Plastic food containers may be killing your sperm but a poop-inspired supplement might help

The secret to stronger swimmers may be living in your gut. A growing body of research suggests that an industrial chemical found in plastic food containers and other everyday products may be taking a toll on male fertility, lowering sperm counts, slowing their movement and raising the risk of abnormalities.Now, scientists say a dietary supplement developed in Japan may help blunt some of that damage — and it’s inspired by something typically flushed away without a second thought.The new study, led by scientists at Osaka Metropolitan University, focused on countering the effects of Bisphenol A, or BPA.The man-made chemical has been used since the 1950s to make certain plastics and resins stronger, more durable and heat-resistant, including those used in food packaging and the inner coatings of metal cans.But BPA doesn’t always stay locked inside those materials.

Studies show it can leach into food and drinks from the containers they’re stored in, quietly making its way into the human body.In fact, government scientists estimate that more than 90% of Americans have detectable levels in their system.Over time, exposure to BPA has been linked to a range of health concerns, including developmental issues and problems with reproduction.To better understand the impact, the researchers exposed rodents to the chemical in a lab.They found it triggered oxidative stress — or an imbalance between the body’s natural antioxidant defenses and unstable, highly reactive molecules known as free radicals that can damage healthy cells. The effects on the rodents’ sperm showed up quickly.

Within just one week of BPA exposure, the scientists observed a spike in free radical production in the animals’ swimmers. By eight weeks, the damage was more pronounced.The sperm weren’t moving as well across several key measures, including speed and the subtle “head movements” that help guide them toward an egg and play a role in fertilization.Because free radicals can be n...