Nutritional Pathways to Protect Male Reproductive Health

Abstract

Nutrition is an essential component of one’s overall health. Many common disease processes can be alleviated or prevented by a healthy diet. First reports of antioxidant deficiency and decreased male fertility can be traced back to over 50 years ago. With the understanding of oxidative damage to spermatogenesis, most of the nutritional research has focused on the role of antioxidants in improving male fertility. However, there are not any randomized controlled trials studying whole food diet in infertile male patients. Patients are often counseled based on data extrapolated from antioxidant supplement studies. This chapter is intended to give an overview of contemporary research on nutrient and male reproductive health with guidance to natural food sources that contain high levels of antioxidants.