In the past, people may have thought that preparing for pregnancy was solely the responsibility of the woman, and that the man did not need to put in any effort. However, this is different now. With changes in observation, more and more people realize that men should also pay attention during the preparation period, especially in terms of diet. Some people are consulting: Do men need to supplement zinc during preparation for pregnancy?
Do men need zinc supplementation for pregnancy preparation?
1. Research suggests that zinc may increase sperm motility. Zinc has a significant impact on sperm production and increasing sperm count. A lack of zinc can lead to a decrease in male sex hormone secretion, resulting in decreased sexual function, testicular shrinkage, and affecting sperm growth and maturation. This can lead to a decrease in sperm count, decreased sperm motility, and poor semen liquefaction.
2. For the selection of health products, the first priority should be safety and harmlessness, followed by easy accessibility, and finally, potential benefits.
3. The intake of all health products should be based on a healthy lifestyle and balanced and sufficient nutrition. There is no miracle drug that can replace dietary nutrition.
4. In food, lean meat, pork liver, fish, and egg yolks are all foods rich in zinc, and oysters are the food with the highest zinc content. Plant based foods contain relatively little zinc. Foods that contain zinc in plant based foods include beans, radish, Chinese cabbage, peanuts, millet, etc. These plant based foods have relatively high zinc content.
What should men supplement for preparing for pregnancy?
1 dha
Without DHA, even if sperm swim to the side of the egg, they cannot combine with it. However, the human body cannot synthesize DHA and can only store it through diet. They are mainly fatter fish, such as salmon, sardine, and mussels.
2. Folic acid
Folic acid is not a specialized product for women, and men should not supplement it during pregnancy. The intake of folic acid is related to sperm motility. The Chinese Nutrition Society recommends 400 micrograms per day. Foods rich in folic acid mainly include green vegetables and beans.
3. Zinc supplementation
The intake of zinc is related to the concentration of sperm. The Chinese Nutrition Society recommends a zinc intake of 12.5 milligrams per day for men of childbearing age. Foods rich in zinc include lean red meat, sesame seeds, oysters, scallops, nuts, pumpkin seeds, shrimp, yogurt, oats, etc.
4. Vitamin E
The intake of vitamin E is related to the shape of sperm. The Chinese Nutrition Society recommends a daily intake of 14 milligrams of vitamin E for men of childbearing age. Foods rich in vitamin E: malt oil, corn oil, sunflower seed oil, peanuts, spinach. Whole grains contain higher levels of vitamin E than refined rice and flour. To achieve the daily recommended amount, 30 grams of sunflower seeds and 30 grams of almonds are sufficient.
In summary, men preparing for pregnancy need to supplement with zinc. Zinc can promote sperm production and increase the number of sperm, which can help improve the chances of conception for women and the quality of the fetus. Therefore, during the preparation period, men should still supplement with zinc appropriately and eat more foods that can supplement zinc, such as oysters.
