Fight back against infertility

Have you ever wondered why it seems harder than ever to conceive a child?

When my peers were having kids, fertility treatments like IVF were rare.

But today—at least in the city where I live—it feels like nearly everyone is using some sort of intervention just to get pregnant. (Perhaps that’s the reality for your own son or daughter, too.)

This isn’t just anecdotal—nor is it just an American issue. In fact, one in six individuals experience issues with infertility.

And yes, while some of it stems from factors outside of our control, a growing body of research points to modifiable lifestyle factors—especially for men.

It’s not only a “female issue”

Many people think fertility is a “female issue.” But that thinking is outdated and dangerously incomplete.

In fact, reports suggest that sperm concentration has halved over the past 50 years—thanks to factors like environmental toxins and poor nutrition.

Plus, being overweight or obese significantly raises the risk of low or no sperm—drastically reducing chances of conception, pregnancy, and live birth.

But here’s the good news: A few simple lifestyle modifications can help.

For one, men who follow a Mediterranean-style diet—like my very own Hamptons Diet or A-List Diet—have shown better sperm quality and higher fertility rates.

And get this: A father’s diet even influences DNA methylation in his sperm, which can impact both fertility and the health of future offspring.

One recent study even found that physical activity and a balanced diet before conception improved nearly every marker of sperm quality.

Lifestyle factors play a big role

Now, hormonal balance, inflammation, oxidative stress, and even epigenetic factors also play a role in fertility. And artificial intelligence (AI) is helping researchers better understand these complex pieces.

For example, researchers have used AI to analyze micronutrient levels in blood to create a “nutrifertility score” that predicted infertility with over 80 percent accuracy.

Bottom line?

If you or someone you love is struggling with fertility, don’t overlook the male partner. And remember, a quick sperm analysis doesn’t always tell the whole story.

Lifestyle factors—diet, exercise, and sleep—play a MAJOR role.

And one more thing: Smart supplementation can help. Work with a trusted physician who can help guide you, but be sure to discuss vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, coenzyme Q10, and omega-3 fatty acids.

These nutrients support sperm health and may increase the chances of healthy conception.