Expert Recommended: Dietary Formula to Increase Sperm Count
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, low sperm count falls under the category of deficiency labor. It mostly results from congenital insufficiency, excessive sexual activity damaging kidney essence, or prolonged illness depleting both qi and blood, leading to inadequate source for kidney essence formation, ultimately causing kidney essence deficiency—the direct cause of low sperm count.
However, kidney deficiency includes deficiencies in kidney qi, kidney yang, and kidney yin. Which type leads to low sperm count? In a clinical study of over 80 cases with abnormal semen analysis, we found that low semen volume is mainly related to kidney yin deficiency, while low sperm count correlates with deficiencies in kidney qi, kidney yang, and kidney yin—no significant difference among the three. Practical experience also shows that yang-tonifying herbs primarily enhance sperm motility, whereas yin-nourishing herbs significantly increase sperm count. As Zhang Jingyue said: "Those skilled in tonifying yang must seek yang within yin, so yang gains support from yin and generates endlessly; those skilled in tonifying yin must seek yin within yang, so yin gains support from yang and flows continuously." Therefore, regardless of sperm count, any case caused by kidney deficiency can be assisted by yang-strengthening foods. Here are some dietary formulas:
(1) 150g leeks, 150g fresh shrimp, 1 lb eggs, 50ml wine (preferably glutinous rice wine). Stir-fry leeks with shrimp and eggs, serve with wine. Once daily, 10 days constitute one course. Suitable for those with kidney yang deficiency.
(2) Appropriate amount of sea cucumber, 100g glutinous rice. First soak sea cucumber until soft, clean thoroughly, slice and stew until tender. Then add glutinous rice, cook into porridge, season and consume. Suitable for those with kidney essence deficiency.
Additionally, regular consumption of seafood like eel, snakehead, shrimp, and freshwater chicken, as well as plant seeds such as pine nuts, walnuts, sesame, and similar warming foods, also aids sperm production.
For men with yang deficiency showing low sperm count, consuming animal testicles such as lamb testicles is also beneficial. Natural pairing with deer antler or edible ants can further warm yang, tonify the kidney, increase zinc content in seminal fluid, and improve sperm quality and quantity.