According to new research, losing weight can help boost men’s fertility since their sperm also becomes fitter, making it much more likely for them to reach the female’s egg.
The researchers also share that by losing weight, a man can increase not only the number of sperm they produce, but the quality of their sperm increases as well.
Statistics in the U.K. show that around one in every 10 men are considered infertile, which they define as ‘unsuccessfully attempting pregnancy for a year or longer.’
Lead author of the study at the University of Copenhagen, Professor Signe Torekov, said, “It was surprising to us that such a big improvement can be shown in the semen quality in connection with weight loss.”
Moreover, other stats from the U.K. also share that every two in three men are considered either overweight or obese. In the study, 56 obese participants found that their sperm concentration and count actually rose by 40 to 50 percent in just eight weeks, after they had lost around two and a half stone (or 35 pounds).
The participants were men aged 18 to 65 with body mass indexes (BMIs) between 32 to 43 before they were made to undergo diets and exercise programs.
The research group claims that their findings are “good news” for fertility, and that they have found a link between a higher sperm count, and a faster achievement of pregnancy has also been established.
Most men, on average, can produce between 80 and 300 million sperm every time they ejaculate. Regardless, more than 60 percent of issues are characterized by poor sperm, which is why it’s important to keep them healthy. Moreover, one in five men under the age of 35 have a low sperm count.
Although former studies have already shown how obesity plays a key role with reduced semen quality, studies that look into the effect of weight loss on sperm have been too small to have major conclusions.
Professor Torekov said, “But now we are ready to do just that. This is the first long term randomized study, where we have shown semen quality in men with obesity improve with a sustained weight loss.”
In addition, she said, “The men lost an average of 16.5 kg [36lbs] which increased the sperm concentration by 50 percent and the sperm count by 40 percent eight weeks since the weight loss.”
“During the 52 weeks the trial lasted following the weight loss, the men maintained the improved semen quality, but only the men who maintained the weight loss.”
“After a year, these men had twice as many sperm cells as before. The men who regained weight, lost the improvements in semen quality,” she added.
New Found Hope
During the study, the Danish volunteer participants gave semen samples and followed a low-calorie diet for eight consecutive weeks. They were divided into four different groups, two of which were given obesity medications while the others were given a placebo.
They were separated even further, with half of them given a weekly exercise program of at least 75 to 150 minutes of moderate or hard training, while the others were asked to remain at their usual level of activity.
After one year, the participants that only exercised but did not get medication, as well as those that got obesity medication but did not exercise, maintained the weight loss. Meanwhile, those that were given both the obesity medication, as well as exercised, managed to lose additional weight and saw an improvement in their overall health.
The placebo group that didn’t exercise eventually regained half of the weight they already lost, while also aggravating their risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
As explained by Professor Torekov, “Our study shows a short-term low-calorie weight loss intervention in men with obesity improves sperm concentration and sperm count. In addition, we provide evidence obesity medication and exercise can be used to maintain the weight loss-induced improvements and may be used for preserving sperm quality in the long term.”
“Improved sperm concentration and sperm count may be linked to a shorter time to pregnancy. The persistent improvement may also result in improved male fertility,” she added.
These findings, which can be found in the Human Reproduction journal, add more evidence to obesity being a risk factor for the development of male infertility.
She also said, “The prevalence of obesity is increasing globally, while studies indicate declining sperm count over time. Increasing BMI levels, overweight and obesity are associated with decreased sperm concentration, total sperm count, progressive sperm motility, and sperm morphology.”
Another study released earlier in the month found that older men that are considered fat are less likely to be able to have children. In addition, ageing sperm is more likely to be abnormal. And men with a BMI that’s 30 or above – which is considered the obese range – had sperm that was accelerated in age as well.
Moreover, fathers that were able to have children before they gained a significant amount of weight ended up struggling with their reproductive health when they became obese.
U.S. scientists also share that these study results show that while aging may lead to weaker sperm overall, having a high BMI rate ends up exacerbating the process.
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