Causes Infertility in Men

Does soy lead to infertility in men? New research deals with this vital question. Soy is being used as a meat alternative and a well known protein source for people who are vegetarians or vegan, however some professionals are worried about the potential health issues of consuming too much soy. Should men limit their soy intake?

Is Male Infertility Caused by Eating Soy?

The Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology journal published a study, where a group of male mice ate a rich soy diet from birth until they grew up. Another batch of mice was given a diet devoid of soy. At the conclusion of the research, they noticed that mice who had soy in their diet had a 26% decrease in sperm counts in comparison to mice who didn’t eat soy. The result was 210% smaller litter sizes.

Even though this experiment used mice, an experiment using people revealed that males who used a lot of soy in their diet had decreased sperm counts. Research reveals that soy also decreases the testosterone levels in men who eat a lot of soy.

How does soy lead to male infertility?

Soy is loaded with genistein and daidzein, which are two isoflavones. These isoflavones act as phytoestrogens on the human body, meaning that they behave in a manner similar to that of the female hormone estrogen. This is something to be concerned about, since elevated estrogen levels could mess up the male hormone testosterone levels. Because testosterone affects sperm production and male libido, low levels of this hormone could be linked to male infertility.

What are the benefits of eating soy?

There is some proof that a diet that contains plenty of soy decreases the chance of heart disease, increases bone density, and even assists with bringing down blood pressure. It is a good way to get low fat protein. The testosterone decreasing effects of soy could be good news for men, since lower testosterone levels decrease the chance of prostate cancer based on several studies.

Should Males Avoid Soy?

If soy is responsible for male infertility, should males quit using it? Several experts disagree that this current research done with mice that ate soy their whole life doesn’t compare to how people eat soy, and there is less of a male fertility risk when soy is moderately consumed. It is not totally clear if soy is the reason for male infertility, but men who are having trouble getting their partners pregnant should restrict the amount of soy consumption until more research is done.

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