Some fertility clinics have started to prescribe omega-3 fatty acids to men because research indicates that it could increase low levels of fertility.

Omega 3 essential fats, found in fish oil, are thought to make sperm more resistant to possible damage resulting from the chilling and freezing processes involved in assisted reproduction techniques. Researchers, from the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, say that men with abnormal semen tend to consume less omega-3 fatty acids than fertile men.

One fatty acid component in particular, alpha linolenic acid, has been shown to have the most significant effect on sperm quality. A clinical trial to test the treatment is about to start and if the results indicate the beneficial effects of omega 3 on sperm men attending fertility clinics could routinely be supplied with omega 3 supplements in the future. I would always use fish oil supplements (like Mega EPA) for fertility for both men and women but good to see that the fertility clinics are now recommending them.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 1st, 2007 at 6:00 am and is filed under Fertility, In the News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.