Testosterone is an important marker when it comes to your health, fitness, and fertility, but it doesn’t work in isolation. If you’re thinking about your testosterone levels, it’s a good idea to look at the bigger picture.
The ability of your body to produce the right levels of testosterone, and for that testosterone to work effectively, depends on lots of health and lifestyle factors, from your diet and sleeping habits to whether you are getting enough essential vitamins and minerals.
We’re going beyond testosterone alone to take a closer look at the other elements you need to know about, alongside your testosterone levels, if you want to improve your health, increase your fitness, and build muscle more effectively.
Many of us are deficient in certain B vitamins, thanks to unbalanced diets and a lack of exposure to a climate which naturally provides them. And a vitamin B-12 deficiency in particular can have an impact on testosterone levels.
What is B-12 and why is it important?
B-12 is one of a range of vitamins in the B complex. It’s particularly important for maintaining brain function, producing red blood cells, and creating and regulating DNA.
Every cell in the body needs vitamin B-12, relying on its ability to release energy by helping your body absorb folic acid.
Your body produces millions of red blood cells every minute, but without vitamin B-12 they can’t multiply properly. If your levels are too low, the production of red blood cells reduces, resulting in anaemia.
What are the signs of a B-12 deficiency?
There are a few reasons you can be deficient in vitamin B-12.
B-12 is derived from diet, particularly milk, eggs, and meat. Because of this, people who avoid animal products can find themselves deficient in vitamin B-12.
But it’s not only those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet who may be at risk of a vitamin D deficiency. Older people and those who are pregnant, or breastfeeding can also have low levels of the vitamin, as well as people who naturally struggle to absorb B-12 from their diet.
A deficiency in B-12, or folate, can cause a wide range of problems, including:
- Fatigue and low energy
- Mouth ulcers
- Muscle weakness
- Pins and needles
- Problems with memory
- Psychological problems, which may include depression
- Sore, red tongue
How does vitamin B12 impact testosterone?
Having the right levels of B-12 is important for maintaining general health, and in turn, hormonal balance.
When your body lacks enough B-12, testosterone levels can drop significantly. Vitamin B-12 also impacts testicular health and sperm quality, as well as energy levels, stamina, and concentration.
Taking a look at your testosterone – look a little deeper
When looking indicators of your health and fitness, it’s always a good idea to get as much of a holistic view as you can, as there are so many elements which can influence how effectively our body is functioning.
And this is certainly the case when it comes to testosterone. Understanding the crucial elements linked to your testosterone levels can help you make the right dietary, supplement, and exercise-based choices for you.
