Things to Avoid

High Temperatures

The body is 37 degrees celcius. Sperm functions best at 32 degrees celcius. Long distance driving or sitting, hot baths, saunas, hot tubs, tight fitting underwear, and athletic support straps, all can raise the temperature of the scrotum, thus 'cooking' the sperm.

Stress

Blood gets routed by all means to vital organs for survival such as the lungs, heart, and brain in times of stress. Obviously the testes are malnourished when the body is under constant stress.

Alcohol

Take a breath, if you stop now, most damage done by drinking will be repaired naturally. Alcohol interferes with the secretion of testosterone, speeds up the conversion of testosterone into estrogen, lowers sperm count and sex drive. The breakdown product of alcohol in the body is acetaldehyde, which is toxic to sperm.

Smoking

Smoking increases the number of free radicals in the body which do damage to many cells. It reduces sperm count and motility, and increases the number of abnormally shaped sperm. Free radicals that are said to be responsible for 40 percent of sperm damage can be battled with antioxidants such as vitamin C, E, beta-carotene, seleum, zinc, blackberries, blueberries, garlic, kale, strawberries, brussels sprouts, plums, alfalfa sprouts, broccoli, red peppers, grapeseed extract, and pine bark extract. A man who stops smoking marijuana will probably see an improvement in the quality of his sperm within a few months.

Drugs

Aside from the many prescription drugs that effect fertility, the chemical ingredient in Marijuana is very closely related to testosterone, therefore the body will produce less of the male hormone. It builds up in the testes lowering libido, causing impotence, and sometimes sexual anxiety. The effects of cocaine are similar in some aspects. A man who stops smoking marijuana will probably see an improvement in the quality of his sperm within a few months. Common antibiotics like penicillin and tetracycline can wipe out a sperm harvest. Phenytoin, glucocorticoids, sulfasalazine, and nitrofurantoin are other drugs thought to effect sperm motility.

Caffeine

May impair sperm production, cause chromosomal abnormalities, and effect sperm motility.

Medical Problems

Hernia surgery, tubule infection, chlamydia, or mumps may effect sperm count. Diabetes can also have detrimental effects on male fertility. Common antibiotics like penicillin and tetracycline can wipe out a sperm harvest.

Exercise

Yes, it is good for you, although, excessive amounts that punish the body may lower sperm count (heat) and temporarily reduce testosterone production.

Toxins and Pollutants

Pesticides and heavy metals are terrible for sperm. Since the start of the use of pesticides since World War II, male sperm counts have plummeted. Note: pesticides are designed to disrupt the reproductive cycle of the insect, fungus, or weed it is trying to kill! I think there may be a correlation here. Eat Organic! Also watch exposure to X-rays, solvents, paint products, and toxic metals. Also, CLEAN / FILTER THE AIR IN YOUR HOME, areas of the world with high pollution such as car exhaust have been correlated to statistical drops in sperm count. APEs are used as emulsifiers and are found in detergents, paints, pesticides, plastic wraps, textiles and cosmetics. Phthalates, which make plastic flexible, are the most abundant manmade chemicals in the environment, and are present in the human diet. When these chemicals were tested on animals at levels approximating human exposure, they found effects similar to those of DES. It appears that industrial chemicals can actually mimic hormones.

Environmental Estrogens

These are known to damage the Sertoli cells. Sertoli cells are responsible for the production of sperm. The meat we eat is filled with hormones, unless it is organic. Estrogens are now found in our drinking water. Plastics also give off estrogens. Do not microwave plastic, and try to drink from glass containers. If you are drinking water from a plastic bottle, try to limit its exposure to the sun or heat. Balance your intake of water between bottled water and filtered tap water (or tap water that has been let sit on the counter for a few hours).

Dibromochloropropene (DBCP)

...causes male sterility. It has been banned in the Canada but continues to be used as a pesticide in a number of other countries. DBCP has allegedly caused epidemics of childlessness among plantation workers. Therefore eating local organic foods is important. Avoid tropical non-organic fruits and vegetables.

X-Rays

The testes are acutely sensitive to X-rays.