How to Control Estrogen Levels
So what can you do to slow down the endocrinological avalanche caused by
estrogen? It's simple:
read over my link on Estrogen Increasers
and then consider these Estrogen Controllers as well:
1) Zinc. Zinc actually inhibits the
aromatase enzyme. So, if you are zinc depleted, you may get a benefit from supplementation.
To find out more, read this link on
Zinc and ZMA.
CAUTION: Don't go crazy with zinc -
if you take too much
it causes more problems as it helps. For example, it can lead to copper depletion
and some researchers believe it can contribute to dementia in overly high doses. Also,
researchers have found that there are two common food additives, propyl gallate
(a preservative) and 4-hexylresocrinol (a discoloration preservative), that are
xenoestrogens and can mimic estrogen. [11] These kind of xenoestrogens
have been
linked to reduced sperm counts (and increased breast cancer in women).
Do you know the foods and drinks that increase erection-boosting
Nitric Oxide? Check out the
Peak Erectile Strength Diet where I show
you how to dramatically and naturally improve your erectile strength.
2)
Lose Weight. The major contributor to an increase in aromatase is, you might have guessed
it, that extra weight around your midsection. Fat cells are known for storing the
aromatase enzyme and many studies have shown its ill effects on testosterone. Is
it any wonder? Those extra pounds actually slowly biochemically neuter the
middle aged and beyond male. Even worse, fat cells lead to the creation of, actually conversion to more
estrogen which
displaces testosterone throughout the body. How many of us have seen overweight
males with "man boobs" that are the result of just this phenomenon? And those
love handles on the side of your gut: they should really be called loveless handles. One study
looked at 64 severely obese men and their average testosterone was 340 even
though the average age was only 48! [7] Furthermore, the authors found that
weight was associated with an increase in estrogen and a decrease in
testosterone. They then looked at these men when given a certain kind of bypass
surgery that lowered their weight and BMI. You guessed it: estrogen
decreased and testosterone increased significantly!
By the way, fat cells are also
known for spitting out chemicals that cause inflammation throughout your body
leading to damaged heart and erectile tissues. Being overweight is strongly
correlated to erectile issues for this and several other reasons. (I discuss the
many problems of being overweight here.) So if you won't
drop the pounds for the wife or your health, at least
do it for the Little Gipper.
3)
BANNED: 6-OXO. This supplement appears to be the "real deal", a legitimate
estrogen blocker. Estrogen is a huge issue for
aging males for many reasons, but one of the nastiest is that increasing
estrogen actually decreases testosterone. (See this link on
How to Limit Estrogen for
more information.) Some estrogen is important for brain and bone health but that
is not an issue for most aging males. Many 55 year olds have close to or
more estrogen than their wives! In 2007 6-OXO was studied definitely and
the results look excellent: resistance-trained males saw "FT [free
testosterone] and DHT underwent overall increases of 90% and 192% for 300 mg
6-OXO and 84% and 265% for 600 mg, respectively, while T/E increased 53% and 67%
for 300 mg and 600 mg 6-OXO, respectively". [7] Notice the substantial
boosts in free testosterone and the testosterone to estrogen ratio. In
fact, 6-OXO was so good that the FDA, in its nearly infinite wisdom of course, decided
to ban this supplement in August of 2009. [13] This goes back to what I always
say, "If it's a legitimate testosterone booster, the FDA will ban it". And
it's not all bad: 6-OXO undoubtedly needed more clinical history.
For example, the above study [7] also
showed substantial increases in DHT and estrone for
example.
When does low testosterone
cause erectile dysfunction or harden your arteries? 300 ng/dl? 400?
Find out what the studies say in Low
Testosterone By The Numbers.
4) Broccoli. Broccoli (and other cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and
cabbage) are powerful estradiol blockers. This is done by special
phytochemicals in broccoli called indoles, the most powerful being
indole-3-carbinol (I3C). I3C is quite powerful and has been studied
extensively for its estradiol-lowering effects in women in the hopes of breast
cancer prevention. But guys can achieve the same effect and that is
undoubtedly one of the reasons that broccoli consumption is associated with
Prostate Cancer Protection. NOTE: Broccoli is
easy to fix: just put raw florets in a coffee cup with a half inch of
water on the bottom and heat for around two minutes in a microwave. The
steam for the bottom of the cup will cook the broccoli soft and tender.
Then just add a little salt and it is ready to eat.
5) Grape Seed Extract. Many studies have shown Grape Seed Extact to be a
good aromatase inhibitor [10]. It also, in vitro at least, gives Vitamin C
a longer shelf life. However, Grape Seed Extract has a couple of cautions
that need to go along with it: 1) in
combination with Vitamin C it apparently raises blood pressure [9] and 2) it may
slightly decrease free testosterone because it can raise SHBG, the protein that
binds to testosterone.
6) Chrysin.
Chrysin has had meager results in some studies. [3] However, Life Extension
Foundation seem to have overcome these underlying issues by including piperine
in their formulation for greater absorbability. See my
Review on Super Miraforte
for more information. CAUTION: Supermiraforte has been around
quite awhile. However, it should be noted that one study showed Chrysin
inhibiting the conversion of T4
to T3 and thus negatively impacting thyroid function. [4] This could
potentially lead to weight gain, which would sabotage estrogen control.
Again, I encourage you to also look over my link on Estrogen Increasers to avoid
those things that can negatively boost estrogen levels in our everyday life.
REFERENCES:
1) Agents Actions, Jun 1987,21(1-2):223-8
2) Medical Hypotheses, Jun 2001, 56(6):702-708
3)
J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol,Sep 2001,78(3):231-9Biol,Sep 2001,78(3):231-9
4)
Prog Clin Biol Res, 1986, 213:359-71, "Iodothyronine deiodinase is inhibited by
plant flavonoids"
5)
J Int Soc Sports Nutr,Oct 19 2007,4:13
6)
Med and Sci in Sports & Exerc,1999, 31:483
7) Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, published online on January
27, 2009, Submitted on July 24, 2008, Accepted on January 15, 2009, "Effect of
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery on the Sex Steroids and Quality of Life in
Obese Men", Ahmad Hammoud MD, MPH*, et. al.
8) Cancer Res, Jun 1 2006, 66:5960-5967
9) J Hypertensm 2005 Feb, 23(2):427-34
10) Cancer Res. 2006 Jun 1;66(11):5960-7
11) Alessio Amadasi et al., "Identification of Xenoestrogens in Food
Additives by an Integrated in Silico and in Vitro Approach, Chemical Research in
Toxicology", 2009; 22(1):52
12) J Clin Endocrin Metab, 1993, 77: 375-381, "Effect of aging on endogenous
levels of 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone, testosterone, estradiol and estrone in
epithelium and stroma of normal and hyperplastic human prostate"
13)
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/ PressAnnouncements/ucm152358.htm
14)
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumer- reports-tests-find-wide-range-
of-bisphenol-a-in-canned-soups-juice-and-more-68723862.html