Impact of vitamin D on the male body

Author: Tamara Kramcheninova - sports medicine doctor.
2018-05-03

The majority of Russia is located above the 42nd parallel, which leads to a deficiency of sunlight for the population. This also means a deficiency of vitamin D, as it is produced in the body only in the presence of sunlight. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that people spend almost the entire day indoors.

The role of this vitamin cannot be overstated, as all tissues in the body, including the tissues of the testes in men, require it. Although it is called a vitamin, in most situations it behaves like a hormone and is very important for the maturation of sperm, their motility, and quality. Improving the levels of vitamin D in a man's body leads to enhancements in testosterone levels.

Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency

1. UV rays help synthesize vitamin D in the body. It is known that complete cloudiness reduces UV by 50%, while shade reduces it by 60%. But!—one must be very cautious with UV rays, as excessive exposure can lead to cancer.

2. Sunscreens with SPF 8 and higher block vitamin D production from ultraviolet rays.

3. A lack of dairy products in the diet, as well as lactose intolerance, leads to a decrease in vitamin D levels.

4. Strict vegetarianism (veganism).

5. Excess subcutaneous fat can absorb more vitamin D, thus altering its availability in the blood. Therefore, obesity is a direct indicator of vitamin D intake.

6. The intake of many antibiotics and glucocorticoids.

Overweight men who suffer from low testosterone levels and infertility typically experience a pronounced deficiency of vitamin D.

Similarly, there is a suggestion that a decline in cognitive functions in older individuals is associated with age-related vitamin D deficiency (the skin stops synthesizing it in adequate amounts). Thus, a decrease in intellectual performance at any age is, to some extent, linked to vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D naturally exists only in very limited amounts in certain foods: fish, fatty dairy products, animal liver, and eggs.

In the human body, it can only be produced under specific conditions when ultraviolet rays from sunlight hit the skin. These conditions include: the height of the sun's altitude above the horizon is 45°, clear skies or translucent clouds, and sufficient exposed skin surface (arms, legs, back, chest) being exposed to sunlight at least 2-3 times a week for no less than 15 minutes.

Furthermore, without vitamin D, the protein carrier for calcium absorption cannot be produced.

Scientists have concluded that the optimal level of vitamin D that positively influences sperm quality is a serum concentration of 25(OH)D3 from 30 to 100 ng/ml. Both high and low levels of vitamin D negatively affect spermogram readings and testosterone levels.

From the aforementioned, it can be concluded that an increasing number of men of reproductive age are overweight or obese; they typically spend most of their time in sheltered environments away from sunlight; a lack of proper nutrition and physical activity exacerbates this mechanism, creating a vicious cycle: OBESITY - ANDROGEN DEFICIENCY - VITAMIN D LEVEL, ultimately leading to impaired reproductive function in men.

According to research, taking vitamin D at a dose of 83 mcg (about 3332 IU) daily for one year significantly increased testosterone levels in men.

It should be noted that the presence of obesity will significantly increase the need for vitamin D, and the prescribed dosage should be higher.

Many debates arise regarding the overdose of supplements containing various forms of vitamin D and the maximum allowable doses. According to several authors, 5 months of taking 10,000 IU/day of vitamin D did not lead to hypercalcemia in healthy adults. To assess vitamin D dosage, it is essential to have blood tests for 25(OH)D3 every month.

How to Restore Vitamin D Levels?

First, you need to test your blood for vitamin D and determine its level.

MANDATORY! Adjust your diet and include foods rich in vitamin D.

According to the latest recommendations from the Endocrinology Society, individuals living in areas with insufficient sunlight should take 600 IU/day of vitamin D as a preventive measure.

Men after a course of steroids are advised to have their blood tested for 25(OH)D3 and to include vitamin D3 in doses of at least 2000 IU/day as part of their post-cycle therapy (PCT). This way, vitamin D will act alongside other natural supplements that boost testosterone levels, helping to restore natural testosterone much faster.