Just a few days ago I informed you about the way low estrogen is a major cause of sexual health issues in postmenopausal women. Today, I would like to talk about estrogen from a male perspective.
As we men age, two hormonal changes of great consequence happen; testosterone levels decline and estrogen levels go up. Now, we hear plenty about testosterone. After all, it’s the “manly” hormone. Every man on earth wants more of it.
But we don’t hear nearly enough about estrogens. And these days, estrogens are a real problem when it comes to maintaining male virility. These excess estrogens are often the main cause of excess belly fat, loss of muscle strength and the development of breast tissue – often referred to as “man-boobs.”
Too many estrogens are also horrible for men’s health
Men with high levels of estrogens are more likely to have plaque build-up in their arteries. They have a much greater risk of heart attack… and more than double the chance of a stroke. To top things off, elevated estrogen levels are potentially linked to the development of prostate cancer.
So, where is all of the estrogen coming from? And what can you do to get rid of it?
Why ALL Men Should Be Concerned About Estrogens
Every day, you’re exposed to “xenoestrogens” – feminizing chemicals that mimic estrogen. These fake estrogens attach to certain cell receptor sites in your body – kicking testosterone out of its rightful spot.
Over time xenoestrogens build up in your system, turning even the most virile man into a memory of his old self. And today you’ll find these fake estrogens are everywhere.
More than 80,000 new chemicals have been manufactured and released into our environment in the last few generations. And they find their way into plastic baggies, water bottles and your shampoo. Even store receipts are coated in these estrogen mimicking chemicals. (Bisphenol A if you’re interested).
Plus, you’ll also find feminizing chemicals in meat and dairy products – from animals who were fed growth hormones. In other words, they’re all over the place.
So, it’s no surprise that our sperm counts have dropped by 50% in the last generation.
You’ll be glad to know there are ways to clear these estrogen mimics from your body – so you can naturally restore your testosterone levels.
Get Rid of Testosterone-Zapping Estrogen
One easy solution to rid yourself of testosterone-zapping estrogen is to eat more cruciferous vegetables.
These veggies are loaded with a compound called DIM (diindolylmethane) along with its precursor, I3C (indole-3-carbinol). These phytonutrients help bind and flush out excess estrogen from your body.
You’ll find DIM and I3C in all sorts of veggies including arugula, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, radishes, rutabaga, turnips, watercress and green leafy vegetables like collard, mustard and turnip greens.
Just remember to buy organic, otherwise you’ll get even more estrogen mimics from the pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals used on vegetable crops.
You can also try estrogen-zapping DIM in its supplement form. About 100 mg daily should do the trick.
I also like a supplement called chrysin. It works to prevent the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. As a result of this blocking action, testosterone levels are raised.
Plus, when you combine it with an extract of black pepper fruit extract – called bioperine – chrysin may help reduce estrogen levels even further. This comes with the added benefit of increasing free testosterone levels in as little as one month. I recommend 150 mg of chrysin with 5 mg of bioperine daily.
Finally, zinc is a great supplement to help you maintain your testosterone levels. It helps reduce levels of aromatase, an enzyme which transforms testosterone into estrogen. This leaves more circulating testosterone in your body while lowering levels of estrogen. For best results, I suggest 30 mg of zinc daily balanced with 2 micrograms of copper.
With just a few simple changes in your diet, you can rebalance your hormones so you feel more energy, virility and vitality again.
SOURCES:
Dunajska K, et al. Evaluation of sex hormone levels and some metabolic factors in men with coronary atherosclerosis. Aging Male. 2004 Sep;7(3):197-204.
Mohamad MJ, et al. Serum levels of sex hormones in men with acute myocardial infarction. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2007 Apr;28(2):182-6.
Abbott RD, et al. Serum estradiol and risk of stroke in elderly men. Neurology. 2007 Feb 20;68(8):563-8.
Nelles JL, et al. Estrogen action and prostate cancer. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab. 2011 May; 6(3): 437–451.
Rajoria S, et al. 3,3′-Diindolylmethane Modulates Estrogen Metabolism in Patients… Thyroid. 2011 Mar; 21(3): 299–304.
Gambelunghe C. et al. Effects of chrysin on urinary testosterone levels in human males. J Med Food. 2003 Winter;6(4):387-90.
Srinivasan K. Black pepper and its pungent principle-piperine: a review of diverse physiological effects. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2007;47(8):735-48
Prasad AS, et al. Zinc status and serum testosterone levels of healthy adults. Nutrition. 1996 May;12(5):344-8.
