Common men’s health related supplements (Vitamin D, Zinc, Profertil, Tongkat Ali)

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is both a nutrient we eat and a type of vitamin our bodies make. It is a fat-soluble vitamin. In general, Vitamin D helps the body absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus; both are required for maintaining bone density and formation of new bone.

Some food naturally contain vitamin D, for example:-

• oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel

• red meat

• liver

• egg yolks

• fortified foods – such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals

• mushrooms

For most people, the best way to get enough vitamin D is taking supplement, especially people with vegetarian diet. Vitamin D supplements are available in two forms: vitamin D2 (“ergocalciferol” or pre-vitamin D) and vitamin D3 (“cholecalciferol”). Both are also naturally occurring forms that are produced in the presence of the sun’s ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays, hence its nickname, “the sunshine vitamin.

A recent research in the International Journal of Endocrinology published in 2018[1] has concluded that vitamin D can affect testosterone levels and correcting vitamin D deficiency will effectively improve male sexual health.

It has been established that vitamin D deficiency is linked to poor male sexual function (especially erectile dysfunction). In the mentioned research, the participants had measurements of serum testosterone, Vitamin D, and completed the International Index of Erectile Function-15 (IIEF-15) questionnaire, a series of questions that gauges erectile and orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction. Higher scores on the IIEF-15 indicate better sexual function.

The researchers found that higher levels of vitamin D were associated with higher levels of total testosterone and higher scores on all domains of the IIEF-15. In addition, higher levels of total testosterone were associated with better erectile function and higher total IIEF scores.

In the research discussion, the authors discussed possible reasons behind the vitamin D/sexual function relationship. It is postulated that vitamin D protect the inner linings of the blood vessels from oxidative stress (improves vascular integrity), thus improving thus improving erections. Also, vitamin D deficiency is associated with cardiovascular risk that can also affect sexual function; healthy levels of vitamin D may mitigate this risk and, in turn, benefit sexual health.

It is also noted that diabetic men and smokers tended to have lower testosterone levels. This means that those with such risk factors and sexual dysfunction should screen for Vit D deficiency.

They research has concluded that vitamin D plays an essential role in men’s sexual function and that supplementation can improve it. “If our data will be further confirmed, vitamin D evaluation might be included in the near future in the clinical work-up protocol of male sexual dysfunction,” they wrote.

Zinc

Zinc is considered an essential nutrient, meaning that your body can’t produce or store it.

For this reason, you must get a constant supply through your diet or supplement.

Zinc is required for numerous processes in your body, including

• Gene expression

• Enzymatic reactions

• Immune function

• Protein synthesis

• DNA synthesis

• Wound healing

• Growth and development

Zinc is naturally found in a wide variety of both plant and animal foods.

Diet that includes zinc:

Foods highest in zinc include

• Shellfish: Oysters, crab, mussels, lobster and clams

• Meat: Beef, pork, lamb and bison

• Poultry: Turkey and chicken

• Fish: Flounder, sardines, salmon and sole

• Dairy products: Milk, yogurt and cheese

• Eggs

• Whole grains: Oats, quinoa, brown rice, etc.

• Certain vegetables: Mushrooms, kale, peas, asparagus and beet greens

You can also take zinc supplements or multi-nutrient supplements that provide zinc.

A Journal published in 1996 [2] explained how zinc affects serum testosterone levels. A group of young men with zinc deficient diet were studied and displayed both zinc and testosterone deficiency. Testosterone levels were measured and there was a significant decrease (almost 75 percent) after 20 weeks of a low-zinc diet.

The study also examined zinc supplementation in elderly men. In this study, testosterone levels in the elderly population had almost doubled when given the appropriate amount of zinc supplementation. Hence, it can be concluded that zinc is paramount for testosterone production.

For an adult male, 11 milligrams of zinc per day is considered the ideal amount to consume. Women should limit their zinc intake to 8 milligrams per day.

A high-protein diet will usually contain enough zinc. Meats such as beef, pork, lamb, and chicken are all good sources of zinc. Nuts, whole grains, legumes, and yeast also contain zinc.

PROfertil

Spermatogenesis is the medical term for the production of sperm in the human male body. Spermatogenesis takes about three months. For this to happen, the human body needs various essential nutritive substances to support the various development stages of the sperm cell, such as vitamins, vitamin-like substances, trace elements, mineral substances and amino acids. These nutrients are needed for optimal production of normal and healthy sperms.

PROfertil is a medical dietary supplement containing a number of micronutrients which work to improve male fertility levels. It contains the vitamins, minerals and enzymes necessary for healthy sperm production.

The contents of profertil are such as:-

· L-carnitine

· L-arginine

· Coenzyme Q10

· Vitamin E

· Zinc

· Folic acid

· Glutathione

· Selenium

The breakdown of the proven effects of each micronutrients within PROfertil are as highlighted:-

For men with the desire to have children the most important task is to optimise their normal reproductive function and to maintain normal spermatogenesis. The demand for those specific nutrients which contribute to normal fertility is substantial and it can be demonstrated that with the regular and targeted supply of a well-balanced combination of specific nutrient substances in sufficient quantities the natural process of sperm production may be affected on a nutritional basis.

Numerous substances which are vital for spermatogenesis have already been analysed individually and the findings are published by scientists. The formulation of the individual substances contained in PROfertil is based on these scientific results and the specific composition of PROfertil is tested in scientific studies.

Tongkat Ali

Eurycoma longifolia, or tongkat ali, is a tree found in mainly Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Some species of the plant also grow in regions of Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand. The plant’s long, twisted roots of which has been harvested for it’s medicinal value.

The health benefits of tongkat ali comes from various compounds found in the plant. Specifically, tongkat ali contains flavonoids, alkaloids, and other compounds that act as antioxidants.

Among some of the potential health benefits of tongkat ali includes:-

· Increase in serum testosterone hormone

• A 1-month study in 76 older men with low testosterone found that taking 200 mg of tongkat ali extract per day significantly increased levels of this hormone to normal values in over 90% of participants[1]

· increased semen volumes, sperm count, sperm viability, and sperm motility[2]

· potential increase in libido

• A 2019 in rats suggested that the aphrodisiac effects of E. longifolia may be due to the elevation of testosterone levels and enhancement of dopamine in the brain.[3]

· Improved sperm concentration and motility

• a 12-week study in 108 men ages 30–55 observed that taking 300 mg of tongkat ali extract daily increased sperm volume and motility by an average of 18% and 44%, respectively[4]

According to these studies, tongkat ali effectively treats low testosterone and infertility in some men, but more extensive research is needed.

[1] Tirabassi G, Sudano M, Salvio G, Cutini M, Muscogiuri G, Corona G et al. Vitamin D and Male Sexual Function: A Transversal and Longitudinal Study. International Journal of Endocrinology. 2018;2018:1-8.

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ije/2018/3720813/

[2]1Prasad A, Mantzoros C, Beck F, Hess J, Brewer G. Zinc status and serum testosterone levels of healthy adults. Nutrition. 1996;12(5):344-348.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8875519/

[3]Tambi M, Imran M, Henkel R. Standardised water-soluble extract of Eurycoma longifolia, Tongkat ali, as testosterone booster for managing men with late-onset hypogonadism?. Andrologia. 2011;44:226-230.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21671978/

[4]Rehman S, Choe K, Yoo H. Review on a Traditional Herbal Medicine, Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali): Its Traditional Uses, Chemistry, Evidence-Based Pharmacology and Toxicology. Molecules. 2016;21(3):331.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6274257/

[5]Ezzat S, Ezzat M, Okba M, Hassan S, Alkorashy A, Karar M et al. Brain Cortical and Hippocampal Dopamine: A New Mechanistic Approach for Eurycoma longifolia Well-Known Aphrodisiac Activity and Its Chemical Characterization. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2019;2019:1-13.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6582863/

[6]Ismail S, Wan Mohammad W, George A, Nik Hussain N, Musthapa Kamal Z, Liske E. Randomized Clinical Trial on the Use of PHYSTA Freeze-Dried Water Extract ofEurycoma longifoliafor the Improvement of Quality of Life and Sexual Well-Being in Men. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2012;2012:1-10.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23243445/