It is impossible to envision a guy today who does not use a cellphone, laptop, or other device with Wi-Fi function. We know that these devises lead to the development of several types of cancer, but did you know that they can also impact fertility? Did you also know that endocrine disruptors such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates can compromise male fertility?
What used to be mostly a female issue, fertility has now become a crisis for men as well. Some studies show it is a factor in 30-40% of infertility issues. While men create millions of new sperm daily, it is the quality of sperm that is at risk. To fertilize an egg, a man needs to be able to make healthy sperm and deliver it.
Sadly, the quality of sperm has diminished greatly in the past. A joint study done by Hebrew University and Mount Sinai medical school found that sperm counts have fallen by more than 50 percent in the last 40 years. What that means is that men are almost have as fertile as their grandfathers were.
The issue is complicated as there could be many underlying causes of declining sperm counts. Cell phones, smoking, alcohol consumption, oral contraceptives (contaminating tap water), and endocrine disruptors such as BPA, and phthalates are some of the most common.
Researchers performed at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women’s Health, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, agree that isolating cell phone EMFs from other environmental factors will be a challenge going forward for infertility doctors and their patients. (Incidentally, they too acknowledge that the EMFs can enhance the excitability of the brain and have been classified as carcinogenic).[i]
Modern life could be the answer to the question of fertility — cell phone use, obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, inactivity, stress, and environmental toxins all play a role. A 2013 study found that 20 hours of TV [or computer games] weekly may reduce sperm count by a whopping 50%, while 15 or more hours of moderate to vigorous exercise weekly may boost sperm count.[ii]
But of all of these, the hardest to deal with, are EMFs from various devices and exposures and toxins in the environment –specifically endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in things such as BPA and phthalates.
BPA and Phthalates
Chemicals such as BPA mimic estrogen and can interfere with hormones such as testosterone. Found in plastics, paper products, and cash register receipts, BPA may be rewiring the male reproductive system, eroding sperm quality and quantity and even contributing to testicular disorders.
While not as detrimental to sperm as BPA, phthalates are also a problem. A review of various studies by the National Institute of Public Health confirmed “that phthalates cause diminished sperm count, increased frequency of abnormal spermatozoa and DNA damage in germ cells, especially after chronic exposure.”[iii]
EMFs
Some of the Research on Cell Phone and Infertility:
- In 2008, researchers at the Cleveland Clinic found that the use of cell phones by men is associated with decreased fertility. The researchers found a decrease in sperm count, motility, viability, and morphology, all of which impact fertility.[iv]
- 2010 research by the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University determined “that long-term exposure to mobile phone radiation leads to reduction in serum testosterone levels. Testosterone is a primary male gender hormone and any change in the normal levels may be devastating for reproductive and general health.”[v]
- In 2012, Dr. Devra Davis, PhD, MPH and author of Disconnect: The Truth about Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Has Done to Hide It, and How to Protect Your Family, spoke at the Integrative healthcare Symposium in NYC. She shocked all of us, including doctors and nurses, with evidence-based information regarding the dangers of cellphone on male fertility and various cancers. (Notably, her book was sold out at the conference). She commented that in Israel, there were signs over the urinals suggesting that men take their phones out of their pockets to protect future generations. For more on EMFs from the conference, read my recap.
- For Disconnect, Davis interviewed numerous top researchers in the field, including Om P. Gandhi, who studied how cell phones affect the brain, and Franz Adlkofer, who studied how it affects DNA. She also pointed out that men who keep cell phones turned on in their pockets for hours a day have fewer sperm with more deformities. Davis referenced the work of Harvard trained Ashok Agarwal, who has written more than four hundred peer-reviewed articles. He found that men with the lowest sperm counts were significantly more likely to keep their phones on their bodies all the time, usually in their pockets. He also reported that those who reported using a phone for four hours or more had the lowest and sickliest sperm counts, and that sperm exposed to the highest levels of cell phone radiation had the most deformities and the worst swimming abilities.
- 2014 research found a direct correlation between cell phone radiation exposure, decreased sperm motility and DNA-fragmentation.[vi] DNA fragmentation within sperm can increase the risk of failed conception or miscarriage. Decreased sperm motility inhibits the ability of sperm to move and ‘swim’ property toward and egg. Decreased morphology refers to the size and shape of sperm. As morphology declines or deteriorates, there is less opportunity to fertilize an egg. The researchers recommend that one avoid holding a mobile device in one’s pants pocket. It only makes sense to keep one’s laptop off their lap.
- Another 2014 study published in Progress in Biological Sciences commented that EMFs can damage sex organs and cause hormonal disorders. The confirmed that microwave radiation affects various tissues via induction of heat generation and temperature rise, particularly problematic for males as the testes are more temperature sensitive.[vii]
- 2015 research published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction determined that low frequency electromagnetic fields long-term exposure significantly reduces sperm motility and testosterone levels.[viii]
- 2018 research concluded that EMFs may induce oxidative stress with an increased level of reactive oxygen species, which may negatively affect sperm quality and may lead to infertility.[ix]
Reducing Cell Phone Risk
As evidence mounts for the danger cellphone usage to the brain, many men have resorted to using radiation-free headsets with their phones stored in their pockets. This is not a good idea, raising concerns of equally damaging responses to the gonads. The particular concerns are a focus on apoptosis of reproductive cells, fertility status, and serum reproductive hormones. It certainly raises concerns for cancer risk below the belt.
Clearly, we can take our phones out of our pockets to minimize exposure. When not in use, phones should be turned OFF or on airplane mode. If trying to conceive, avoid saunas and of course, do not place heat-source objects such as cellphone and laptops near your privates. READ MORE HERE.
If you must put your laptop on your lap, find a good radiation shield, or borrow your mates’ radiation-blocking belly blanket (good gift for her once pregnant).
However, food helps and it helps a lot. Eating fresh mint, blueberries, flax seed and other radio-protectors offer some protection. Supplements can also be helpful. Mixed tocopherols (such as those found in the right kind of vitamin E), carotenoids, melatonin, vitamin C, NAC, curcumin, resveratrol, and flavonoids such as soy, astragalus, apigenin, and propolis have been found to interrupt the inflammatory cascade initiated by EMFs and cellular radiation exposure. (For brand recommendations, click on the highlighted supplement).
For more radio-protectors, please read: Simple Solutions for EMF Radiation Protection
Protect your privates. A company called Lambs makes boxer briefs with something they call WaveStopper, a silver-lining technology that apparently blocks 99% of cellphone and WiFi radiation. For a 15% discount on Lambs radio-protective underwear, use this LINK and the code ElynJacobs. For more radio-protective recommendations, please read my articles on 5G and radio-protectors.
Reducing Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors Such as BPA
Use glass for storage instead of plastic dishes and plastic wrap. Do not touch cash register receipts. Use non-toxic cleaning and personal care items.
Detox plastics every day. Eat one or two servings daily of cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, kale, arugula, Brussels sprouts) as they speed up detoxification. Supplements such as Indolplex and calcium d’ glucarate give detox an extra boost.
Beware of BPA-Free plastics. Importantly, bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF) are often used as a replacement for BPA, but so far studies show that they also significantly reduce testosterone levels.[x]
It is also wise to limit take-out food orders which are typically packaged in plastic dishes or in pizza boxes lined with PFAS, harmful chemicals found in non-stick cookware, fire retardants, dental floss, furniture, and water-proof and fire-protective clothing.
Read more about ways to avoid BPA HERE.
Your Health at Risk
An article written by Bryan Walsh, published in Newsweek, Male Infertility Crisis in U.S. Has Experts Baffled, presented powerful information on the topic of male fertility. Walsh detailed the various lifestyle choices and environmental toxins such as BPA that are dramatically reducing sperm counts. The eerie thing is that it appears that low sperm counts may lead to premature death, even among men in the prime of their lives who might seem otherwise healthy.
He quoted Hagai Levine, researcher at the Hebrew University and former chief epidemiologist for the Israel Defense Forces, “The constant production of new sperm cells makes semen highly sensitive to toxins and disease, making it an ideal surrogate for male health—’like blood pressure,’ as Louis puts it—beyond what it might signal for fertility. Poor sperm levels and infertility are a clear sign that men’s health is failing.
One 2015 study found that men diagnosed with infertility have a higher risk of developing health issues like heart disease, diabetes and alcohol abuse, while another connected infertility to cancer. ‘Semen quality isn’t just about a couple getting pregnant,’ says Louis. “There is increasing evidence at the population level that men with diminished semen quality die earlier and have more chronic diseases. This is as important to health as any disease state.
Sperm count decline is the canary in the coal mine says Levine. ‘There is something very wrong in the environment.’ Which means there may be something very wrong with men. “[xii]
While I do agree there is something very wrong in the environment, I don’t agree on the issue of direct increased risk of poor health, or that there is something very wrong with men. It is more likely a reflection of poor lifestyle habits and an accumulation of toxins that are affecting both sperm and overall health. EMFs , phthalates, and BPA clearly pose significant health risks. For example, phthalates deplete zinc, which could lead to conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and accelerated aging.
That said, it is important that everyone understands the seriousness of the accumulation of EMFs, plastics, and other toxins in the body. Your health depends on on avoiding and clearing your body of these toxins. I recommend everyone follow a detox protocol and use caution with cell phones and other EMF sources.
What You Can Do Now
- Don’t smoke or take drugs (even over the counter can affect sperm quality)
- Limit or avoid alcohol
- Manage stress
- Stay active, avoid sitting too long, and maintain a healthy weight
- Stay cool; avoid saunas, tight clothing, and placing heat-source objects such as cell phones and laptops near your privates
- Avoid exposure to pesticides, plastics, heavy metals, and other environmental toxins (which includes takeout containers, pizza boxes, and even most dental floss)
- Eat plenty of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, etc), which help to detox plastics
- Eat a colorful diet, full of fruits and vegetables
- Consider Indolplex and calcium d’ glucarate, which detox plastic and other toxins (click on the links for brand recommendations)
- Consider Bee Propolis, which contains the flavonoid chrysin, which is believed to block estrogen and increase testosterone; bee propolis also reduces the inflammatory response from EMF exposure
- Re-read Simple Solutions for EMF Radiation Protection and the supplement recommendations above
If you are looking forward to having children, I suggest you see your doctor. S/he will likely send you for a semen analysis. However, in order to get an accurate assessment, you may have to repeat the test several times. This can be expensive and time consuming (plus some men are less inclined to visit the doctor for fertility issues). There is an at-home test kit called TRAK, that men can use to evaluate their sperm levels.
Life is a journey, just be sure that journey is on-course for a healthy life.
In your everlasting good health,
Elyn
~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~
Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make healthier, less-toxic choices for their healing. She emphasizes the importance of not just surviving cancer, but surviving well and reducing the risk of recurrence. She is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn has written for numerous journals and publications. She was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation and the creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show. To contact Elyn, visit www.elynjacobs.com. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone, or in-person. Elyn does not provide online advice.
DISCLAIMER:
Elyn Jacobs does not provide medical advice. The information provided is for general information only. No online site should be used as a substitute for personal medical attention.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to forgo medical advice and treatment. This post is not intended to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose any disease or condition. This post does not represent medical advice nor should it be considered to be medical advice or a replacement for medical advice. I encourage you to discuss this information with your integrative oncologist, naturopathic doctor, or conventional oncologist. The information provided is from my research and not to be taken as scientific evidence.
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[i] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3309987/
[ii] https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/tv-viewing-exercise-habits-may-significantly-affect-sperm-count/
[iii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27546318; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4879116/; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4679188/ (BPA links)
[iv] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17482179
[v] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20714683
[vi] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4074720/
[vii] https://pbiosci.ut.ac.ir/article_50306_42f28ca1fe751b63fc3da41feab4821d.pdf
[viii] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2305050015000044
[ix] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6240172/; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6250044/
[x] https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(14)02351-6/abstract
[xi] https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/tv-viewing-exercise-habits-may-significantly-affect-sperm-count/
[xii] https://www.newsweek.com/2017/09/22/male-infertility-crisis-experts-663074.html
Most everyone these days knows that routine medical tests such as mammograms, CT, PET scans, and cellphones subject the body to significant doses of radiation. Even a mere trip to the dentist can result in a hefty dose. But did you know that flying at high altitudes, sitting in front of a computer screen, placing a laptop on your lap, using a clock radio near your bed, using a cordless phone, blow-drying your hair—all of these seemingly innocuous activities are fraught with danger.
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