Plastic food containers may be killing your sperm — but a poop-inspired supplement might help
Research indicates that Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in plastic food containers, may negatively impact male fertility by lowering sperm counts and impairing their movement. A study from Osaka Metropolitan University suggests that a supplement derived from a type of bacteria, FK-23, could help mitigate these effects. The supplement appears to improve sperm movement and reduce cellular stress in reproductive tissues despite ongoing BPA exposure.
- ▪BPA has been linked to lower sperm counts and abnormal sperm shapes.
- ▪Over 90% of Americans have detectable levels of BPA in their systems.
- ▪FK-23 is derived from Enterococcus faecalis and is believed to help reduce oxidative stress in sperm.
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Men's Health Plastic food containers may be killing your sperm — but a poop-inspired supplement might help By McKenzie Beard Published May 23, 2026, 1:54 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google 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.
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