Testosterone & Vitamins
| Fat Soluble Vitamins
| | Water Soluble Vitamins |
The production of testosterone requires sufficient amounts of both fat
soluble and water soluble vitamins. The fat soluble vitamins can be stored
in the fat of your body and need not be taken daily whereas the water soluble
cannot be stored and should be replenished regularly.
Testosterone, principal male hormone, or androgen, are produced mainly in the male testes. These cells also produce two other androgens of less potency and in much smaller quantities.
Testosterone stimulates the development of the male secondary sex characteristics after puberty, causing growth of the beard and pubic hair, development of the penis, and change of voice. The hormone also aids in the growth, muscular development, and masculine body contour of the adult male. See
Hormone.
If, before puberty, little or no testosterone secretion occurs, secondary sexual characteristics fail to develop. In addition, the long bones continue to grow abnormally and give the patient a characteristic tall but effeminate build. If testicular failure follows puberty, less obvious changes occur, although gradual recession of beard, weakening of muscles, increased deposition of fat, and change in voice may develop slowly, with infertility usually present and decreased libido and sexual
dysfunction being common. The hormone is often useful in treating certain types of breast cancer in women (see
Cancer).
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Fat Soluble Vitamins
These vitamins are critical in the formation of hormones including
testosterone, nervous system chemicals known as neurotransmitters, and the genetic material deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Vitamins are classified into two groups: fat soluble and water soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins, which include vitamins A, D, E, and K, are usually absorbed with the help of foods that contain fat. Fat containing these vitamins is broken down by bile, a liquid released by the liver, and the body then absorbs the breakdown products and vitamins. Excess amounts of fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body's fat, liver, and kidneys. Because these vitamins can be stored in the body, they do not need to be consumed every day to meet the body's needs.
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Water Soluble Vitamins
Because these are water-soluble vitamins-that is, they are not stored in the body, but
are excreted in sweat or urine. Riboflavin ( vitamin B2 ) for instance, needs to be constantly replaced in the body.
The same with vitamin C and for this reason these vitamins need to be
replenished on a daily basis.
Without both fat soluble and water soluble vitamins in sufficient quantities
the body cannot reproduce itself and its components, including testosterone.
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Aging and Testosterone
As we age, testosterone decreases. Some research shows that at age 50
your levels can be one half of what they were at age 20. By the time you
are 70 testosterone is extremely low and sometimes almost non-existent. A simple
way to increase testosterone is to apply testosterone cream or gel to your skin
on a daily basis or as directed by your doctor and your testosterone levels can
be back to what they were at a youthful age. A balanced and appropriate intake
of both fat soluble and water soluble vitamins is also important. By the
use of the word "appropriate" it should be understood that water soluble vitamins pass quickly and fat soluble vitamins can be stored in your
body and need not be taken daily. In fact it is possible to overdose on
the fat soluble vitamins.
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