Men trying to conceive should swap their fry-up for a boiled egg. US studies show frying eggs makes it harder to absorb their amino acids, which stimulate sperm production.
FERTIILITY FOES
Leading experts reveal the main culprits behind male fertility problems
DIABETES
While a man’s ability to achieve an erection can be affected by a number of conditions (such as cardiovascular disease) through their effect on blood flow, some illnesses can affect the quality of sperm itself. Research suggests that sperm produced by a man with diabetes shows more damage than those from a non-diabetic, and are less able to fertilise an egg.
GUM DISEASE
Bacteria in gums, which can pass into the bloodstream, may have an inflammatory effect on other parts of the body, including the testes. Scientists in Israel found an increased rate of gum disease among men having trouble conceiving.
WHY IS BLOOD RED?
One of the main constituents of blood is plasma, and red blood cells – which make up 45% of plasma – give it its distinctive scarlet hue. Each red blood cell contains haemoglobin, a protein with iron in it. As they travel through the lungs, the iron molecules attract oxygen and then deliver it to the cells in the body. When the iron picks up oxygen from the lungs, it brightens from dark maroon to a re-engine scarlet – just as iron goes red when exposed to air in the outside world. After it has delivered its cargo to the cells of the body, the blood changes to a darker, more maroon hue before returning to the lungs to pick up more oxygen and become red again. This darker shade is rarely seen because when we bleed our blood is already mixing with oxygen in the air.
