What Kinds of Vitamins Can Men Take to Increase Fertility?

There are a number of things that can inhibit fertility, so why not take control of the one thing you can -- your diet. Men can do a number of things to create a diet that will increase their chances to conceive with their partner. Many vitamins can help increase a man's sperm count, which will increase the chances of he and his partner being able to conceive.

Types and Benefits

• Folic acid and vitamin B can both improve a man's sperm count. A Vitamin C deficiency can cause sperm to have a hard time separating, making conception difficult. Getting about 1,000mg a day of Vitamin C is recommended, especially for men who smoke. Zinc helps with men's production of testosterone as well as increasing sperm count and improve motility. Selenium is another good vitamin that is good for men who have a low sperm count, as it can increase the number of sperm.

Misconceptions

• Many believe that only a woman can increase her chances of fertility, but that is not the case. Men can suffer from fertility issues as well and can adjust their diet to increase their chances of conception. In fact, many of the same vitamins that women take to increase fertility are also beneficial to men.

Warning

• Although zinc can be beneficial to a man's fertility, that is only true at low levels. Increased amounts of zinc can work in the opposite way and actually hinder conception.

Sources

• Vegetables such as spinach and broccoli are good sources of folic acid. Vitamin B12 is found mostly in foods such as meat, eggs and dairy products. Vitamin C can be found in foods such as strawberries, citrus fruits and broccoli. Oysters are a huge source of zinc, while other foods like baked beans and yogurt contain small amounts of zinc. Whole-grain pastas and breads as well as most red meats, tuna and chicken are good sources of selenium.

Considerations

• If you eat a balanced, healthy diet, you most likely will not need extra supplements to increase fertility. It is important to assess your diet and decide what vitamins might be absent from it and how you can adjust accordingly. You may find that adding an extra supplement or two rounds out your daily diet.