Herbal Remedy For Male Infertility (2)

(CONTINUED FOR PER ULTIMATE FRIDAY)

Diet has a big impact on sperm health and male fertility. What you are eating today is impacting the sperm that will be swimming 3 months from now.

Study findings show a range of 42 to 76 days from the time of sperm production to ejaculation in normal men.

The changes that you make today are impacting the sperm you will be using two to three months from now.

This means that it will take about 2-3 months for diet, herbs and supplements to have an effect on sperm health.

Here are the nutrients specifically needed for a healthy male fertility diet, they should be added to the diet as well as supplemented:

Zinc - In men, zinc is considered one of the most important trace minerals for fertility; increasing zinc levels in infertile men has been shown to boost sperm levels, improve the form, function and quality of the sperm thus decreasing male infertility. Food sources: Calf liver, oysters, beef, lamb, venison, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, yogurt, turkey, peas, and shrimp. Zinc can be damaged by cooking so it is important to eat some foods high in zinc in their raw forms. 

Selenium - Selenium is necessary for the creation of sperm. In studies, men with low sperm counts have also been found to have low levels of selenium.
Food sources: Brazil nuts, liver, snapper, cod, halibut, tuna, salmon, sardines, shrimp, and turkey.

CoQ10 - Necessary for every cell in the body for energy production, CoQ10 is an important antioxidant that helps to protect cells from free radical damage, thus protecting DNA: it is necessary for sperm motility in semen. Additionally, studies have shown that CoQ10 can increase sperm health.
Food sources: Found most abundantly in seafood and organ meats, though it is very difficult to obtain through the diet. CoQ10 Ubiquinol supplementation is the best way to obtain CoQ10 – keep in mind that amounts in the body decline with age.

Vitamin E - Vitamin E has been shown in studies to improve sperm health and motility in men. Studies have also shown a diet deficient in Vitamin E to be a cause of infertility in rats. The meaning of the name for vitamin E ‘Tocopherol’ literally means to bear young. Vitamin E is an important antioxidant to help protect sperm and egg DNA integrity.
Food sources: Sunflower seeds, almonds, olives, spinach, papaya, and dark leafy greens.

Folic acid – New research suggests that folic acid can boost sperm health. Men with low levels of folate had increased risks for sperm that contained too little or too many chromosomes. If an egg is fertilized by an abnormal sperm it could result in a birth defect such as downs syndrome, or an increased chance of miscarriage.
Food sources: Liver, lentils, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, asparagus, spinach, black beans, navy beans, kidney beans, and collard greens.

Vitamin B12 – Also known as cobalamin, vitamin B12 is involved in cellular replication and studies indicate a deficiency can lead to reduced sperm count and motility. Supplementation is advised for any man whose sperm count is less than 20 million or has a motility rate of less than 50%. Studies indicate that supplementation with vitamin B12 at 1,000mcg per day may increase sperm count.
Food sources: Clams, oysters, muscles, liver, caviar (fish eggs), fish, crab, lobster, beef, lamb, cheese, and eggs.

Vitamin C – For men, vitamin C has been shown to improve sperm quality and protect sperm from DNA damage; helping to reduce the chance of miscarriage and chromosomal problems. Vitamin C also appears to keep sperm from clumping together, making them more motile.
Food sources: Abundant in plants and fruits including red peppers, broccoli, cranberries, cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, and citrus fruit.

L-Carnitine – Carnitine is a necessary nutrient for sperm cells to function normally. Sperm require high concentrations of carnitine for energy metabolism. Studies indicate that the level of free carnitine in seminal fluid directly correlates with sperm count and motility. The lower the concentrations of carnitine in the seminal fluid, the lower the sperm count. Research shows that supplementing with L-carnitine for a minimum of 4 months helps to increase sperm count and motility in men with low sperm count and quality. Carnitine and CoQ10 have been shown to work synergistically when combined.
Food sources: Red meat and dairy products.

Antioxidants – Antioxidants are one of the most important components to having healthy fertility that every man and women needs to focus on. Antioxidants help to protect the sperm from free radical damage. Free radicals are able to damage both sperm cell health and the cell’s DNA. The DNA of both partners is the future blueprint for a child. Damaged DNA is known to cause miscarriages, birth defects, and/or developmental problems for the future child. Studies have also shown a connection between oxidative stress caused from free radicals and male infertility. Fertilica Choice Antioxidants contains all of the most important antioxidants nutrients in a capsule form. This blend is great for both men and women, but especially for men with low sperm count and poor sperm health.

 Hormone imbalance is not just something that is reserved exclusively for women. Men can also have imbalanced hormones. Hormones play a large roll in semen production and a man’s fertility. One of the main hormones being testosterone. Due to our modern lifestyles and many of the culprits mentioned above, men’s hormones can become imbalanced.

There are pollutants that “mimic” estrogens (xenohormones) in the body leading to a reduction in testosterone. Excess estrogen in men produces erectile dysfunction, low/lack of libido, low sperm count, and lowered production of seminal fluid.
These xenohormones can come from:

• soy foods
• pesticides on food
• hormones added to dairy and meat
• plastics

5 steps to balancing your hormones:
1. Reduce your exposure to xenohormones
2. Eat only organic meats and dairy
3. Do not eat soy foods.
4. Cleanse the body of excess hormones and toxins. This can be done with a Male Fertility Cleanse
5. Eat lots of fiber and cruciferous vegetables. These vegetables contain a special element that helps the body to rid itself of excess estrogens. You can also take the supplement DIM to have the same effects.

These traditional herbal tonics have been shown through studies and hundreds of years of use to help men have healthier sperm and increased fertility.

Most of these herbs are adaptogens which help to nourish the endocrine system so all of the hormones are working properly. For best results use these herbs for at least 3 – 6 months.
 Ginseng root (Panax quinquefolius)

Ginseng may support a healthy sex drive, erectile dysfunction and enhance sexual performance in men. It strengthens the HPA (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal) axis, aiding hormonal balance, stress management and immune function.
Ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera)

Traditionally used to improve sex drive and low sperm count, Ashwagandha supports endocrine system function for overall hormonal balance.

Epimedium, also known as horny goat weed (Epimedium grandiflorum)
Epimedium is known as an aphrodisiac, increasing sexual desire and performance. The active ingredient Icariin has been shown to increase nitric oxide in turn nitric oxide increases circulation to the extremities. It has been shown useful in aiding a sustained erection.

Fo-ti, also known as Ho Shou Wu or He Shou Wu, root (Polygonum multiflorum)
Fo Ti has been traditionally used for men who have low libido, low sperm count, erectile dysfunction and poor sperm motility. This root supports fertility longevity.

Ginkgo leaves (Ginkgo biloba)
Ginko is the #1 remedy for erectile dysfunction. It increases circulation to the reproductive organs and is high in antioxidants, shown to be important for sperm health.

Goji berry, dried fruit (Lycium barbarum, L.chinense)
Goji berries have been shown to protect sperm from hyperthermia (overheating), helping to preserve and improve sperm quantity and quality through its high antioxidant content. Goji berries support hormonal balance through improved liver function support and they are extremely nutritious.

Maca root (Lepidium meyenii)
Regular consumption of maca has been shown to increase libido, seminal volume and sperm count per ejaculate, and improve sperm motility. Maca is a wonderful superfood which can be taken in capsules or added to fertility smoothies in powder form.

Saw Palmetto berries (Serenoa repens)
Saw Palmetto has been traditionally used to improve prostate health, impotence, testicular atrophy and low libido.

Schisandra fruit and seed (Schisandra chinensis)
One of the most supportive and protective herbs for liver health, (important for hormone balance) Schisandra has been shown to support immunity, and endocrine and nervous system function. Studies have also shown it may help to increase sperm count. This berry helps the body to adapt to stress, making it useful for stress related infertility as well.

Tribulus, aerial parts and fruit (Tribulus terrestris)
Tribulus has been shown to be effective in aiding sex hormone production, increasing luteinizing hormone (LH), DHEA and testosterone production in men. This makes Tribulus useful for erectile dysfunction, low sperm count and poor sperm health related to hormonal imbalance.

Yohimbe bark (Pausinystalia yohimbe)
The bark of this tree supports healthy circulation to the male reproductive organs making it useful for erectile dysfunction. Yohimbe has been shown to help men sustain an erection and may help to make an erection firmer. The increased circulation to the reproductive organs has also been shown to increase libido.

(TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK)
For effective herbal cure for male infertility, call: +2347031040178

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The Amazing Nutritional Benefits Of Okro

In most Nigerian and African homes, okro soup is a daily delicacy. The soup combines easily with foods such as pounded yam, fufu and eba which it aids to travel easily down the gullet into the stomach - quite unlike other kinds of soup in which the swallower has to exert pressure to force the morsel down. Also referred to as lady’s finger and gumbo, Okro is a nutritional powerhouse used throughout history for both medicinal and culinary purposes. Once loved by the Egyptians and still used in many dishes today (such as the infamous gumbo dish), this pod-producing, tropical vegetable dates back over 3500 years ago. But still today, many are enjoying both okro health benefits and the vegetable’s edible delight.

Like the kiwi fruit (okro actually shares many kiwi fruit benefits), okro is known for it’s high vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate content,(although not quite as high as kiwi). Further, okro is known for harnessing a superior fiber, which helps with digestion, stabilizes blood sugar, and helps to control the rate at which sugar is absorbed.
But there is much more to okro.

While the “amount of nutrition” from okro varies based on how it’s consumed (pods, grams, etc), some of the key substances in the vegetable remain the same. Here are some prominent vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients found in okro that deserve some spotlight. Each figure is based on 1 cup (100g) of okro.

• Fiber – 2.5 grams. 10% of RDA (recommended daily value)

• Vitamin C – 16.3 milligrams. 27% RDA.

• Folate – 46 micrograms. 11% RDA.

• Vitamin A – 283 international units. 6% RDA.

• Vitamin K – 40 micrograms. 50% RDA. The vitamin K found in okro is known as vitamin K1, one of two beneficial forms. The other beneficial form is K2; K3 is synthetic and should be avoided.

• Niacin (Vitamin B3) – 0.9 mg. 4% RDA.

• Thiamin (Vitamin B1) – 0.1 mg. 9% RDA.

• Vitamin B6 – 0.2 mg. 9% RDA.

• Magnesium – 36 mg. 9% RDA.

• Manganese –  0.3 mg. 15% RDA.

• Beta carotene – 225 mcg.

• Lutein, Zeaxanthin – 516 mcg.

As mentioned, Okro is rich in numerous vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are responsible for the health benefits the plant has to offer. Here are some of okro’s health benefits:

• Okro Promotes a Healthy Pregnancy – An extremely important B vitamin for producing and maintaining new cells, folate is an essential compound for optimal pregnancy. The vitamin helps prevent birth defects like spina bifida and helps the baby to grow sufficiently. Vitamin C is also essential for fetal development. Okro is rich in both folate and vitamin C.

• Helps Prevent Diabetes – Thanks to fiber and other nutrients, okro proves beneficial in normalizing blood sugar in the body, helping with diabetes.

• Helps with Kidney Disease – One study published in the Jilin Medical Journal found that regular consumption of okro can help prevent kidney disease. In the study, “those who ate okro daily reduced clinical signs of kidney damage more than those that simply ate a diabetic diet.” This also ties in with diabetes, as nearly 50% of kidney disease cases are caused by diabetes.

• Supports Colon Health – Okro is full of dietary fiber, which is essential for colon health and digestive health as a whole. The fiber Okro provides helps to clean out the gastrointestinal system, allowing the colon to work at greater levels of efficiency. Additionally, the vitamin A contributes to healthy mucous membranes, helping the digestive tract to operate appropriately.

• Could Help with Respiratory Issues like Asthma – Okro contains vitamin C, which has been shown to help with respiratory issues like asthma. One study concluded that “the consumption of fruit rich in vitamin C, even at a low level of intake, may reduce wheezing symptoms in childhood, especially among already susceptible individuals.”

• Promotes Healthy Skin – Vitamin C helps keep the skin looking young and vibrant. The vitamin aids in the growth and repair of bodily tissues, which affects collagen formation and skin pigmentation, and helps to rejuvenate damaged skin. Okro is full of vitamin C.

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Melon (Egusi) Soup: Rich Supplement For Mother Nature

Elena Davert, an expert nutritionist from Nourishing The Planet, extols the health benefits of consuming melon soup, otherwise known as egusi in West Africa. Egusi, a wild member of the gourd family, has the potential to spread its popularity on the global market nearly as quickly as it grows. Native to parts of Western Africa, this peculiar looking plant can grow just about anywhere, from humid gullies, to dry savannahs, to tropical highlands –making it a source of food for farmers in even the worst conditions.

Although the egusi looks almost identical to its cousin, the watermelon, don’t be fooled, they are actually quite different.  Because the egusi is filled with very dry, bitter flesh, the seeds are the true delicacy of this melon. Composed of nearly 50 percent edible oil and another 30 percent pure protein, these little seeds pack a lot of nutrition into a very small package. In many parts of Africa, where farmers lack access to meat or dairy, the high oil and protein content can make an excellent dietary supplement.

While the seeds are often shelled and eaten individually as a snack, many processed forms of the seeds have made their way into common cooking practices. After soaking, fermenting, or boiling, the seeds take on different flavors and are frequently added to thicken soups and stews. On their own, the seeds can also be roasted and ground into a spread like peanut butter.  With further preparation, egusi-seed meal can be pressed into patties to be used like a meat substitute, and its oil can be used for cooking.

The egusi can also be an important supplementary baby food, helping prevent malnutrition. Blending the seeds with water and honey produces a milky liquid that can be used as formula if breast milk is unavailable, making the plant as diverse in its uses as it is easy to grow.

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Why Processed Meat Can Cause Cancer - WHO

Even though health providers have been warning against it, many people, especially meat lovers, were taken by surprise yesterday when the World Health Organization (WHO) released the report that processed meat could cause cancer.

While doctors have long warned against eating too much meat, the World Health Organization's cancer agency gave the most definitive response yet about its relation to cancer - and put processed meats in the same danger category as cigarettes or asbestos.

A group of 22 scientists from the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France evaluated more than 800 studies from several continents about meat and cancer.

Based on that evaluation, they classified processed meat as "carcinogenic to humans" and red meat as "probably carcinogenic."

Meat industry groups protest the classification. The North American Meat Institute argued in a statement that "cancer is a complex disease not caused by single foods" and stressed the importance of lifestyle and environmental factors.

Doctors have warned that a diet loaded with red meat is linked to cancers, including those of the colon and pancreas. The American Cancer Society has long urged people to reduce consumption of red meat and processed meat.

Dr. David Agus, one of the world's leading cancer specialists and a CBS News medical contributor, told "CBS yesterday" that processed meats can "slightly increase your risks," predominantly for colon cancer.

"To put this in perspective, the lifetime risk of colon cancer is 5 percent," Agus said. "If you have a hot dog every day, your risk goes to 6 percent."

Examples of processed meats include bacon, hot dogs, ham, sausages, corned beef, beef jerky and canned meats - any meat transformed to improve its flavor or preserve it through techniques like salting, curing or smoking.

"We've always known, processed meats - too much is bad," Agus said. "Processed meats aren't good for blood pressure, have a slight increase in colon cancer risk, potentially a slight increase in prostate and pancreatic cancer [risk]. They're very small. But the key is what grandma used to say: moderation."

He said research shows that three and a half servings of regular meat per week appears to have no negative health consequences.

Dana White, a clinical assistant professor of athletic training and sports medicine at Quinnipiac University, in Connecticut, concurred with the message on moderation. "As a registered dietitian I like to look at the big picture of the overall diet," she said. "Red meat can provide important nutrients such as essential amino acids, iron and vitamin B12. When lean cuts are consumed in moderation, it can still fit into a healthy diet."

The WHO report noted that red meat contains important nutrients but said it was associated with some cancers in several studies. Their report said grilling, pan-frying or other high-temperature methods of cooking red meat produce the highest amounts of chemicals suspected to cause cancer.

While the WHO report classifies processed meats as "carcinogenic to humans" - the same category as tobacco smoking and asbestos - it points out this does not mean such foods are as hazardous as cigarettes.

The classifications "describe the strength of the scientific evidence about an agent being a cause of cancer, rather than assessing the level of risk," it explains. "This classification is based on sufficient evidence from epidemiological studies that eating processed meat causes colorectal cancer."

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Plants Based Diets Healthier For The Brain - Study

Following a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish and healthy fats may preserve a more youthful brain in old age, a United States (U.S) study has stated. Previous research has connected Mediterranean diet to a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative brain conditions, noted lead study author, Yian Gu of Columbia University in New York.

For the current study which is published in the journal Neurology, researchers focused on elderly people with normal cognitive function to see if the diet might also be tied to losing fewer brain cells due to aging, Gu said. Scientific evidence has shown that ageing can cause the brain to shrink.

Deterioration of the brain sneaks up on most people. As people age, their reflexes slow. They walk and act slower and in some, memory begin to fail especially the short term form of memory ability that is so crucial for learning new things.

Although, ageing brain is a major risk factor for most common neurodegenerative diseases, including mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, cerebrovascular disease, Pakinson’s disease and Lou Gehrig’s disease, the U.S study shows that consumption of diet of Mediterranean countries, characterized especially by a high consumption of vegetables and olive oil and moderate consumption of protein confers health benefits. Countries with coastline on the Mediterranean Sea have through their diet culture carved a niche for themselves as researchers have found their eating plan to be healthier as well as heartfriendly.

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes eating primarily plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts and replacing butter with healthy fats, such as olive oil. It also includes using herbs instead of salt to flavour foods. Furthermore, Mediterranean diet features fish and poultry – lean sources of protein – over red meat, which contains more saturated fat.

Red wine is similarly consumed regularly but in moderate amounts. Explaining details of the U.S. study, Gu said: “Among cognitively healthy older adults, we were able to detect an association between higher adherence to a Mediterranean type diet and better brain measures.”

To understand the relationship between the diet and brain health, Gu and colleagues reviewed surveys that 674 elderly people completed about their eating habits and then examined magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of their brains. Compared to the people who didn’t regularly follow many aspects of the Mediterranean diet, the participants who adhered to this way of eating more often had larger total brain volume, as well as more gray and white matter.

Higher fish intake and lower meat consumption, one aspect of a Mediterranean diet, was tied to larger total gray matter volume on the brain scans. Also, eating less meat was independently associated with larger total brain volume.

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Banana Peels Are Packed Full With Nutrients

They are traditionally tossed aside, consigned to the rubbish and long forgotten. But, rather than deserve their reputation as a slippery hazard, the butt of cartoon jokes, banana skins are, in fact, good for us.

Whether you're partial to a green, yellow or browning fruit, the peel is packed with nutrients that can prove beneficial to the body. While it may strike you as an alien concept to use banana skin in your daily diet, in many parts of the world, notably India and the Caribbean, the peel is used to add flavour and substance to dishes.

And, there is now a growing consensus, which suggests the nutrients, compounds and minerals hidden away within the skin could help aid weight loss, and boost your mood. 

Banana skins are packed with various nutrients and vitamins that can boost your health, aid weight-loss and improve your mood, nutritionists say.

Nutritionist Ella Allred says while 'at first the peel may seem like an odd choice of food, when you investigate further you will realize there are nutritional benefits'.

She says: "The extra fibre in banana skins will certainly help with bowel regularity. The nutrition profile of magnesium, potassium, vitamin C and B6 is not something to be sniffed at." Laura Flores, a San Diego-based nutritionist agrees.

She told LiveScience: "It contains high amounts of vitamin B6 and B12, as well as magnesium and potassium, and some fibre and protein."

Furthermore, according to an article in the journal of Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, banana peels also contain 'various bioactive compounds like polyphenols, carotenoids and others'.

The skins are packed with vitamin A, which aids in healthy teeth, bones and soft tissue.

While B6 aids the body's immune system, promoting brain and heart health. It also regulates blood sugar levels, and so can help boost your mood.

And B12, also helps the brain and nervous system. Furthermore, B vitamins and the antioxidants lurking in the skin help stoke the metabolism and can therefore prove useful for those trying to lose weight.

And when it comes to being diet friendly, the peel adds no calories to your daily diet, only extra sustenance. 

Adding the peel of your banana to a smoothie is a good way to enjoy its benefits, adding fibre to the drink 

and helping you feel fuller for longer

Vitamin C aids the body in healing, growing new tissue and ligaments, while fibre can help you feel fuller for longer, making the skin diet-friendly.

The peel is also high in the mood-boosting hormone serotonin - a neurotransmitter derived from tryptophan. 

As well as helping to give you a life, tryptophan, an essential amino acid, is often prescribed to help treat sleep problems.

Past research has found fibre helps to lower cholesterol, in turn protecting against heart disease, heart attacks and stroke.

High levels of lutein contained within the peel can help protect your night vision.

The compound has also been found to play a role in preventing cataracts and macular degeneration - one of the leading causes of blindness.  

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