Soy and Your Sperm

A healthy sperm count is a sign of virility. And let's face it, most men don't brag about having a low sperm count. It's a sign that something's… not quite right.

Of course you can be perfectly healthy and have your sperm number in the lower ranges. There are many things that can happen to lower your sperm count. Temperature, clothing choices, stress—these can all have an effect.

But if a food you were eating caused your sperm count to drop, wouldn't you wonder what else it was doing to your body?

In a recent study, researchers found a possible link between soy intake and low sperm count. In 99 men visiting a fertility clinic those who at soy two or more time a week tended to have lower sperm counts than men who didn't regularly eat soy. The researchers noted that there was also an association between men being overweight and low sperm count.

Soy contains plant compounds that mimic estrogen, a hormone that is more prominent in women than men. High estrogen levels in men can cause a number of problems including hormone imbalances, weaker muscles, lower sex drive, and lower sperm count. Because of this, researchers believe that soy may be at least in part responsible for lower sperm counts in some me.

Generally speaking, I don't recommend soy as a dietary staple for men. It can create too many problems with your hormone balance. There are some exceptions. Products that use fermented soy are healthful and won't toy with your hormone levels. And yes, there are some good soy sauce options that use fermented soy—tamari is my favorite.

Stay well,
Danny Wallace