MALE INFERTILITY - NATURAL AND ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES

Lega-C

As discussed in the article on male infertility, more than one factor is implicated in male infertility. Many of the causes of male infertility can be addressed by the use of herbs and vitamins found in natural products. Few men receive the essential vitamins and minerals needed for reproductive health.

Lega-C is such a commercial product that has been designed to increase fertility in men. The herbs in the formula are claimed to increase the production, quality, and quantity of sperm. It is recommended that men taking this treatment combine it with herbs with the appropriate vitamin and mineral supplements.

Lega-C contains extracts of:

• eleuthero root (Eleutherococcus senticosus), which is included to improve the quality and increase the quantity of sperm. This herb contains antioxidant qualities that promote healthy sperm cells.
  The active elements in this herb are eleutherosides, lignans, coumarin derivatives, phenolics, polysaccharides, phenylpropanoids, and sugars. It stimulates the system, improving cellular immunity and increasing T-cell production. Eleuthero is an adaptogen, which functions by providing increased resistance to predictable effects of many stressors, including poor dietary practices.
• Tribulus terrestris fruit, to stimulate the production of sperm and increase its quality, motility and survival time. The herb also increases the production of seminal fluid.
  The active compounds in tribulus are steroidal saponins. Two types, called furostanol glycosides and spirostanol glycosides, appear to be involved with the effects of tribulus. These saponins are found primarily in the leaf. Research in Bulgaria and Russia has indicated that tribulus increases levels of the hormones testosterone (by increasing luteinizing hormone), DHEA, and estrogen. However, the design of these research studies has been questioned. It should not be taken by people suffering prostate cancer.
• pygeum bark (Prunus Africana), which improves the quality of seminal fluid.
  Studies show pygeum bark has exceptional properties to help to maintain a healthy prostate. Recent clinical trials have shown pygeum to be useful in the treatment of prostatic hyperplasia, particularly benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Pygeum contains three groups of active components: phytosterols, pentacyclic triterpenoids (such as ursolic and oleanic acids), and ferulic esters of fatty alcohols. The phytosterols, particularly beta-sitosterol, are said to be anti-inflammatory, inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins. Beta-sitosterol has been shown to be useful in cases of BPH by helping to reduce the normally elevated levels of prostaglandins in these patients. Pentacyclic triterpenoids help to inhibit inflammation by blocking enzymatic activity. They are effective anti-edema agents and also help increase the integrity of small veins and capillaries. Ferulic esters of long-chain fatty acids act by inhibiting the absorption and metabolism of cholesterol. BPH and other cases of enlarged prostates are characterized by containing abnormally high levels of cholesterol.
• horny goat weed (Epimedium grandiflorum ) leaf, is said to increase the production of seminal fluid and increase desire.
  The leaves of the Horny Goat Weed contain a variety of flavonoids, polysaccharides, sterols and an alkaloid called magnaflorine. Studies have shown doses of the herb have increased testosterone levels in laboratory mammals.
• astragalus (Astragalus membrinaceus) root, which is designed to Increase sperm motility and protect the sperm cell with its antioxidant properties.
  Astragalus contains polysaccharides, monosaccharides, flavonoid, alkaloid, including choline and betaine, folic acid, various amino acids, mucoitin, gum, cellulose, picrorhiza, and fourteen mineral trace elements, including selenium, zinc and iron. Zinc and folic acid are held to be great sperm builders. Although the correlation between blood levels of zinc and sperm quality is still under discussion, it seems zinc deficiency can lead to reduced numbers of sperm. Reportedly, infertile men have lower levels of zinc in their semen than men with normal fertility.