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Men's Fertility Enhance with L-Carnitine and Acetyl L-Carnitine, Compare to Proxeed™

[Sperm Quality | L-Carnitine for Male Infertility]
[Acetyl L-Carnitine for Male Infertility | Fructose and Citric Acid]
[Zinc Vitamin B, C and Antioxidants | Conclusion]
[Comparison of ProXeed to Off-the-Shelf Supplements | References]

• Carnitine and Acetyl L-Carnitine Improve Sperm Motility

• Carnitine Supplement Helps Sperm Swim

• Coenzyme Q10 May Help Treat Male Infertility

• Improved Pregnancy Rates with L-Carnitine Plus Acetyl L-Carnitine

• Significant Increase in Men's Fertility from 90-day Pycnogenol® Treatment

• L-Carnitine Better Than Testosterone in Treating Erectile Dysfunction

• Pine Bark Extract plus L-arginine Combo Effective for Improvement of Erectile Function

For couples who have conception problems, male fertility can be enhanced with targeted nutritional supplementation.  Scientific studies have shown that Acetyl L-Carnitine, L-Carnitine, citric acid, fructose, zinc, B vitamins and antioxidants have proven to enhance male fertility.  

Though less expensive than funding a new wing at your local hospital fertility clinic, some very expensive formulations such as Proxeed™ are being marketed to address male infertility.  However, purchasing a selection of quality off-the-shelf nutritional supplements may prove equally effectively at a much more affordable cost.  

Modern diet, stress and environmental factors can contribute to a man's fertility problem. Men can have their sperm count checked to understand their needs, and take nutritional supplements that research has shown to improve sperm quality. 

This article will define sperm quality, summarize fertility research for men using various nutritional supplements, then compare the industry standard nutritional supplement - ProXeed™ - with a variety of off-the-shelf nutritional supplements. 

Sperm Quality

Five factors identified by the World Health Organization are used to assess sperm quality.  If any factor is deficient, this can affect the chances of conception.  The five factors are:

Number of Sperm Cells - this refers to the quantity of sperm in the ejaculate.  Normal ejaculate will contain more than 40 million sperm cells.

Concentration of Sperm - this refers to the number of sperm per milliliter of ejaculate.  A normal semen sample contains more than 20 million sperm per milliliter of ejaculate. 

Motility - Sperm motility refers to the sperm's ability to swim.  In a healthy semen sample, more than 50% of sperm will demonstrate excellent motility and 25% will move strongly in one direction.  Fertility specialists believe that this may be the most critical factor in men's fertility because sperm need to swim from the vagina through the cervix, into the womb to meet the released female egg where fertilization occurs. 

Speed - At least 25% of sperm should have fast and straight forward movement. 

Morphology - describes the size and shape of the sperm.  A healthy sperm looks like a tadpole.  At least 30% of sperm should have normal shape and size.  

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L-Carnitine for Male Infertility

A number of clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of oral administration of L-Carnitine for men with various forms of sperm dysfunction.  The following table summarizes those studies for men with male infertility (idiopathic asthenospermia). (L-Carnitine is a component of ProXeed™)

Study Conclusions

In the Campaniello study, in patients affected by asthenospermia (with sperm motility <30%), long-term administration of L-Carnitine demonstrated a positive effect on sperm quality in terms of increasing sperm motility.¹

The Vitali study demonstrated the efficacy of long-term administration of L-Carnitine in increasing the reduced motility of sperm in 47 patients affected by asthenospermia.  L-Carnitine was well tolerated.²

In the Costa study, a significant increase in sperm motility was observed in asthenospermic patients, particularly those presenting with serious forms.  L-Carnitine produced a parallel increase in sperm production and semen volume.³  

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Acetyl L-Carnitine for Male Infertility

One major clinical study demonstrates the efficacy of oral administration of Acetyl L-Carnitine for men with various forms of sperm dysfunction.  The table below summarizes this study for men with male infertility (idiopathic asthenospermia). (Acetyl L-Carnitine is a component of ProXeed™)

Study Conclusions

In the Moncada study, Acetyl L-Carnitine administration improved progressive sperm motility.  Improvements were particularly marked and sustained in 60% of patients.  Female partners of 5 patients became pregnant during the Acetyl L-Carnitine therapy.⁴  

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Fructose and Citric Acid

Fructose and citric acid are reported to play important roles in sperm motility and concentration, particularly with regard to energy metabolism.⁵  Fructose and citric acid are closely involved in certain aspects of energy metabolism, through glucose utilization. Fructose is one of the major energy-yielding nutritive substrates present in human seminal fluid.⁶   (Fructose and Citric Acid are components of ProXeed™)

A 1997 study reported that low levels of seminal fructose are positively correlated with low seminal volume, low sperm motility and high sperm chromatin stability under SDS and EDTA treatment⁷.  This indicates that fructose supplementation in certain patients with male infertility caused by sperm disorders may have potential to increase sperm motility and the integrity of sperm DNA, thereby enhancing male fertility. 

Zinc, Vitamins B, C, and Antioxidants

Semen is normally rich in zinc.  Administration of exogenous systemic zinc to males with zinc deficiency can improve sperm production.⁸  Zinc, B Vitamins (B6, B12 and folic acid), Vitamin C, and Antioxidants are critical nutrients in the male reproductive system for proper hormone metabolism, sperm formation and motility.^9,10,11,12 

Conclusion

From the book Milestones in Medicine: L-carnitine & acetylcarnitine in male infertility:  "These positive effects of both L-carnitine and acetylcarnitine on sperm quality were observed after at least 2 months of use, consistent with the 74-day sperm maturation cycle.  Continued improvements appeared to be evident for up to at least 6 months of administration."

"Based on biochemical parameters of L-carnitine/acetylcarnitine ratios discussed in earlier sections, and preceding clinical results [see above], the administration of L-carnitine and acetylcarnitine in a combination therapy presents a valid option for improving sperm quality.  Improvements in sperm quality should be expected within 2 months of initiation of therapy, with maximum improvements after 6 months of therapy."  

"For males with idiopathic infertility, dietary supplementation with a combination of well tolerated, clinically efficacious and non-invasive vitamins and vitamin-like agents, such as L-carnitine, acetylcarnitine, vitamins C and E, and fructose, citric acid, selenium and zinc, provides an alternative pharmacological therapy which can improve sperm quality and aid a couple in achieving pregnancy."

"Administration of these compounds significantly improves sperm quality; and the higher the quality of sperm, the greater the likelihood of spontaneous conception, or the greater the likelihood of success of ART (the higher the quality of sperm used, the greater the odds of success)." 

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Comparison of ProXeed™ to Off-the-Shelf Nutritional Supplements

Off-the-shelf dietary supplements are available for couples who are trying to conceive. Clinical trials have shown that the ingredients in these individual supplements optimize sperm quality, as measured by sperm count, concentration, motility and speed.   

Because sperm require 74 days to mature, these nutritional supplements should be taken for at least three months to see initial improvement in sperm quality.*  Sperm also require up to 20 additional days to be capable of fertilization. Researchers have found continued improvement during the first 6 months of usage.  Use according to your fertility doctors recommendation or until conception.  

These off-the-shelf supplements provide top-quality products, conveniently available, and save you money. 

The combination of L-Carnitine and Acetyl L-Carnitine has been patented based on the presumption that it would not have been obvious to anyone who has studied fertility to consider using these two supplements in combination.  Please purchase the product ProXeed™ if you want to use this combination.  

Here is a comparison of a 1-month supply of off-the-shelf supplements to ProXeed™.

%DV = percent daily value
*Based on data published on the ProXeed™ web site January, 2004.  Prices updated 9/6/06, reflecting a 16% price reduction.
** Polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution (PEG-ES) is used to cleanse the bowel before a gastrointestinal examination or surgery. It works by causing diarrhea. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a601097.html. Polyethylene glycol, a preservative that penetrates wood and displaces water - Baltimore Sun, MD, Dec 29, 2003.

References

1. Campaniello E, Petrarolo N, Meriggiola MC, Valdiserri A, Pareschi A, Ucci N, Flamigni C, Filicori M. Carnitine administration in asthenospermia [abstract]. In: IV Int Congress Andrology; 1989 May; Firenze. p.14-18(5).

2. Vitali G, Parente R, Melotti C. Carnitine supplementation in human idiopathic asthenospermia: clinical results. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1995;21(4):157-9.

3. Costa M, Canale D, Filicori MD, Iddio S, Lenzi A. L-carnitine in idiopathic asthenozoospermia: a multicenter study. Andrologia 1994 May;26(3):155-9.

4. Moncada ML, Vicari E, Cimino C, Calogero AE, Mongioi A, D’Agata R. Effect of acetylcarnitine treatment in oligoasthenospermic patients. Acta Eur Fertil 1992;23(5):221-224.

5. Prendergast FG, Veneziale CM. Control of fructose and citrate synthesis in guinea pig seminal vesicle epithelium. J Biol Chem 1975;250: 1282-1289.

6. Videla E, Blanco AM, Galli ME, et al. Human seminal biochemistry: fructose, ascorbic acid, citric acid, acid phosphatase and their relationship with sperm count.  Andrologia 1981; 13:212-214. 

7. Gonzales GF, Villena A. Influence of low corrected seminal fructose levels on sperm chromatin stability in semen from men attending an infertility service. Fertil Steril 1997;67:763-768.

8. Takihara H, et al.  1987.  Zinc sulphate therapy for infertile male with or without varicocelectomy.  Urol 29(6):638-41.

9. Moriyama H, et al. 1987. Studies on the usefulness of a long-term, high-dose treatment of methylcobalamin in patients with oligozoospermia.  Hin Kiyo 33(1):151-6.

10. Czeizel AE.  1998.  Periconceptual folic acid containing multivitamin supplementation.  Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 78(2):151-61.

11. Dawson EB, et al. 1992. Effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on the sperm quality of smokers. Fertil & Steril 58(5):1034-9.
12. Geva E, et al. 1996. The effect of antioxidant treatment on human spermatazoa and fertilization rate in an in vitro fertilization program.  Fertil & Steril 66(3):430-4.

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