Male Fertility & Preconception Nutrition: Which Vitamins and Minerals Matter When Trying for a Baby?

When a couple is trying to conceive, nutrition advice often focuses almost entirely on women – especially folic acid. But preconception nutrition matters for men too.

Sperm development is a continuous biological process, and an adequate supply of essential micronutrients is part of normal reproductive function. Among these nutrients, zinc and selenium are particularly relevant: zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction, while selenium contributes to normal spermatogenesis.

So which nutrients should men pay attention to when planning a pregnancy? When should preconception nutrition begin? And what role can a specialised formula such as Folio® fertil men play?

Male Preconception Nutrition: Why Does It Matter?

Pregnancy may take place in the woman's body, but conception involves both partners.

For men, sperm must first be produced and mature before fertilisation can occur. According to the manufacturer of Folio® fertil men, the maturation process of an individual sperm cell takes approximately three months.

That makes the months before conception particularly relevant.

A balanced diet, healthy lifestyle and adequate intake of essential vitamins and minerals provide the nutritional foundation for normal physiological processes – including normal male reproductive function.

How Long Does Sperm Development Take?

Sperm are not produced overnight.

The manufacturer explains that sperm formation and maturation – spermatogenesis – takes place through successive stages, with an individual sperm cell requiring approximately three months to mature.

This is one reason why male preconception planning should ideally begin before a couple starts actively trying for pregnancy.

For Folio® fertil men specifically, the manufacturer's recommendation is to begin taking the supplement:

Approximately 3 Months Before the Desired Pregnancy

and continue during the period in which the couple is trying to conceive.

Which Nutrients Are Important for Male Fertility?

There is no single “fertility vitamin.”

Different micronutrients perform different physiological functions, and it is important not to attribute the same benefit to every ingredient.

Folio® fertil men therefore combines several vitamins and minerals, including:

Zinc

Selenium

Folic Acid

Vitamin B2

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B12

Vitamin C

Vitamin D3

Vitamin E

Vitamin A from Beta-Carotene

Copper

plus:

Lycopene

The current formulation provides these nutrients in just one tablet per day.

1. Zinc: A Key Nutrient for Normal Male Fertility

Zinc is one of the most relevant minerals when discussing male preconception nutrition because it has an established nutritional role in reproduction.

Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction.

It also contributes to:

Maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood

Normal DNA synthesis

Normal immune function

and:

Protection of cells from oxidative stress.

One Folio® fertil men tablet provides:

10 mg Zinc = 100% NRV

The manufacturer advises against simultaneously taking additional zinc-containing food supplements while using Folio® fertil men.

2. Selenium: Important for Normal Spermatogenesis

Selenium has another particularly relevant authorised nutritional function:

Selenium contributes to normal spermatogenesis.

In other words, selenium has an established role in the normal process of sperm formation.

One Folio® fertil men tablet provides:

90 µg Selenium = 164% NRV

Selenium also contributes to normal immune and thyroid function and to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.

This combination of zinc + selenium is at the centre of the Folio® fertil men formulation.

3. Is Folic Acid Only Important for Women?

Folic acid is strongly associated with women's preconception and pregnancy supplements – but folate also performs important physiological functions in men.

Folate contributes to:

Normal homocysteine metabolism

Normal blood formation

Normal psychological function

Normal immune function

Reduction of tiredness and fatigue

and:

The process of cell division.

Folio® fertil men provides:

300 µg Folic Acid = 150% NRV

The formula also contains vitamins B6 and B12, which, together with folate, contribute to normal homocysteine metabolism.

So while women's folic-acid requirements receive more attention during pregnancy planning, folate is certainly not a nutrient that is biologically relevant only to women.

4. Why Are Antioxidant Nutrients Included?

Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between reactive compounds and the body's protective mechanisms.

Several nutrients in Folio® fertil men contribute to:

Protection of Cells from Oxidative Stress

These include:

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

Vitamin B2

Zinc

Selenium

Copper

The manufacturer specifically notes the relevance of this nutritional function in the context of male preconception nutrition.

It is important, however, to describe this accurately: these micronutrients have authorised antioxidant-related nutritional functions. That does not mean the supplement itself can be claimed to treat infertility or guarantee improved sperm quality.

5. Vitamin D3 & Male Preconception Nutrition

Folio® fertil men provides:

20 µg Vitamin D3 = 800 IU = 400% NRV

Vitamin D contributes to:

Normal immune function

Maintenance of normal muscle function

Maintenance of normal bones

and:

The process of cell division.

The vitamin D3 used in Folio® fertil men is obtained from sheep's wool and then highly purified. For this reason, the current tablets are classified as vegetarian rather than vegan.

6. What About Vitamin B12, B6 and B2?

B vitamins perform numerous normal metabolic functions.

One Folio® fertil men tablet contains:

Vitamin B2 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism and protection of cells from oxidative stress.

Vitamins B6 and B12 contribute to normal energy metabolism and normal immune function, while B6, B12 and folate contribute to normal homocysteine metabolism.

7. What Is Lycopene?

Folio® fertil men also contains:

0.5 mg Lycopene per Tablet

Lycopene is a naturally occurring carotenoid and secondary plant compound best known for its presence in foods such as tomatoes.

Unlike zinc, selenium and vitamins, there is no established EU Nutrient Reference Value for lycopene.

It is therefore best viewed as an additional plant compound within the formulation rather than attributing the authorised fertility or spermatogenesis claims of zinc and selenium to lycopene.

What Does Folio® fertil men Provide Per Day?

The complete recommended daily serving is just:

1 Tablet

The vitamin A content corresponds to 1,000 µg beta-carotene.

When Should Men Start Taking Preconception Vitamins?

This is one of the most useful practical questions.

Because sperm development takes time, the manufacturer recommends beginning Folio® fertil men:

3 Months Before the Desired Pregnancy

rather than waiting until the couple has already been trying for several months.

The recommended intake is:

1 Tablet Once Daily

swallowed whole with a little liquid:

During a Meal or Snack

One pack contains 30 tablets, corresponding to approximately a 30-day supply.

Can Vitamins Improve Sperm Quality?

This question needs an important distinction.

Certain nutrients have established physiological functions relevant to male reproduction:

Zinc → contributes to normal fertility and reproduction

Selenium → contributes to normal spermatogenesis

These are recognised nutritional functions.

But a food supplement should not be presented as a treatment for male infertility or as a guarantee that sperm count, motility or morphology will improve.

Fertility is influenced by many factors, including age, underlying medical conditions, genetics and lifestyle.

If a couple has difficulty conceiving, nutritional supplements should not replace appropriate medical evaluation.

Lifestyle Matters Too

Micronutrients are only one part of male preconception health.

The manufacturer emphasises a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet alongside adequate micronutrient intake.

In practical terms, pregnancy planning is a good time to pay attention to overall dietary quality, regular physical activity, adequate sleep and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

A supplement is intended to complement the diet, not compensate for every lifestyle factor.

Folio® fertil men at a Glance

The manufacturer's current information confirms that the tablets are vegetarian and free from gluten, lactose and fructose, as well as artificial flavourings and artificial colours.

Why Choose a Male-Specific Preconception Formula?

A standard multivitamin and a male preconception formula are not necessarily designed with the same priorities.

Folio® fertil men places particular emphasis on:

Zinc for normal fertility and reproduction

Selenium for normal spermatogenesis

while complementing these with folic acid, B vitamins, vitamins C, D3 and E, copper, beta-carotene and lycopene.

It also keeps the routine simple:

One Tablet per Day

For couples preparing for pregnancy together, this provides a male-specific nutritional option rather than treating preconception supplementation as something only the female partner needs to consider.

Shop Folio® fertil men – 30 Tablets at SESORSTUDIO

Final Thoughts

Preconception nutrition is a shared consideration.

For men, zinc and selenium stand out because of their established roles in normal fertility, reproduction and spermatogenesis. Folate, vitamins B6 and B12 contribute to normal homocysteine metabolism, while vitamins C and E, zinc, selenium, copper and vitamin B2 contribute to protecting cells from oxidative stress.

And timing matters: sperm development takes approximately three months, which is why Folio® recommends starting around three months before the desired pregnancy.

Folio® fertil men brings these nutrients together in a convenient once-daily formula specifically developed for men during the baby-planning phase.

Important Information

Folio® fertil men is a food supplement, not a medicine. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure male infertility.

Food supplements should not replace a varied and balanced diet or a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily intake and keep out of reach of young children.

The manufacturer advises not to take additional zinc-containing food supplements at the same time.

If you have concerns about fertility or have been trying to conceive without success, seek individual medical advice rather than relying on supplementation alone.