Getting Pregnant Naturally (9 page)

While you may not think of foods as contraceptives, cottonseed oil is a rich source of gossypol, an anti-fertility agent that has been examined as a possible active ingredient for a “male birth control pill.” Studies have actually shown that men who use crude cottonseed oil in cooking have low sperm counts and testicular problems. Read your food labels carefully and avoid any product containing cottonseed oil. It is most commonly used in fried foods. (Of course, you cannot rely on cottonseed oil to prevent pregnancy when you want to use a contraceptive, but you should by all means avoid it when you’re trying to get pregnant.)

L-carnitine is a vitaminlike compound that stimulates energy-producing mitochondria in the cells to break down long-chain fatty acids. L-carnitine levels run quite high in the epididymis (the tube in the scrotum where the sperm are formed) and in the sperm themselves. L-carnitine levels in the body have a direct relationship to sperm vitality: the higher the L-carnitine concentration, the more motile the sperm. L-carnitine is found in the diet and can also be produced by the body, mainly in the liver and kidneys.

Taking a L-carnitine supplement can help boost fertility. Look for a product labeled L-carnitine, rather than D-carnitine or DL-carnitine. (The L-carnitine is in a molecular form that is more easily used by the body; in some people, the D-form actually creates an L-carnitine deficiency.)
Supplemental Carnitine is not recommended for diabetics or people with liver or kidney disease.

Fertile men need selenium; it is necessary for healthy sperm production and for a healthy sex drive. It is also critical for liver, heart, and white blood cell function, and it contributes to the breakdown of fat in the body.

While researchers don’t fully understand the role of selenium and fertility, they do know that almost half of a male’s selenium supply can be found in the testicles and the seminal ducts next to the prostate gland. Since selenium is a powerful antioxidant, it may work by protecting the sperm from the hazards of exposure to damaging free radicals. Men with low levels of selenium—and consequently high levels of exposure to free radicals—are much more likely to have abnormal sperm and low sperm counts, compared to men who are not exposed to free radical damage. In fact, high levels of free radicals are found in the semen of 40 percent of infertile men.

Signs of selenium deficiency include liver disease, skin problems, and arthritis.