Firstly, there is no absolute theory as to what causes 90% of male infertility, although a decrease in the male's sperm count appears to be a major factor behind it. Thus far, there are no real treatments for this problem. Secondly, there is no harm done by using natural means of treatment and getting assistance in selecting the proper foods to eat over long periods of time. Thirdly, the cost to trying natural methods is minimal. Of course, if these remedies fail to produce results, couples can always elect to visit a fertility clinic.

In 1940, the average sperm count in men was 113,000,000 per milliliter. Since then, it has declined--decreasing to 6,600,000 per milliliter in 1990. The decrease in sperm has gone from a average 3.4 per ml to 2.75 per ml. In other words, if we consider the loss of sperm in an actual sperm count, their numbers have been just about cut in half.

There are enough worries and dire predictions to cause futurists concern. They are concerned over the continuation of the human race. Research into this decrease in sperm count is being aggressively pursued. The research done thus far clearly indicates that the biggest reasons for these changes lie in the environment and current patterns of human living. We will get into details about this later, but while lowered sperm count is the main reason cited for male infertility, the question remains: Is it the only source of the problem? No, it isn't.

While millions of sperm are released in the process of ejaculation, few are healthy enough to survive the upstream swim through acidic vaginal fluid. Few sperm survive because of the distance they must travel to reach the egg--roughly equivalent to a person crossing the American continent.

Because the course each sperm must run is so rigorous, it is easy to see why an insufficient sperm count diminishes a woman's chances of getting pregnant. Forty percent of pregnancies wouldn't take effect with a sperm count of only 500,000 sperm per milliliter. But a lowered sperm count alone doesn't account for lower pregnancy rates; the quality of those sperm count as well. We have to improve the quality of those sperm that are present.

Heat is a well-known factor in reducing men's sperm count. The production of sperm decreases rapidly in temperatures above 96F, (35.5C). Under the circumstances, men with low sperm counts would do well to abandon wearing tight underwear, which keeps their testicles close to their bodies, in favor of wearing loose underwear, which allows their testosterone to remain stored in their abdomens until needed.

Males with fertility problems often experience elevated testosterone temperatures. Wearing cotton underwear can help lower this temperature. Also helpful is for these men to remind themselves to stretch their legs after being seated for any length of time.

Another problem facing us as a society is our use of synthetic hormones. Our bodies absorb the artificial hormones that are added to the milk we drink. The problem with these synthetic hormones is that they remain in our bodies.

Birth control pills contain another prominent synthetic hormone, estrogen. This hormone is secreted in women's waste products, but estrogens are not totally eliminated in the waste filtration process. They are dissolved and recirculated in our water supply.

All of the chemicals that have been allowed to accumulate in our environment that eventually get absorbed into our bodies. Pesticides, factory, garage and vehicle emissions, as well as byproducts of waste disposal are just some of the agents contributing to the estrogen effect. This estrogen effect inhibits the development of testosterone in infants, children, and adolescents, thereby resulting in a lowered sperm count in adult males.

Men who suffer from lowered sperm counts might want to consider the following:

1. Avoid drinking tap water; drink bottled or filtered water instead.
2. Don't drink milk from cows injected with hormones; drink hormone-free milk instead.
3. Eat natural rather than packaged food.
4. Eat foods high in fiber (barley, wheat, vegetables). Fiber helps to prevent the build-up of byproducts in your intestines.
5. Eat soybeans and soybean products such as tofu, bean sprouts, bean paste, red bean paste, porridge, or rice.

Vitamin C is a very good product for men with fertility problems, as there is the highest level of Vitamin C in sperm. Researchers reduced some men's dosage of Vitamin C from 250 to 5 mg. The result was that the level of Vitamin C in these men's sperm decreased by half, and in 91% of those remaining, their DNA was destroyed. This research proves that Vitamin C has an important function in maintaining the quality of sperm.

One other research study dealt with male fertility in healthy men with fertility problems. They divided these men with 3 group and gave one group 1000mg of Vitamin C every day, another group 200mg of Vitamin C, and the other group, artificial Vitamin C. After one week, the group who had 1000mg of Vitamin C had a 140% increase in their sperm count. The sperm count in the group taking 200mg of vitamin C group experienced a 112% increase, and those taking the artificial Vitamin C had no increase in their sperm count. One interesting fact was the that pregnancies resulted in both group of people who received Vitamin C, but none occurred in the group who had been given the false vitamin.

Beside Vitamin C, Vitamin E, beta-carotene (Vitamin A), and Selenium have also proven helpful. While saturated fatty acids have to be avoided, unsaturated fats should be increased. Fish oil, Flaxeed oil (also nuts), and vegetable oils are helpful in increasing the activity of sperm and increasing sexual functioning. On the other hand, there has been much research establishing a relationship between a low sperm count and decreased testosterone levels in men taking Zinc. In one example, researchers studied 37 fertile men. They were given a daily dose of 60mg of zinc. Of those who took zinc for 40 to 50 days, 22 men saw an increase in their sperm count, as well in their male hormones, from 8,000,000 to 20,000,000. Nine pregnancies resulted.

Vitamin B12 also increases men's sperm count. Arginine, an amino acid, and Carnitine are very important in the production of sperm. They also enhance their activity. Natural foods, such as Korean and Siberian ginseng are also of good help in that they not only increase, but stimulate sexual desire.