Getting plenty of sunshine is beneficial, and folic acid supplementation can treat erectile dysfunction (ED).

**Getting plenty of sunshine is also beneficial.**

People often use the term "sunshine boy" to describe energetic men, and indeed, sunlight is an important substance for enhancing male vitality, including sperm motility. During the sunniest summer months, women's pregnancy rates tend to be higher, which is related to sunlight promoting the body's synthesis of vitamin D. Recent research shows that lifestyle changes and vitamin D supplementation can help improve infertility.

An Australian study on infertility found that men who cannot impregnate their partners commonly suffer from vitamin D deficiency.

Lu Bodong, Vice President of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, stated that vitamin D plays a crucial role in semen production, not only aiding in semen formation but also enhancing sperm motility. It has been estimated that the activity of vitamin D receptors in the semen of normal men is three times that of infertile men.

The incidence of male infertility is rising. According to data released by the World Health Organization, about 15% of couples are unable to conceive within one year of marriage. Moreover, the cause of most cases of infertility is unknown and is classified as idiopathic infertility.

Lu Bodong suggests that men experiencing unexplained infertility should increase their sun exposure. This Australian study found that lifestyle changes and vitamin D supplementation significantly improved male infertility. However, improper sun exposure may increase the risk of skin cancer. Generally, it's ideal to sunbathe when the temperature is between 18°C ​​and 20°C, preferably through outdoor exercise, as exercise helps with vitamin D absorption. However, the duration should be limited to a maximum of two hours, avoiding the peak sunlight hours of 12 PM to 3 PM, and avoiding sunscreen application to prevent interference with vitamin D absorption.

Author: Geng Qiang, Department of Andrology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

**Folic acid supplementation can cure erectile dysfunction.**

Folic acid has long been widely used to prevent neural tube defects in fetuses and is a supplement specifically for pregnant women. However, recent research shows that folic acid is also beneficial for men's sexual health, especially in treating erectile dysfunction (ED) in diabetic men.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a significant complication of diabetes. Statistics show that over 50% of diabetic patients develop ED within 10 years of diagnosis, and 20% of patients are only diagnosed with diabetes when they seek medical attention for ED. A survey of over 6,700 male patients in mainland China indicated that the prevalence of ED among diabetic patients is as high as 78%. Regarding diabetes, doctors often only focus on advising dietary restrictions, neglecting the issue of ED, or simply recommending medication.

In fact, paying attention to food choices also has a significant impact on improving erectile dysfunction (ED). Folic acid is not only an essential coenzyme in the metabolism of fats and amino acids in the human body, but its main function is to help produce red blood cells and prevent red blood cell degeneration. However, medical experts have pointed out that low folic acid levels in men can lead to decreased semen concentration and weakened sperm motility.

A recent study on a diabetic rat model that was given folic acid showed that folic acid-rich foods can improve penile corpus cavernosum function, eliminate oxidative stress in the penis, and may have a therapeutic effect on erectile dysfunction (ED).

Guo Jun, director of the Department of Andrology at Xiyuan Hospital of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, stated that while andrology departments typically use medications like Viagra to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), this study indicates that patients should also supplement with folic acid, which can be beneficial for treatment. Furthermore, folic acid is non-toxic; trials have shown that doctors have reported no toxicity when administering 150mg daily to children and 450mg daily to adults. As a water-soluble vitamin, excess folic acid will be excreted from the body when taken in excess, but excessive intake can mask symptoms of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency.

He also cautioned that traditional Chinese diets often lead to insufficient folic acid intake, and some unscientific cooking methods can easily destroy folic acid. Cooking time should not be too long, and vegetables should not be kept in the refrigerator for extended periods, as high temperatures and freezing will significantly reduce folic acid levels.

Guo Jun suggests that men who enjoy a diet high in meat and fish, especially if they consume too much protein and too few fruits and vegetables, will experience nutritional imbalances. Consuming vegetables rich in folic acid is crucial for managing diabetic complications. For men's health and to become truly robust, a balanced diet of both fruits, vegetables, and meat is essential.

Author: Zhang Muchuan, Department of Andrology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences