Making Babies: How Omega-3 Promotes Better Sperm
Last weekend, I attended a wedding. After the ceremony, I happened to talk with a specialist at a large fertility clinic in Oslo, Norway. She had heard about my expertise in the area of omega-3 fish oil, and of course, I took the opportunity to extol the virtues of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in terms of increased sperm quality.
Just last month a report came out from the Urology Research Center of the University Hospital in Tehran, Iran, analyzing the omega-3/omega-6 status of fertile and infertile men. There were more than eighty men in both groups, and the researchers found that there was a significantly lower level of omega-3 fatty acids (including DHA and EPA) in infertile men.1
Clearly, changes in the omega-3 levels likely drive the morphology and function of sperm.
Arand Pierce, in the article “Why is Intelligence Correlated with Semen Quality?” takes this one step farther and discusses why polyunsaturated fatty acids DHA and arachidonic acid (AA) provide a common biochemical pathway for both sperm and neuron function. In other words, intelligence and sperm quality are correlated because DHA levels influence both.
Both in sperm and in neurons, the DHA molecule’s flexibility allows the cell membrane to function more efficiently, making signals travel more quickly and easily from neuron to neuron and from sperm to egg. Biochemically, the fertilization process is sort of a “synaptic communication between gametes [baby making cells] or – it could also be argued – synaptic communication is the way neurons impregnate each other with information.”2
It makes sense that basic cellular biochemistry would be the same across different organs’ tissues and cell types. Interestingly, it is the inter-related biochemistry of polyunsaturated fatty acids that is important not only in fertility but also in brain function – for parents and their developing babies. Using Omega Cure or eating Omega Cookies is a wonderful way to keep sperm wiggling happily on a baby-making adventure.
Sources:
1. Clinical Nutrition: “Relationship of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids with semen characteristics, and anti-oxidant status of seminal plasma: A comparison between fertile and infertile men.” 27 July 2009.
2. Communicative and Integrative Biology: “Why is intelligence correlated with semen quality? Biochemical pathways common to sperm and neuron function, and their vulnerability to pleiotropic mutations.” September/October 2009.
Recent Posts
-
Dose, Joint Health, Omega-3Are you one among the 1 in 5 Americans grappling with chronic pain, as reported by the CDC [1]? If the thought of traditional pain medications and their potential side...3 months ago
-
Eye Health, Omega-3
The Startling Link Between Skin Care and Eye Health
Dry eye complaints are on the rise worldwide. Many risk factors – including aging and increased computer use – help explain the increase. But there's another driver few people know...5 months ago -
Heart Health
Does Taking Fish Oil Lower Cholesterol?
Many people believe that incorporating omega-3s into their diet will solve their cholesterol woes. But the truth is much more nuanced; it's not as simple as taking a daily fish...1 year ago -
Immune Health, Sleep
Melatonin & COVID-19: Can This ‘Sleep Hormone’ Help?
It started with a runny nose and a slight cough. But when his 72-year-old wife tested positive for COVID-19, he got concerned. “Is there any research suggesting the supplements we...2 years ago -
Full-Spectrum Fish Oil, Omega-3
Is It Good to Store Fish Oil in the Freezer?
Fish oil is a great source of the omega-3 fatty acids we all need for good health. It’s also highly perishable. Consuming rancid fish oil can have negative health implications....2 years ago -
Omega-3
Our Favorite Omega-3 Fish Oil Benefits
Omega-3 fish oil certainly has a reputation for delivering a plethora of incredible benefits. And it’s true! Omega-3 fatty acids have been studied for a broad range of health conditions....2 years ago