidative stress on your fertility health. Don’t let oxidative stress damage your chance of becoming a dad. Give Beli a try!

Additional Resources

Raise your hand if you already know that you have a biological clock. From age 35 and beyond, there is a natural decline in testosterone and sperm quality. Just as people lose muscle strength, flexibility and endurance with age, sperm also tend to lose their "fitness" over the life cycle. But what does that mean—and does it really matter?

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Ever wondered why men produce so much darn sperm, especially if only one of them will ultimately fertilize the egg? There are millions of sperm in normal ejaculate because it increases the likelihood that one will reach the egg and seal the deal. It begs the question, what exactly happens on the journey to the egg?

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Read More

Diet has been suggested to have an influence on the quality and function of human sperm. More specifically, the results of a randomised trial have shown that including nuts as a component of a regular diet improved the quality and function of human sperm.

Read More

A shot to the balls may be played for laughs on screen, but testicular impacts really aren’t a joke. Worse case scenario, getting hit in the balls can affect fertility thanks to complications like sexual dysfunction, low testosterone and other issues. Let's discuss.

Read More

With the New Year upon us, there are all kinds of articles and videos making the rounds with predictions of the Zodiac signs most likely to get pregnant in 2024. But here at Beli, we take a much more scientific approach to conception. Here are the top eight things people will do to get pregnant in 2024.

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Read More

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Read More

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Read More

Raise your hand if you already know that you have a biological clock. From age 35 and beyond, there is a natural decline in testosterone and sperm quality. Just as people lose muscle strength, flexibility and endurance with age, sperm also tend to lose their "fitness" over the life cycle. But what does that mean—and does it really matter?

Read More

It’s an easy assumption, but you’re much better off thinking that every prenatal vitamin is wildly different in terms of composition, nutrient quality and, importantly, nutrient amount. Not only is that actually true, it puts you in the smart consumer mindset of understanding what matters in a prenatal vitamin—and why.

Read More

Men really do benefit from specialized nutrition in the form of a prenatal vitamin that’s formulated to support sperm health. Here’s what that looks like, and how specific nutrients can impact a man’s fertility health before fatherhood.

Read More

Shilajit is finally getting the credit it’s due, and we’re proud to point out that our proprietary formula was the very first to include this powerful Ayurvedic compound. Here’s why shilajit is rapidly becoming the darling of the male fertility world–and what you’re missing if you’re skipping it.

Read More

Ever wondered why men produce so much darn sperm, especially if only one of them will ultimately fertilize the egg? There are millions of sperm in normal ejaculate because it increases the likelihood that one will reach the egg and seal the deal. It begs the question, what exactly happens on the journey to the egg?

Read More

Just as women’s bodies need to be prepared for pregnancy, men’s bodies need to be ready to contribute healthy sperm for conception. Nutrients are the foundation that support the normal structure and function of sperm and men's fertility health. Taking Beli’s male prenatal supplement is a proactive way to strategically fuel your body to optimize fertility contributing to your overall chances of conceiving and supporting a healthy pregnancy.  

Read More

Diet has been suggested to have an influence on the quality and function of human sperm. More specifically, the results of a randomised trial have shown that including nuts as a component of a regular diet improved the quality and function of human sperm.

Read More

A shot to the balls may be played for laughs on screen, but testicular impacts really aren’t a joke. Worse case scenario, getting hit in the balls can affect fertility thanks to complications like sexual dysfunction, low testosterone and other issues. Let's discuss.

Read More

With the New Year upon us, there are all kinds of articles and videos making the rounds with predictions of the Zodiac signs most likely to get pregnant in 2024. But here at Beli, we take a much more scientific approach to conception. Here are the top eight things people will do to get pregnant in 2024.

Read More

Research shows that the overall health of both biological parents during the preconception window plays a huge role in everything from conception to pregnancy health to the lifetime health of their baby. Luckily, there are simple steps you can both take to improve your health together.

Read More

When it comes to becoming parents, good habits really will take you where you want to go. Now, new science is giving us insight into exactly how long it takes to form those good habits. We're breaking down all the ways you can build healthy habits to boost your chances of conception. Think of it as life-hacking, but for grown-ups.

Read More

Here at Beli, we’re working hard to raise awareness of the important role men play in the baby-making equation, which brings us to today’s topic of men’s preconception health and specifically, sperm health. Knowing what you’re working with can save you a lot of time, but is at-home sperm testing considered an important part of men’s preconception health? Let’s break it down.

Read More

There’s a certain magic to the holiday season, whether you’re all-in on the decorations and the family time or a self-proclaimed Scrooge from mid-November to the New Year. But when you’re trying to conceive, it can be a challenging time.  We’re sharing five tips for managing the holidays when you’re trying to conceive.

Read More

Everyone knows that alcohol and pregnancy don’t mix. But what about before you’re pregnant, during the trying-to-conceive stage? There’s no evidence that the occasional drink—i.e. one or two a week—is going to torpedo your chances of parenthood. But it is true that the more you drink, the greater the likelihood it will have an effect on your health. Here’s what the research says about alcohol and your fertility.

Read More

You’re clear on the mechanics of making a baby, but how much do you really know about conception and fertility? There are a lot of wild stories, downright falsehoods and notions that are actually rooted in a kernel of truth out there. In the interest of sticking to the facts, we’re debunking 15 of the most common myths about conception and fertility.

Read More

When you’re knocking boots in an effort to get knocked up, timing is everything. Your best chance of conceiving is during the most fertile time of your menstrual cycle—when you ovulate. The key is figuring out exactly when that happens. Fortunately, you have a few ways of detecting ovulation. Here’s what to know about understanding ovulation and timing sex for pregnancy.

Read More

You have big plans for parenthood in 2024, which means this is the time to start laying the groundwork for everything to come. While so much of conception is beyond our control, there are actionable steps you and your partner can take right now to support and nourish your fertility.

Read More

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Read More

Is there anything worse than the two-week wait? All the listicles out there sensibly advise keeping busy and journaling and talking it out, but we’re sharing more specific recommendations collected from the Beli community. Read on for seven tips for surviving the two-week wait without losing your mind.

Read More

Heard the one about ice baths and testosterone? Spoiler: there's little to no research behind that idea. Here’s what to know about cold plunges and male fertility, according to the research, plus where you should really focus your efforts if you’re trying to improve sperm health.

Read More

As a society, we’re an impatient bunch, and that applies to pregnancy, too. The second you decide it’s time to try for a baby, you’re ready to see those two pink lines. If you’ve recently tossed the birth control and you’re wondering how long it should take to get pregnant, here's what to know.

Read More

Jimmy Fallon. Hugh Jackman. Mark Zuckerberg. Keith Urban. Gordon Ramsey. Kyle Busch. Besides immediate name recognition, what else do these men have in common? They’ve all struggled with infertility issues—and it’s something they’re all talking about publicly. Here's why that matters.

Read More

While it’s true that popular hair loss meds work minor miracles on that receding hairline and back-of-the-head bald patch, it’s also true that it can come with side effects—some of them sexual. So, what does that mean in terms of male fertility? Here’s what couples should understand about the effects of popular hair-loss medications on sperm health.

Read More

A few years ago, the keto diet was all the rage—a high-fat, low-carb way to shed pounds quickly. While it’s lost a bit of its luster, as all diet trends do, interest in the keto diet remains. Specifically, those hoping to become parents wonder whether following this way of eating could support fertility. Is a diet high in fat and low in carbs the answer? It’s possible. Here’s what to know about the keto diet and whether it might help support fertility.

Read More

When you’re pregnant, of course, you’re told to limit your caffeine consumption. But what about when you’re trying to conceive? Can too much caffeine affect your chances of conception as a couple? It's a good idea to cut back—which means you need to be really clear about sneaky sources of caffeine in your diet.

Read More