To a considerable degree, sperm cells consist of fat molecules, and are therefore particularly prone to attack by aggressive free radicals. Men with increased exposure to oxidative stress have a low sperm count and more damaged sperm.
An especially high number of these “reactive oxygen species” (ROS) are evident in the semen of infertile men.
Lifestyle factors such as taking medications, lack of sleep, and exposure to chemical pollutants and environmental poisons further increase the number of ROS while also decreasing the protective anti-oxidative capacity of the body. Oxidative stress will only occur if you are exposed to or ingesting more toxins than your liver can handle and not consuming enough of the nutrients your body needs to balance itself.
The best defense strategy are antioxidants, which are mainly contained in fresh fruits and vegetables and help to reduce free radicals. As a result, you battle oxidative stress on two fronts. First, antioxidants act directly on free radicals in many cases, neutralizing them by supplying that missing electron and preventing damage. Second, they help to build healthy cells in all your body’s systems and boost your body’s filtration and detoxification systems—kidneys, liver and skin.
