The levels of your male sex hormone, testosterone, are bound to decrease as you advancing in age. A point in your life is reached when the levels of your testosterone will fall so low that your estrogen hormones begin to dominate your physiological system. This is what is known as hormonal imbalance or estrogen dominance.
The problems caused by this imbalance can actually be easily detected as it is accompanied by many symptomatic bodily changes. A few of the symptoms of estrogen dominance include
weight gain,
irritation,
alteration in moods,
depression (Note: depression caused by estrogen dominance is difficult to treat with antidepressants),
fatigue,
erectile dysfunction,
breast enlargement (gynecomastia or "man boobs"),
heart disease,
decreased libido and
prostrate diseases
Estrogen dominance can also cause
urinary problems,
impotency,
allergies,
diabetes,
infertility,
osteoporosis and
many other types of abnormalities.
Testosterone is one of the primary male sex hormones produced in your body. A healthy male has approximately 1000 to 1200 nanograms/dl of Testosterone at the age of 20. After reaching the age of 30, however, there is a steady decline in these levels. By age 40 to 50 these levels would have significantly dropped to about 50%. Upon reaching the age of 80, the normal level of testosterone in the male body would approximate 100 to 200 nanograms/dl.
This condition is usually aggravated by environmental substances. Xenoestrogens (estrogens like substances) that can be found in the air, fuels, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, plastics, clothing, bug / mosquito sprays and personal care products are easily absorbed by your body. Since xenoestrogens are very potent and estrogen-like, they contribute further to the worsening of hormone imbalances.
There are many ways to treat the imbalance. The most natural treatment, however, begins with your diet. A diet of fish, organic fruits and vegetables, whole grain foods and raw foods maintains your body's natural inclination towards good health and systemic balance.
Using proper diet as a baseline plus adding a regimen of stress management techniques will definitely aid you in reducing sleeplessness and fatigue. This in turn will promote proper weight management and circulation, which is necessary in aiding your body in producing the necessary hormones you need to overcome estrogen dominance.
The top 11 testosterone boosting foods for men.
1) Oysters: Protein, magnesium, lots of zinc
The Facts:
Along with increasing your physical endurance, oysters pack more zinc than almost any other food source just six gives you almost seven times the RDA and zinc plays a key role in muscle growth and testosterone levels.
How much:
Eat a serving of oysters once a week, raw, cooked or canned but never fried.
2) Lean Beef: Protein, iron, magnesium, zinc, saturated fat
The Facts:
Few things have as positive an impact on testosterone levels as lean meats. Beef specifically offers the added benefit of high protein and zinc two nutrients key to optimizing testosterone and muscle-building potential in one source. And while you don’t want too much saturated fat in your diet, you require some to produce testosterone.
How much:
Grill or broil a lean cut of steak a few times a week. I love Top Sirloin!
3) Beans: Protein, fiber, zinc
The Facts:
Beans are indeed the magical fruit. Beans pack a bigger shot of zinc than any other member of the veggie family; some (like baked beans) even rival the zinc content of red meat. Add that to a food that’s high in protein and fiber and low in fat, and you have a winning combo.
How much:
Baked beans, lima beans, navy beans and kidney beans are all good choices. Canned versions are as nutritious as dry!
4) Poultry: Protein and little fat
The Facts:
High-protein diets have a positive impact on muscle mass and thus testosterone levels and high fat seems to have the opposite effect. So while chicken and turkey lack high zinc levels, their protein-to-fat ratios make them important to your diet.
How much:
Roast or grill skinless, boneless portions of turkey or chicken several times a week.
5) Eggs: Protein and cholesterol
The Facts:
Testosterone is synthesized from cholesterol, and as such, food containing cholesterol is a good source of building blocks for testosterone. Eggs are a source of pure, unadulterated cholesterol, and one recent study showed that the excess cholesterol in eggs isn’t as harmful as previously thought. So stock up on whole eggs (unless otherwise instructed by your physician). Or use the liquid egg whites!
How much:
Start your day with 3-4 whole eggs cooked in olive oil or fat-free cooking spray. The amount of eggs you eat also depends on your goals, body weight etc.
6) Cottage Cheese: (1% Milk Fat)Protein with very little fat
The Facts:
One cup of 1% cottage cheese has more protein and less fat than a serving of lean beef or chicken. Have it as a snack or with a meal for testosterone-boosting potential.
How much:
Eat 1 cup of cottage cheese each day
7) Broccoli: Indole-3-carbinol, fiber
Eat cruciferous veggies. Broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage yields compounds called indoles that help lower certain estrogens, which in turn can help reduce estrogen’s inhibitory effects on testosterone production.
The Facts:
Elevated estrogen levels lead to fat accumulation and can interfere with muscle growth. In a clinical study, indole-3-carbinol cut the largely female hormone estradiol in half for men. Broccoli contains high levels of indoles, food compounds that help reduce bad estrogen.
How much:
Eat as many servings of broccoli as you can stomach.
8) Cabbage: Indole-3-carbinol, fiber
The Facts:
In addition to exhibiting the same estradiol-restricting properties as other cruciferous vegetables, cabbage is high in fiber. Fiber is great for controlling weight, as it prevents the consumption of fattier foods. Keeping weight down has an anti-estrogen impact.
How much:
Load up that fat-free brat with sauerkraut and have a side of slaw just go easy on the mayo.
9) Brussels Sprouts: Indole-3-carbinol, fiber
The Facts:
You should have listened to your mom: Brussels sprouts do help you grow up big and strong. Like the other vegetables on our list, these specifically target bad estrogen and pack just as much fiber.
How much:
Hold your nose and power them down. Good luck!
10) Garlic: Allicin
The Facts:
In clinical studies, garlic’s active ingredient enhances testosterone levels and inhibits cortisol, a hormone that competes with testosterone, limiting its actions and breaking down muscle tissue.
How much:
Season other foods with garlic when you can, but eating whole cloves provides the most direct benefit.
11. Fruits
Fruits such as blueberries, apples, pineapples and citrus fruits all contain vitamin C, which is thought to moderate and improve testosterone levels. Tomatoes, which are also considered a fruit, contain large amounts of vitamin A, which helps with the normal functioning of the reproductive system. Eliminate grapefruit from your diet, as it is thought to impair the functioning of the liver's breakdown of estrogen.
12. Asparagus is rich in vitamin E, which is considered to stimulate the production of sex hormones (testosterone) and may be important for a healthy sex life.
Good libido food for both female and male libido levels
13. Avocado contain high levels of folic acid, helping to metabolize proteins. They also contain vitamin B6, helpful in increasing male hormone production. In addition potassium is found in avocado which aids in regulating the female thyroid gland, this helps enhance female libido levels.
14. Figs are high in amino acids, which researchers believe can increase libido. It has also been found that Figs can also increase your sexual stamina.
The Basics On How To Eat For A Huge Testosterone Boost
Stick to the ratio: Men should aim for 45% of calories from protein, 35% from carbs and 20% from fats. As you put daily menus together, these numbers will help you maintain this diet.
Avoid high-glycemic carbs: Carb-rich foods high on the glycemic index can negatively affect your testosterone levels.
Think protein & fats: High-protein and moderate-fat foods are crucial for enhancing testosterone and, as a result, building muscle. Make these foods the building blocks of your diet!
Drink a protein and carb shake after working out. Consuming proteins and carbs after training has been shown to increase the amount of testosterone that enters muscle cells, where it can increase muscle growth. Take 20-40 grams of whey protein and 40-100 grams of simple carbohydrates post-workout.
1. What is an anti-estrogen and where does it come from?
An anti-estrogen, simply put, is an estrogen blocker. Males and females have two major hormones in the body that is estrogen and testosterone.
Guys have more testosterone and girls have more estrogen. Unfortunately for guys, estrogen carrys a strong signal to the pituitary gland in the brain, which controls your "on" and "off" switch for testosterone production.
What happens when estrogen levels rise higher than normal in males, the body's testosterone production lowers, which is NOT a good thing when you are trying to build and pack on muscle!
2. What do anti-estrogen products do?
Anti-estrogen products again, help stop the production of estrogen in the body. This is very critical and important due to the fact that estrogen is testosterones enemy! A study done in Europe showed athletes who supplemented chrysin had a dramatic testosterone increase of 30% in their blood serum levels!
Along with chrysin, another potent and important ingredient that helps suppress estrogen is green tea extract.
It may also contribute to improvements in fat loss in addition to other benefits
Privita includes resveratrol, pomegranate, green tea, quercetin, chrysin, nutgrass, white turmeric, and astralagus so it has high antioxidant activity, as well as aromatase inhibitor and estrogen blocking activity.
What we do know is that estrogen does promote the development of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Estrogen stimulates the cells in the tissue surrounding the prostate, leading to urinary symptoms associated with prostate disease (Eur J Cancer. 2008; 44(7):928-36). Furthermore, in one study, BPH patients were found to have greater estradiol levels than those without BPH (Urology.2007; 69(4):708-13).
While some studies show that there is no relationship between serum estradiol and prostate cancer, this may be explained by the fact that prostate cells produce their own estradiol locally. Estradiol may be high around the prostate, but it may not show up in a blood test. Local synthesis of estrogen has been thought to play a role in prostate cancer development (Minerva Endocrinol. 2006; 31(1):1-12).
Dr. Jonathan Wright states in his article that prostate cancer development and andropause (male menopause, wherein testosterone levels decrease and estrogen levels increase) are associated. This may be because when men reach andropause, the ratio of estrogens to androgens can reach up to 40%. He recommends that men avoid regular soy consumption as this can potentially increase estrogen.
PriVita can be helpful to restore normal estrogen and testosterone levels in men.
Hyperaromatization of testosterone, where an enzyme called aromatase converts testosterone into estrogen, is a key contributor to estrogen dominance. Clinical studies show that PriVita works as a natural aromatase inhibitor that reduces estradiol and estrone in both men and women. PriVita prevents the conversion of testosterone into unhealthy estrogens (estradiol and estrone) making more testosterone available, and leads to the unhindered production of more beneficial estrogen (estriol) from progesterone, DHEA, and other hormones.