Did you know that vitamin D can affect testosterone in your body? If you struggle to finish the last workout at the gym or feel run down lately, these could be signs of low testosterone. Low Testosterone (Low-T) or Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (TD) affects about 40% of American men aged 45 and above. These men can have a low sex drive, fatigue, and a loss of muscular strength. Read on to learn why taking vitamin D when you have a vitamin D deficiency can increase your testosterone levels.
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What Is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble nutrient. One can naturally find it in a few foods, such as fatty fish and mushrooms.
Manufacturers also fortify other foods like milk with vitamin D. Your body can produce high vitamin D amounts when you expose your skin to direct rays from the sun. However, take caution when in direct sunlight as overexposure may cause health complications.
Why Is Vitamin D Essential?
Vitamin D helps your muscles, bones, and nerves function properly. It also helps the body absorb essential minerals, such as magnesium and calcium. Athletes also need vitamin D at optimal levels to stimulate muscle growth, cut unnecessary body fat, and increase power.
Your liver converts vitamin D into an active version called 25-hydroxyvitamin D or 25(OH)D. Your doctor measures the presence of this substance during a vitamin D blood test. This vitamin D version is sent throughout your body and used by different tissues and organs, including the male reproductive tract.
Vitamin D also helps women have strong bones, healthy ovaries, and healthy libido.
The Link Between Vitamin D and Testosterone
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient in:
- Promoting bone health
- Supporting healthy muscle and nerve function
- Supporting healthy testosterone levels
Low-T can have symptoms that resemble the signs of vitamin D deficiency. These similar symptoms can include decreased sex drive and erectile dysfunction. Other parallel symptoms of these conditions are fatigue, weakness, and reduced muscle and bone strength.
What Causes Low Testosterone?
Testosterone levels drop naturally as men age. However, some men can experience an unusual drop. Here are some things that can cause low testosterone:
- Aging
- Stress
- Medical complications
- High body fat
- High iron levels in blood
Can Vitamin D Boost Testosterone Levels?
The link between testosterone and vitamin D isn't well understood. However, some studies show that taking vitamin D can increase testosterone in some people.
A study examining men with low testosterone and vitamin D showed that their testosterone and vitamin D levels increased after they took vitamin D supplements. Another research showed that vitamin D supplements cause no changes among healthy, middle-aged males with normal testosterone levels.
These conflicting studies show vitamin D can boost testosterone levels among some people but have no effect on others.
How Much Vitamin D You Can Take To Increase Testosterone Levels
Have a vitamin D blood test before taking supplements. This test confirms whether you have a vitamin D deficiency. Having a vitamin D level of 20–30 ng/mL is low.
Research shows taking 50,000 IU (units) weekly or 6000 IU daily for eight weeks, then 1000–2000 IU daily for maintenance can treat vitamin D deficiency. You can meet the intake requirement via diet or supplements. An increase in vitamin D can cause an increase in your testosterone level.
How To Increase Vitamin D in Your Diet
Eating certain foods can affect testosterone levels. To ensure you get adequate adequate vitamin D, try including these foods in your diet:
- Cod liver oil: 1 tablespoon —1,360 IU
- Salmon, cooked: 3 ounces — 570 IU
- Egg: 1 large with a yolk — 44 IU
- Tuna fish (light), canned in water & drained: 3 ounces — 40 IU
- Cheese, cheddar: 1 ounce — 12 IU
- Milk, 2% milkfat & vitamin D fortified: 1 cup —120 IU
We created a complete guide on how to increase free testosterone levels that is worth checking out. Since vitamin D is rare in food and prolonged sun exposure has health risks, doctors and dietitians can prescribe varying supplement doses. Mdrive is our testosterone booster that helps men have healthy energy levels, muscle mass, bones, and sex drive. Browse our supplements for men or contact us today to discover how to increase testosterone using Mdrive.
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