Vitamin A and Testosterone: A Powerful T Boosting Nutrient
Vitamin A and Testosterone
Before I go deep into the link between Vitamin A and testosterone and the role it plays in the human body it’s essential that we look at exactly what vitamins are in general, and what Vitamin A is in particular.
The reason this is important is as follows: there is a general misconception among the public regarding vitamins. Most of us believe vitamins are particular compounds, with a defined molecular structure.
In reality, vitamins are the names given to an entire group of compounds “vital to a specific organism”, which have a similar biological and chemical effect on the organism’s body.
Thus, Vitamin A is not a single compound. It is rather a category of organic compounds that have a certain effect on the body. Vitamin A is known to play a huge part in cell growth, vision, and the proper functioning of organs.
Vitamin A occurs primarily in two categories: the retinoids (preformed active Vitamin A, found in animal sources of food), and the carotenoids (provitamin A pigments found in plants).
The active, preformed Vitamin A is more readily usable in the body, whereas the carotenoids from the plant sources are Vitamin A precursors, which the body ultimately converts into active retinoid forms.
Ultimately, all sources of Vitamin A are converted into retinol by the body before physiologically using it.
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of Vitamin A for men is 900 micrograms.
Vitamin A and Testosterone Production
There are a number of ways in which Vitamin A is linked to testosterone levels – this is because Vitamin A has a very high ranking in the list of essential nutrients for the human body.
And its deficiency can cause major detrimental effects on a person’s general health; which eventually, destroys the hormonal balance.
But let us look at into more detail about the direct link between Vitamin A and testosterone and why Vitamin A is one of the best vitamins for testosterone production.
Vitamin A in the Male Testicles
As a fitting harbinger to its beneficial role in the reproductive system, it’s important to mention that Vitamin A is found in male testicles.
Cells known as the Sertoli cells store Vitamin A in its retinol state. Vitamin A gets to these cells because it is able to cross the blood-testis barrier.
While human research is still ongoing regarding the effect of Vitamin A levels in the testes on testosterone production, there is significant credible literature studying this relationship in rats – and because the testosterone production mechanisms in rats are very similar to humans, the results are very relevant.
In this study, for instance, it was concluded with strong evidence that Vitamin A was an essential nutrient in the testicles for testosterone production.
Rats that were deficient in Vitamin A not only experienced a regular decrease in testosterone levels but eventually, the testicular tissues started to wither.
This means that Vitamin A is not merely an aid to testosterone production, rather, T production cannot occur without it.
Another study done on human male twins also arrived at a positive correlation between Vitamin A levels and testosterone – further corroborating the results predicted by the rat studies.
Lastly, studies done on a tribe of primitive people in the 1930s reported that the group had 10 times more Vitamin A in their body as compared to the modern man living today.
This study highlights how our modern diet can result in low levels of Vitamin A.
Vitamin A, Fat Absorption, And Testosterone
Proper fat intake is essential to testosterone production. There have been studies that have proven that diets high in saturated fats and monosaturated fats do increase the production of testosterone.
Now, the important thing to mention here is Vitamin A’s role in the absorption of fats in the body, so that they can be used to increase T production.
A deficiency in Vitamin A results in the inability of the body to efficiently use the dietary fat for different bodily functions, thus, directly influencing T production as well.
Vitamin A, Transferrin, And Testosterone
Transferrin is a protein, more specifically a glycoprotein in the blood plasma; which is also responsible for transferring cholesterol to the Leydig cells in the testicles, where they are converted to, you guessed it, testosterone.
Vitamin A has a very important part here as well. The body is unable to synthesize transferrin without Vitamin A. Thus a deficiency in Vitamin A would directly impact T levels.
Based on an understanding of these important scientific insights, there is definitely enough evidence to show why you wouldn’t want to become deficient in Vitamin A if you value your T levels.
But that said there are still things to watch out for.
While we have quite clearly established an important relationship between Vitamin A and testosterone production in the body, it is important to not get carried away, which is often the case when a nutrient is linked with boosting T naturally.
First of all, you can overdose on Vitamin A. Being fat-soluble, Vitamin A can stay in the body, especially the liver for a long time.
It is stored easily, and thus is a risk factor for overdose – a condition called hypervitaminosis (abnormally high vitamin levels). This condition can have a severe negative impact on your health.
Secondly, there is no scientific evidence which claims that your T levels can benefit by going all crazy on Vitamin A.
However, the T level benefit will occur as long as the optimal required amount of Vitamin A is achieved in the body, and not beyond that.
Thus, it is very important to make sure you are getting the required amount of Vitamin A.
Yes, Vitamin A’s direct relationship with reproductive health and especially testosterone levels has been well documented, which means it definitely is a very important Vitamin for men.
Just remember not all Vitamin A types have exactly the same effect, and their absorption in the body differs with the source of the vitamin as well.
The best way to make sure you get enough Vitamin A is to supplement with a High Vitamin Butter Oil/Fermented Cod Liver Oil that contains pure fat-soluble vitamins.
Liver Tablets are another great option as they contain the active forms of Vitamin A.
A healthy level of Vitamin A in your diet will not only keep your T levels up but is integral to its production.
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