There is some interesting empirical evidence how Vitamin D3 Helps Boost Low Testosterone Levels in Men
A randomized placebo-controlled study of overweight men was conducted in Germany. The study concluded that daily usage of Vitamin D3 for a year, lead to an increase in low testosterone levels in study subjects.
The increase in the male sex hormone was small, about 5%. The researchers concluded that a daily intake of 3,333 IU/day for 12 consecutive months, can help boost low testosterone levels in men over age 40.
What Defines Low Testosterone Levels ?
Testosterone levels peak in a male around age 18-21. Around age 35 testosterone levels begin to decrease naturally about 1% per year.
In the average healthy adult male, testosterone levels range between 250 to 1200 ng/dL. In many doctors’ opinions, anyone with level of 650 to 800 or above has a healthy amount of testosterone. But if your testosterone level is below 300, then you might be suffering from low testosterone.
So what does it mean when you have “low testosterone levels? This condition has several novel names, including male menopause or hypogonadism?”
Sex-Hormone Binding Globulin (SBHG) is a protein that binds itself to free testosterone. This is to regulate the amount of testosterone in the body. This bound testosterone is inactive and unavailable for the male body to use. This is a leading contributor to low testosterone in men often due to poor diet and lack of exercise.
Low Testosterone Supplements You May not Know About
Are you aware that there are many different natural testosterone remedies you can try to boost low testosterone levels in your body naturally before you consider a natural testosterone booster or bio-identical hormone therapy?
For example, did you know that Vitamin D3 and Zinc could help boost testosterone levels naturally? Similar to how Soy can help women with low estrogen, these natural supplements can help raise your free testosterone levels.
Are you having trouble sleeping? Low T levels have been shown to negatively affect sleep in men over 40.
Vitamin D3 Case Study
In this recent case study, it was shown that men who suffer from Vitamin D3 deficiency (men who have lower than the normal level of 25 ng/mL), also often suffer from symptoms of low testosterone.
As Vitamin D3 supplements were given to the test subjects, their low testosterone levels began to increase in response. This indicates that Vitamin D3 may help with the synthesis of natural testosterone. Also during this case study, men who had normal levels of testosterone, (before taking Vitamin D3 supplement) similarly saw an increase in testosterone as they continued to take the supplement.
What will a Testosterone Blood Test Will Determine?
A blood test for low testosterone levels will determine the levels of free testosterone, or bio-available sex hormone. The test will also determine the about of bound or unavailable testosterone.
The testosterone is “bound” to Sex-Hormone Binding Globulin (SBHG). This makes it unavailable for the body to use.
Something as simple as taking a natural supplement, improving your sleep or changing your diet to include more foods that contain Vitamin D3 like fatty fish high in Omega 3 Fatty Acids, mushrooms, eggs and milk, might be all you need to help increase your testosterone levels and get you back into normal range.
Your doctor may want to test your testosterone levels in the morning, afternoon and evening to gauge fluctuations in your testosterone levels. Your doctor should schedule several follow-up visits to determine a plan for a long-term solution to boost low testosterone!
5 Symptoms of Low Testosterone Levels in Men
One thing to also keep in mind is the fact that these case study results come from a year or more of monitoring and data collecting. This meaning that you may not see any relief from your low testosterone symptoms whether it’s:
- low sex drive
- fatigue
- increase in body fat
- mood swings
- or even hair loss for at least a year!
Should you take Zinc Supplements
Studies find, the mineral zinc might also correlate with boosting low testosterone levels in men. Zinc is important for protein synthesis in the body (and testosterone is a protein).
This case study noticed an increase in “free testosterone” in their test subjects as they regularly took a daily 30-milligram zinc supplement.
But, another study showed that if you are currently getting enough zinc in your regular diet (around 19 milligrams), adding excess zinc, through a zinc supplement will not help in the production of testosterone. Zinc is found in oysters, pork, beans, yogurt and nuts.
Incorporating these foods into your diet may help increase your free testosterone levels, but take care as too much zinc can cause zinc toxicity, so make sure that you monitor your daily zinc intake.
In Conclusion
If you have been suffering from low testosterone levels for more than a year and are looking to get your life back quicker, then consider starting bio-identical hormone therapy.
In the case of testosterone, the body cannot tell the difference between the two, and the presence of bio-identical testosterone can induce the body to naturally produce more. Many low testosterone treatments involve injecting testosterone directly into patient. This treatment is much faster: in about 2-3 months, you will start feeling your low testosterone symptoms dissipate.
When looking for a low testosterone treatment, find a doctor that will carefully monitor your testosterone levels. This will ensure that you are within the healthy range of 650 to 1200 ng/dL. Testosterone levels fluctuate naturally throughout the day.
For more information on low testosterone and different low testosterone treatments feel free to contact us!
Author Bio:
Julie Katz is the content marketing manager for AgeFocus, a Long Island Medical Spa that offers “Age Management” solutions such as low testosterone treatment, bone density and neurocognitive exams. She loves to write blogs about how people can live a longer and happier life.
Ken Weiss is a health blogger who is passionate about natural and holistic cures for men’s health issues. He is the founder of menshealthcures.com
