A new study published in The Journal of Nutrition has found a clear connection between vitamin B12 levels and testosterone in men facing infertility. The research adds to growing evidence that nutrients may play a role in hormonal balance.
Infertility affects about 16% of couples in North America, with male-related issues making up roughly 30% of cases. Experts are increasingly concerned about declining male fertility, marked by low testosterone and poor sperm quality. In recent decades, men have seen a drop in testosterone that isn’t tied to age.
While genetic and physical issues have traditionally been seen as the main causes of infertility, lifestyle factors like diet, smoking, and sleep are now under the spotlight. Studies show that diets rich in vegetables and fruits and low in processed foods and sugars can boost sperm health.
Vitamin B12 is one nutrient drawing attention. It’s believed to support male fertility and improve sperm quality, though past studies have offered mixed results.
About the Study
Researchers looked at 303 men diagnosed with infertility between 2019 and 2021 at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. Men who had certain genetic or physical conditions, or had taken fertility-related drugs recently, were excluded.
Participants filled out a questionnaire about their health, lifestyle, and demographics. Blood samples were taken to measure vitamin B12 levels and reproductive hormones, including testosterone (TT), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, and estradiol.
Statistical models were used to examine the relationship between vitamin B12 and these hormones.
Key Findings
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The average age of participants was 36.5, and the average BMI was 28.
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Nearly 44% were Caucasian, and 86% were non-smokers.
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Only 0.7% had vitamin B12 deficiency, while 12.2% had high levels.
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The average vitamin B12 level was 446 pmol/L.
Testosterone levels rose along with vitamin B12 levels. This relationship remained even after adjusting for other factors. No strong links were found between vitamin B12 and the other hormones.
Men with higher B12 levels were also less likely to have testosterone deficiency. However, the link between high B12 and lower LH levels weakened after adjusting for variables.
Conclusion
The study found that men with moderate to high levels of vitamin B12 had better testosterone levels. These findings suggest that boosting B12 could lower the risk of testosterone deficiency in men with infertility.
Still, the researchers caution that more work is needed. The study was cross-sectional, so it cannot prove cause and effect. Self-reported data and missing details about other nutrients may also affect the results.
Future research should explore how a combination of nutrients might impact male reproductive health.
Related topics:
- Study Links Life’s Crucial 9 to Female Infertility, But Predictive Power Remains Limited
- New Genetic Mutation Found to Cause Male Infertility
- Low Sperm Count Linked to Shorter Lifespan in Men
