Infertility and Omega 3 Fatty Acid

If you have a rat that is infertile, there could be a simple explanation (no ladies, I am not talking about your significant other when I say rat...)

A study at the University of Illinois has recently shown that they can cause infertility in male lab rats by restricting their Omega 3 Fatty Acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The infertility was reversed when DHA was re-introduced to the rats.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids serve many purposes, and are what we call some of the "essential fatty acids" which means that they cannot be produced in the body. They must come in through food sources.

Essential fatty acids are needed by by every living cell within the body. They are known to help reduce cholesterol levels, improve hair and skin health, help avoid heart conditions, help prevent arthritis, and reduce the risk of blood clot formation. The brain contains large concentrations of Essential Fatty Acids, where they assist in normal function and health of the brain.

Now, at least in rats, there is evidence that DHA is essential for normal sperm formation and motility. Without it, rats cannot reproduce.

The treatment of Infertility is a multi-million dollar business in this country. It would make sense that if you or somebody you know is trying to start a family, a simple and very inexpensive step that should be taken would be the supplementation of the diet with Omega 3 fatty acids. These are found primarily in fresh deep water fish and fish oils, canola oil, flax see oil, walnut oil, and some vegetable oils. In order for these oils to be affective, they cannot be subjected to heat either in processing or in cooking.