| hormones

The Eye-Opening Connection Between Vitamin D and Testosterone

By Christopher Walker

The Eye-Opening Connection Between Vitamin D and Testosterone

In past posts, we have discussed the foods and supplements that raise testosterone. The answer to T enhancement lies in natural vitamins and minerals and never synthetic solutions like TRT or anabolic steroids. Speaking of vitamins, a growing body of research is beginning to yield a connection between vitamin D and testosterone.

So, what’s the vitamin D testosterone connection? Contrary to popular belief, this vitamin does so much more for the body than just build strong bones. New bodies of evidence now suggest vitamin D also increases male anabolic hormones.

In one study, men that took a vitamin D supplement over the course of a year had 25 percent higher testosterone levels at the conclusion of the trial.

In another study involving 824 male subjects, 68 percent were found to be vitamin D deficient. Those that were deficient and took no forms of corrective action had average testosterone levels of 319.6 ng/L. By comparison, those with sufficient vitamin D had testosterone readings of 341.7 ng/L.

READ MORE: Why Should You Take Testro-X

That’s not all; studies also show a link between low vitamin D levels and erectile dysfunction. This is not a surprise; low testosterone has long been linked to low libido and diminished sexual drive. It stands to reason then, that since vitamin D raises testosterone, it also subsequently boosts performance in the bedroom.

How Does Vitamin D Work?:

How Does Vitamin D work

How exactly does vitamin D raise testosterone? In other words, what’s the link? Researchers still aren’t entirely clear of the vitamin D and testosterone connection. However, what we do know is that this vitamin behaves more like a hormone than like other vitamins. In this sense, researchers consider it a master key of sorts for upregulating other hormonal production, including testosterone.

Vitamin D may also increase testosterone in a more indirect manner. Sleep is another factor that greatly influences T output. There is plenty of research linking insomnia and other sleep disorders to low testosterone. '

Studies show vitamin D also regulates the body’s biological clock, thus promoting a good night’s rest come bedtime. One study found that vitamin D supplementation improved sleep quality and quantity. It also reduced sleep latency; in other words, it decreased the amount of time it took for subjects to fully fall asleep from the time their head hit the pillow.

How To Get More Vitamin D:

Now that you understand the vitamin D testosterone link, you know why deficiency of this vitamin spells doom for men. Not to fear, though. Regardless of age or current state of health, you can naturally raise vitamin D levels in one of two ways: through food/supplementation and sunlight.

Vitamin D From Sunlight:

Vitamin D Sunlight

Do you know why over 40 percent of American adults are vitamin D deficient, according to one study? Yes, poor diet is one factor, but the other reason is that we spend too much time indoors. Humans are not meant to be cooped up inside their homes or offices nearly all day. We are meant to spend a good deal of time outside and bask in the sun.

There is a reason vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin. Sun exposure helps the body utilize cholesterol to initiate vitamin D synthesis. To take advantage of the sun’s rays, we suggest spending time outside around midday, or around noon when the rays are shining at peak intensity. If you must be indoors, then try to spend the time directly next to a window.

LEARN MORE: 3 Natural Steroid Alternatives

We’re not even suggesting you need to spend the bulk of your time outside. One UK study found that just 13 minutes of outdoor time at noon three time per week was enough to maintain healthy D levels.

Vitamin D from Food:

Vitamin D Food

Certain foods are vitamin D powerhouses. While vitamin D can be found in both animal and vegan sources, we recommend getting the bulk of your intake from the former.

There are actually two forms of vitamin D:

  • Vitamin D2 is found mainly in non-animal derivatives, such as mushrooms, soy and fortified breads.
  • Vitamin D3 is found in meats and dairy, such as beef liver, yogurt and oysters.

Try to consume mostly vitamin D3 from organically derived sources. While D2 and D3 are similar at the molecular level, they are not equal from a bioavailability standpoint. Research shows D3 consumption raises body D levels higher than consuming D2 foods.

In another study, subjects were split into a D2 and D3 supplementation group. Both groups saw an increase in D levels. However, when both groups were retested 50 days after discontinuing supplementation, the D3 group maintained elevated levels. The D2 group, by contrast, saw their D concentration decrease to a level below that of the placebo group.

Vitamin D and Testosterone Are Inextricably Linked:

All the body of research presented reveal an irrefutable connection between vitamin D and testosterone. This is also a vitamin you should be consuming regardless based on the plethora of other benefits and its ability to aid in other vitamin and mineral absorption.

Testro-X

For men, we recommend more time in the sun and vitamin D-rich foods in conjunction with a supplement like Testro-X. This multi-pathway approach will naturally raise testosterone to levels above normal for your age.

Citations and Sources

1.

Pilz S, Frisch S, Koertke H, et al. Effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone levels in men. Horm Metab Res. 2011;43(3):223-225. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21154195.

2.

Talib R, Khalafalla K, Cangüven Ö. The role of vitamin D supplementation on erectile function. Turk J Urol. 2017;43(2):105-111. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5503426.

3.

Wittert G. The relationship between sleep disorders and testosterone in men. Asian J Androl. 2014;16(2):262-265. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3955336.

4.

Majid M, Ahmad H, Bizhan H, Hosein H, Mohammad A. The effect of vitamin D supplement on the score and quality of sleep in 20-50 year-old people with sleep disorders compared with control group. Nutr Neurosci. 2018;21(7):511-519. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28475473.

5.

Forrest K, Stuhldreher W. Prevalence and correlates of vitamin D deficiency in US adults. Nutr Res. 2011;31(1):48-54. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21310306.

6.

Rhodes L, Webb A, Fraser H, et al. Recommended summer sunlight exposure levels can produce sufficient (> or =20 ng ml(-1)) but not the proposed optimal (> or =32 ng ml(-1)) 25(OH)D levels at UK latitudes. J Invest Dermatol. 2010;130(5):1411-1418. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20072137.

7.

Tripkovic L, Lambert H, Hart K, et al. Comparison of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplementation in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012;95(6):1357-1364. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3349454.