By Joel Pelissier, MD
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient and one of the 24 micronutrients vital for human survival. The sun is the primary natural source, stimulating vitamin D production in the skin, but it can also be found naturally in oily fish and eggs, and is often added to milk and milk alternatives. Vitamin D supplementation is linked to a range of benefits, including enhanced immune health, stronger bones, and overall well-being. It may also lower the risk of cancer mortality, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.
The effects of vitamin D likely depend on a person’s circulating levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D; a form of vitamin D that is measured in blood samples to determine vitamin D status), and many of the benefits of supplementation will only be seen once a deficiency is reversed. Vitamin D exists in two forms: D2 (found in mushrooms) and D3 (found in animal foods), with D3 being more bioavailable. D3 supplements are typically derived from lanolin, which some vegetarians may accept, whereas vegans should seek D3 sourced from lichen extracts.
Dietary sources of vitamin D3 include fatty fish, fish liver oil, beef liver, egg yolks, and UV-exposed mushrooms. Many foods in the U.S. are fortified with vitamin D, such as dairy products, plant-based milks, orange juice, and breakfast cereals. Vitamin D exerts its effects by binding to and activating the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Upon binding vitamin D, the VDR functions as a transcription factor, regulating the activity of over 1,000 different genes. Vitamin D also works through “non-genomic” mechanisms, causing rapid activation of various signaling pathways within the cell.
Although the most commonly associated effects of vitamin D on the body are associated with bone metabolism, the almost ubiquitous presence of VDRs in cells and tissues throughout the body indicates that vitamin D can affect a wide range of physiological processes. The additional effects of vitamin D on the body include, but aren’t limited to, the following:
-Anticancer effects (promotion of cell death or suppressing proliferation in cancer cells)
-Brain development
-Cell differentiation
-Anti-inflammatory effects
-Antibacterial effects (through vitamin D’s effects on immune cells, and its promotion of the expression of genes encoding antimicrobial peptides)
-Blood vessel protection
-Nervous system health
-Calcium regulation
While the effects of vitamin D on calcium metabolism, phosphorus metabolism, and bone support have been well known for decades, other effects of vitamin D on the body are being discovered daily. When it comes to men’s health, vitamin D contributes to maintaining healthy testosterone levels in men, a not-so-well-known effect of this important nutrient. Healthy overweight men undergoing a weight reduction program who participated in a randomized controlled trial were analyzed for testosterone levels to evaluate whether vitamin D supplementation influences testosterone levels in men.
The entire study included 200 nondiabetic subjects, of whom 165 participants (54 men) completed the trial. Participants received either 83 μg (3,332 IU) vitamin D daily for 1 year (n = 31) or placebo (n =2 3). Initial 25(OH)D concentrations were in the deficiency range (< 50 nmol/l), and testosterone values were at the lower end of the reference range (9.09-55.28 nmol/l for males aged 20-49 years) in both groups. Mean circulating 25(OH)D concentrations increased significantly by 53.5 nmol/l in the vitamin D group but remained almost constant in the placebo group. Compared to baseline values, a significant increase in total testosterone levels (from 10.7 ± 3.9 nmol/l to 13.4 ± 4.7 nmol/l; p < 0.001), bioactive testosterone (from 5.21 ± 1.87 nmol/l to 6.25 ± 2.01 nmol/l; p = 0.001), and free testosterone levels (from 0.222 ± 0.080 nmol/l to 0.267 ± 0.087 nmol/l; p = 0.001) were observed in the vitamin D supplemented group. By contrast, there was no significant change in any testosterone measure in the placebo group. The results suggest that vitamin D supplementation might increase testosterone levels.
A Mendelian randomization study used data on 4,254 males from an ongoing cross-sectional study. It assessed genetic variants linked to low vitamin D levels for associations with low testosterone levels. Genetically low vitamin D levels were associated with low testosterone levels, suggesting that low vitamin D was a cause of low testosterone, and controlling for confounding factors didn’t eliminate the association. Many other variables were also assessed as possible causes for low testosterone and were adjusted for.
Other clinical studies suggest that vitamin D may play a role in testosterone production, particularly in individuals with vitamin D deficiency. Research also suggests that there may be a link between low vitamin D levels and the risk of developing erectile dysfunction (ED), but there is not yet a known dose for treating it. Further research is needed to determine whether supplementation with vitamin D can be beneficial for people suffering from ED.
Our dietary supplement, Fire Rx Reloaded contains a solid 80 mcg of vitamin D per serving to harness the positive effect of this vitamin on men’s health. It is important to point out that our vitamin D is extracted from Lichen and not synthesized in a laboratory.
In addition to vitamin D, Fire Rx Reloaded includes Maca (Lepidium Meyenii), Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera), Lycopene, Trans Resveratrol, Pine Bark (Pinus Massoniana), Asian Ginseng, Royal Jelly, Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma Longifolia), Honey, Saffron, Magnesium, Zinc, Chromium, and Boron. This meticulously crafted dietary supplement features a blend of exotic herbs, aphrodisiac plants, vitamins, and minerals that are scientifically proven to naturally boost testosterone, enhance muscle performance, stamina, libido, sexual performance, cardiovascular health, and prostate health. It also supports restful sleep, healthy joints, and offers anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. To guarantee exceptional quality, all minerals in the supplement are chelated, vitamin D is sourced from natural origins, and the supplement is free from GMOs, dairy, gluten, pesticides, and insecticides. It is proudly made in the USA in a GMP-certified facility and undergoes third-party testing.
Order Fire Rx Reloaded here: www.firerxreloaded.com
REFERENCES:
Effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone levels in men – PubMed
Vitamin D benefits, dosage, and side effects
Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms – Pierrot-Deseilligny C, Rivaud-Péchoux S, Clerson P, de Paz R, Souberbielle JCRelationship between 25-OH-D serum level and relapse rate in multiple sclerosis patients before and after vitamin D supplementationTher Adv Neurol Disord.(2012 Jul)
Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms – Margitta T Kampman, Linn H Steffensen, Svein I Mellgren, Lone JørgensenEffect of vitamin D3 supplementation on relapses, disease progression, and measures of function in persons with multiple sclerosis: exploratory outcomes from a double-blind randomised controlled trialMult Scler.(2012 Aug)
Chi Chen, Hualing Zhai, Jing Cheng, Pan Weng, Yi Chen, Qin Li, Chiyu Wang, Fangzhen Xia, Ningjian Wang, Yingli LuCausal Link Between Vitamin D and Total Testosterone in Men: A Mendelian Randomization AnalysisJ Clin Endocrinol Metab.(2019 Aug 1)
