Maximize Your Testosterone Advantage

Testosterone is a famous steroid hormone of anabolic and androgenic importance. It defines a man's masculinity by increasing libido, facial and upper body hair, increased size of overall body muscle and sexual equipment. As puberty hits, testosterone transforms boys into men.

Of all androgenic hormones, testosterone maybe at the top of the list. 95% is created in the male's testes, the remainder is made in the adrenal glands. In women, most of it is made in the ovaries. It is synthesized from cholesterol, and involved in the intricate creation of proteins throughout the body, not just the muscles that get the most attention by athletes in the gym. By increasing muscle integrity, it burns more fat. It strengthens the sex drive in men and women.

Testosterone helps the human body use oxygen at a higher level, is the foundation of energy and stamina. It's importantly involved in brain function, concentration and memory. It helps relieve depression. Elevated levels of testosterone can make a man feel bulletproof. It is a heart protector, that controls negative factors that could impose on cardiovascular health such as high cholesterol. It strengthens the skeletal and immune system. It even plays a role with insulin to keep blood sugar normal.

Testosterone has amazing ways to support the body's fat metabolism. Lipoprotein lipase is an enzyme that activates fat cells to store more fat. Testosterone inhibits this action. Published in the Journal of Metabolic Disorders was testosterone's influence to increase important fat cell receptors that function to release lipids for energy.

Most testosterone that benefits health are bioavailable. It can be free and unbound, but most of it rides on a serum transport protein such as albumin or cortisol binding globulin. These binding proteins will carry most of the testosterone that will eventually latch onto the androgen receptor of many cell's within the body. However, the binding protein SHBG or sex hormone-binding globulin is the one that renders testosterone's anabolic effect useless. As men get older, more SHBG is circulating around to disarm testosterone levels to a lower ratio of availability. What to do about this is discussed later.

Then there's the enzyme aromatase. Much of it is in the skin, fat cells (especially around the midsection) and the scrotum, but when this enzyme makes contact with testosterone, it will convert it to estrogen. With every succeeding year, a man's body produces more of this enzyme. Structurally, testosterone is a precursor of estrogen, and it doesn't take much for aromatase to bring androgenic hormones to even lower levels by making that alteration. Unfortunately, the more this happens, this will also raise SHBG levels to compound the situation of less overall testosterone.

There is less muscle with a lower metabolism to fight the fat war the older one gets. As more fat accumulates around the body, the fat cells by themselves can make estrogen. Fat cells are making more estrogen while estrogen influences the body to get fatter. Estrogen can even signal to the brain to make less testosterone. This can lead to estrogen dominance that is more common in women than men, but symptoms of this in men are: Impotency; Man boobs; Prostate problems; Male pattern baldness; Diminishing sex drive; Noticeable increase in weight; Moodiness & feelings of depression.

Symptoms in Women: Memory problems/Fuzzy thinking; Bloating; Insomnia; Fatigue; Migraine headaches; PMS; Menstrual Cramps; Irregular/Absent periods; Unusually heavy/Long lasting periods; Depression; Weight gain.

There are effective methods to turn the tide of faltering testosterone levels, and this article will focus on what you can do with your lifestyle and nutrition to improve this condition.

Sleep: There are so many things that benefit a body with a good nights sleep, and one of them is optimizing testosterone production. Deprivation lowers it.

Stress Management: Too much stress, including poor sleep raises cortisol levels, and this hormone directly inhibits testosterone production. Create your own zone of relaxation in various ways, and make regular visits. (Relaxation techniques such as Tai Chi, yoga, stretching, deep breathing, message therapy, self-hypnosis, guided imagery, and meditation are examples.)

Alcohol Control: It may have been recently proven alcohol spikes testosterone in laboratory mice, but not necessarily in men. Alcohol activates the enzyme testosterone reductase in the liver where testosterone is broken down, and the more blood goes through this filtering organ, the more blood testosterone levels go down. While that's going on, alcohol also forces the body to use up enzymes meant to create new testosterone in the testes to breakdown the alcohol itself. If there is liver damage from alcohol abuse, this can raise estrogen and SHBG levels which lowers testosterone.

Exercise: Aerobics won't do it. Weight training or strength training, preferably with weights is the most effective testosterone producing type of exercise. (There are other types of intense resistance training without weights that produces similar results. Whatever is most convenient for you.) Do multi-joint exercises like squats, deadlifts, leg presses, and lunges. These leg exercises involve more muscle, are known for boosting that androgenic response. Other testosterone producing multi-joint exercises are bench presses, military or overhead presses, upright rows or bent-over rows with a barbell. The more weight you use, and the shorter the rest period, the greater hormone release.

Sex and Testosterone: Sex does give testosterone levels a temporary boost, but drops down after the climax. Just seeing a beautiful woman will increase male testosterone.

Supplements:

Stinging Nettle: this natural herb has the force to reverse the effect of SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) that has latched onto testosterone, making it ineffective. From this herb are compounds called lignans that bind onto SHBG and free up testosterone, restoring its androgenic power.

Stinging Nettle also inhibits 5-alpha reductase that is an enzyme that transforms testosterone into DHT or dihydrotestosterone. DHT has been known for causing baldness on top of the head, but it can also cause prostate problems. Nettle has shown promise as an alternative treatment for prostate enlargement. Don't buy Stinging Nettle that's been extracted with alcohol or ethanol. It's of lower quality. Use either aqueous (water) or methanolic extracts that have a much higher potency.

Zinc: Helps manufacture testosterone and reduces the creation of DHT (If you get zinc as supplement in capsule or tablet form, make sure it's of a molecular weight that you can absorb and benefit from it.) Zinc is in the following foods; seafood, kelp, oysters, sardines, meats, liver, lamb, poultry, dulse, egg yolks, soybeans, legumes, lima beans, whole grains, pecans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, mushrooms, brewer's yeast and soy lecithin.

Vitamin C: Megadoes are known for boosting testosterone levels.

DHEA: the body creates testosterone and estrogen from dehydroepiandrosterone, and supplementation maybe necessary if DHEA levels drop too much, especially with age. Discuss this with your doctor.

Tribulus Terrestris: this supplement raises LH or leutenizing hormone which stimulates the testes to create more testosterone.

ZMA: Is the combination of zinc, magnesium aspartate and Vitamin b6 in a single capsule that promotes testosterone production.

Other Supplements: Saw palmetto, yohimbe, milk thistle, and maca (when I was lifting weights and taking stinging nettle with saw palmetto, it made me feel like superman).

Dietary Fat: In the Journal of Clinical Nutrition, studies showed increasing fat in the diet actually increased testosterone production, while low-fat diets lowered it. Keeping fat ratio intake around 30% is favorable, and the healthiest fats for maintaining testosterone and an efficient fat burning metabolism are omega-3 fatty acids from salmon, mackerel, herring and fish oil supplements. Flax seeds and walnuts also have omega-3s. Monounsaturated fat from olive oil, peanut oil, avocados and polyunsaturated fat from safflower, soy, and sunflower oil, along with nuts and seeds are the best choices for dietary fat

Surviving Menopause Symptoms

Women dread menopause. There are a variety of reasons for this. Not only must they deal with the psychological aspects of not being of "child-bearing" age anymore, women must also navigate through the arduous symptoms involved in going through "the change". Night sweats and hot flashes are famous among females in their 40's and 50's. But even more distressing than the night sweats and hot flashes are problems with weight gain, depression, irritability, moodiness, vaginal dryness, lack of libido, and a host of other problems associated with menopause. Dealing with all of these symptoms can be extremely overwhelming, no matter who you are.

Finding a way to put up with the symptoms of menopause or diminish them is important to most women. There are some herbal and homeopathic treatments out there to help women cope with certain symptoms but few herbs or homeopathic remedies exist to cure all of the problems in one fell swoop. However, for women who are dealing with a particularly pesky symptom, these herbal and homeopathic treatments can be remarkably helpful.

Synthetic hormones, which are artificially created, have been in use since the 1930's to help women deal with their hormonal changes. Unfortunately, synthetic hormones have been correlated with a host of very negative and undesirable side effects (like breast cancer). Though some women still take the risk and go ahead and use synthetic hormones to cope with menopause, there are other, less risky options available.

Bioidentical hormones are derived from plants, and developed to be identical to those produced by the human body itself. They have been proven useful to help alleviate the symptoms of women going through menopause. Using bioidentical hormones in treatment often takes care of all the symptoms related to menopause rather than chipping away at the problem one symptom at a time. Women often feel rejuvenated and young again. As a result, they feel as though they can enjoy their golden years rather than dreading them.

Dealing with the harsh symptoms of menopause is not easy. Luckily, many women have found relief using different forms of treatment to calm these symptoms. While herbs, homeopathic treatments, and synthetic hormones have been in use for some time to allow women to cope with menopause, bioidentical hormones are a more natural approach. The health repercussions of menopause can also be avoided to keep older women looking and feeling healthy for many years into their future.

Ovulation Signs Explained to Help Getting Pregnant Fast

So what should you know about ovulation signs? Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovary. It is a crucial step in the process of conception. There are many signs of ovulation and with a little practice, they can be easily recognized.

Rise in BBT

The influx of hormones during ovulation leads to an increase in Basal Body Temperature (BBT). Your BBT is your body temperature while asleep and not engaged in any physical activity or exercise. Since you are not going to take it while asleep however, it is best taken immediately you awake before going out of bed or walking about.

You need a special sensitive thermometer to do this. To notice the change, you need BBT chart. Start recording on the first day through the last day of your cycle. Your ovulation period is when a slight rise is noticed in the graph recording. Please note that the change is usually minute and the sharpest rise is noticed when you have already ovulated. That's why you need a sensitive thermometer and a good chart.

Change in Mucus Consistency

Cervical mucus consistency is another sign of ovulation. When you are ovulating, the consistency becomes sticker and has been aptly described as an egg-white consistency. The best way to notice is to start taking note of the mucus consistency a few days prior to your mid cycle date.

Rise of the cervix

In order to make things easier for the sperm when you ovulate, the cervix undergoes three "ups". It rises up, opens up and softens up! What great wisdom of the creator is here demonstrated! Other signs of ovulation include mild abdominal cramps and an increased libido!

Coping With Insomnia During Perimenopause

Perimenopause has detrimental affects on the sleep of many women. For some, it causes chronic insomnia. While there are no easy answers, here are a few approaches to try that may help deal with this aggravating symptom more effectively.

Hot flashes are one of the common causes of perimenopause-related insomnia. Many women fall asleep easily, only to be woken up in a sweat and with a pounding heart. Typically, they have difficulty getting back to sleep after one of these episodes. Black cohosh is an herb that has been used effectively by many women to remedy hot flashes. Estroven is an over-the-counter supplement that contains black cohosh among other things, and seems to help many women prevent hot flashes.

In addition to the hormonal challenges of perimenopause, anxiety and worry about the health effects of not getting enough sleep is also a common cause of sleeplessness. One of the worst parts of insomnia is an inability to fall back to sleep after waking up. Laying awake in bed can make things even worse as frustration sets in. It may help to do some online research about polyphasic sleep, which is a type of sleep cycling that involves a few hours of sleep during the night and then a series of 20 minute naps at various times of the day.

There are people who regularly sleep for 2 to 3 hours per night and then take two 20-minute naps during the day while maintaining their good health. This is comforting because it supports the notion that lost sleep can be compensated for in short naps. For any reader whose first thought was "I don't have time to nap during the day" after reading this, my suggestion is to try it for just one day. If it works for you, it will become self-reinforcing and you will find the time.

Another side effect of perimenopause is anxiety triggered by hormonal imbalance. Anxiety can make it difficult to relax enough to fall asleep. There are several remedies to try for anxiety, from herbal supplements and vitamins to natural, or bio-identical, hormones that help balance hormone levels. Progesterone is one hormone which is known to promote relaxation and sleep, and which also declines dramatically during perimenopause.

Hot flashes, anxiety and hormonal imbalances can make perimenopause a very difficult time for many women. The associated insomnia can turn bad into worse. Try some of the coping ideas suggested above to help you gain the upper hand during this phase of life.

Health Care Vs Wellness

Are Health and Wellness the same thing? Some people think they are, and they are related, but they are not the same.

We have spent years calling Doctors, Hospitals, Pharmacies and Pharmaceutical companies the basis for the health industry...when in reality these businesses are truly the sickness industry. The $2 Trillion we spend on medical care, which represents one-sixth of the U.S. economy, is concerned with treating the symptoms of illness.. It has very little to do with preventing illnesses or making people feel stronger and healthier.

What is the definition of Wellness, and it is not the same as Health Care. Wellness is the money you spend to make yourself feel healthier, even when you are not sick by any standard medical term. Money spent on the wellness industry are spent to make you stronger, make you feel better, see better, hear better, to fight the symptoms of aging.

We are in need and searching for a model that treats our body and its system as an integrated whole, a process in which we are proactive in aligning our health and wellness. Diverting the sickness altogether, by supporting health and wellness before the symptoms occur, repairing and mending along the way to save us pounds of cure and promote prevention.

It is not that we want youth, but the energy, health and wellness that go with it. We do look forward to the seasons and time ahead, but not the aging and disease that go with it.

Dr. Andrew Heyman states, "The drug based model of one pill for one ill has seemed to run it's course. While we occasionally win the battle, we are losing the war. It is time to rethink how we see disease processes and develop interventions."

Medicine falls way behind the general population in embracing a wellness based health care system. An enormous amount of money is being spent and we are in the middle of a socio-culture revolution. We are seeing major shifts in how people engage with their own personal health.

Estrogen - Is This Natural Hormone Slowly Killing Us?

Too much estrogen is a major problem for women and men and too many people have too much of it. Excess estrogen can accelerate aging, worsen prostate health, increase body fat and muscle atrophy, increase hair loss and cause sexual dysfunction. Women with excess non-metabolized estrogen are at greater risk for breast and uterine cancer, obesity and low sex drive.

In both men and woman, fat cells store large quantities of aromatase, an enzyme that creates estrogen. The higher your percentage of body fat, the more estrogen you may produce. This causes you to create more fat cells, which in turn, creates more estrogen! This cycle can spiral out of control.

In men, aromatase signals the pituitary gland and testes to secrete less luteinizing hormone (LH), thereby significantly slowing testosterone production. High levels of estrogen increases the production of a protein called Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), which competes with testosterone receptor sites, literally rendering testosterone impotent. Estrogen also causes the liver to produce more of the carrier proteins that bind-up testosterone. Free, unbound testosterone is the only active form that can easily cross into the brain, muscles, sex organs and fat cells.

Testosterone Deficit

Free testosterone makes up only a very small part of total testosterone in men and women. Low levels of free testosterone in men increases body fat, reduces sex drive and may cause depression and erectile dysfunction. This becomes a vicious cycle too. Men have less energy and lower self-esteem. They then may get stressed, eat more, gain weight and have less interest in sex.

Early symptoms of aging in men, is called Andropause. Excessive levels of estrogen have been identified as the main culprit!
Estrogen excess 'signals' increased production of SHBG, causing further depletion in free testosterone. Excessive estrogen in males occurs with obesity, excessive alcohol use, smoking, lack of exercise and from exposure to non-bio-identical estrogens in the environment. Pesticides create a form of bad estrogen, concentrated in meats and dairy.

Doses of Bisophenol-A found in microwavable plastics, linings for metal food-and-beverage containers, plastic baby bottles (only glass is safe) leach into the water and blood of humans causing a form of insulin resistance that mimics estrogens. Either a high fat diet according to Nathan Pritikin, one of the great researchers of the twenty century I worked with in 1979 to 81 or minuscule amounts of plastic chemicals (usually considered safe by EPA standards) trigger allergic response, inflammation, and diabetes, according to Theron Randolph MD., author of An Alternate Approach to Allergies. These increases in synthetic estrogens have been shown to cause dangerous changes in the pancreas cells associated with diabetes. Diabetes has increased drastically in our country and worldwide. Diabetics tragically suffer from increased risk of stroke, heart attack, impotency, and amputated limbs.

Some studies suggest that hair loss and baldness may be associated with high-fat diets. High fat diets stimulate estrone, which is converted to bad estrogen. DHT (Di-hydroxytestosterone) can cause hair loss. However, testosterone actually can assist or enhance scalp hair, provided that estrogen levels are okay. DHT should comprise one-fourth to one-third of total androgen count.

Excess estrogen blocks testosterone receptors and DHT becomes dominant. Fatty tissue is loaded with aromatase enzymes that convert testosterone to estrogen. The best approach to combat estrogen dominance in both men and women is to exercise, improve diet and take nutritional supplements that decrease estrogen production.

Losing body fat reduces estrogen conversion. In men, symptoms of andropause recede, and in women, estrogen-dominant symptoms decrease.

Men -- Reduce Your Estrogen

Over half of all men past the age of 50 have enlarged prostates. Early signals include hesitancy at the start of urination, increased frequency, dribbling and decreased force and flow of urination. Left untreated, enlarged prostates can lead to sexual dysfunction and impotency.

A University of California study found that impotency was mainly due to high estrogen. Another study elsewhere with 320 men who had been surgically treated for severely enlarged prostates, revealed higher estrogen levels and lower testosterone, than men with normal prostates.

In a Japanese study, men without prostate enlargement had higher levels of testosterone! Additionally, men whose prostates were enlarged had higher levels of estrogen. The scientists in this study concluded that non-metabolized estrogen is correlated with prostate size and volume.

Many urologists are treating patients with prostate disease by suppressing testosterone and increasing estrogen. The drugs that suppress estrogen tend to also reduce the beneficial forms of estrogen and are not doing enough to clear the bad forms of estrogens (16aOHE, 4OHE). In my opinion, metabolizing and clearing out extra estrogen should be the emphasis and can be done with natural phyto-chemical herbs, from vegetable extracts that target the bad estrogens, while restoring the good forms of estrogen and testosterone.

Diindolylmethane (DIM), derived from broccoli, cauliflower, Kale, Bok, Choy, Napa cabbage and Brussels sprouts, promotes beneficial estrogen metabolism. DIM increases 'good' estrogens, which then cause SHBG to bind, thereby improving levels of free testosterone all while dramatically decreasing 'bad' estrogen. DIM, along with Chrysin (from passion flower), (Passiflora incarnata), in liposomal cream, clears estrogen. It is especially useful for men on testosterone replacement therapy or women on estrogen replacement therapy.

DIM-Chrysin combinations lower prostate cancer risk by up to 41% in men. They also decrease the risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer, in women. Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is another vegetable extract that is beneficial in estrogen metabolism. Indole-3-carbinol works best if there is sufficient hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

Calcium-D-Glucarate or its metabolite, D-Glucuronolactone, can help detoxify estrogens. Apples and other fresh fruits and vegetables, have small amounts. As a supplement, Calcium-D-Glucarate has positive effects on reducing cancer-producing by-products.

Diet and natural herbs, may prove safer and more cost-effective than some prescription drugs that block aromotase. Natural estrogen-clearing methods appear to cause less body inflammation and less free radical damage, reducing the toxic effects of estrone metabolites while preserving the benefits of estradiol and the 'good' 2-hydroxyestrone.

I encourage physicians to add these important substances to their patient's diet and hormone regimens.

Whole Foods

A diet high in vegetables and fruit, with concentrated herb extracts, in combination with a brief, intense exercise program, can help you manage bad estrogen. Many of the special phyto-chemicals are found naturally in raw cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, Bok, Choy, Napa cabbage, turnips, rutabaga, mustard and kohlrabi. However, up to 2-lbs. of raw cruciferous vegetables each day, are necessary to achieve the estrogen-clearing benefits. I suggest using a blender (not a juicer or juice extractor, as you want to retain healthy fiber) and combine raw cruciferous vegetables with some tasty high-fiber fruits, such as berries or pears. Vegetables, like bell peppers and fruit, rich in vitamin C, reduce the aromatase enzyme responsible for converting too much estrogen from testosterone. Use water rather than juice as your base, along with frozen fruit and vegetables, to give the drink a "smoothie" texture. A blender usually comes with a 48 to 60-ounce pitcher, which will provide nearly 2-4 pounds of raw vegetable material in your drink through your day.

Supplements

As suggested, most people will need to supplement their diets with concentrates from DIM (diindolylmethane), Chrysin, D-Glucuronolactone, and other important natural phyto-chemicals. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice should be avoided, as they may inhibit the liver's ability to break down estrogen. Supplements containing broccoli and cauliflower extracts can stimulate the metabolism of excess estrogen, while red grape skin extract and resveratrol, can improve liver P450 function, to help remove excess estrogen.
Di-methyl-glycine (DMG) is a methyl-group donor that helps detoxification. It assists the liver to clear harmful estrogens and lactic acid, after exercise. DMG has been reported to improve sexual function, erectile ability and to oxygenate blood to the genitals. Improved mental function and anti-aging benefits have also been reported with DMG.
Phyto-estrogens in soy and wild yams, is also worthy of consideration. Meat and animal products are correlated to an increased incidence of stroke and dementia. I believe that soy and vegetable products (instead of meat and animal products), are prudent!

DHT Studies

DHT needs to be in balance with testosterone. Dr. Edmond De Vroey, the founder of the Longevity Institute, has been using DHT gel for over 20 years to maintain prostate health by applying DHT topical gel. Applied directly to skin, DHT does not convert to estrogen. Instead, topically-applied DHT decreases estrogen levels.

Dr. Ron Rothenberg, Professor of Medicine at the University of California/San Diego, concurs with me, that the sexual and strength-enhancing benefits from DHT, is not as pronounced as testosterone, or testosterone combined with herbs that metabolize estrogen.

In a clinical study by Dr. Wang and colleagues, DHT improved total androgen levels, while significantly decreasing estradiol levels, within 14 days. Estradiol is considered the most dominant estrogen.

Dr. Eugene Shippen has conducted meta-reviews, indicating that testosterone and DHT can actually protect the prostate.

Dr. Schaison has shown that patients with decreased gonad function became more virile, developed more muscle mass and improved in sexual function, with DHT topical gel.

Using DHT Gel over a 2 year period, Dr. De Lignieres reported men, age 55 to 70, improved sexual function and decreased prostate size by an average of 15%.

DHT requires a prescription and is usually only obtained in Europe, however we use an all natural cream with bioidentical hormones as applied under the scrotum, used in the morning after you shower. The well known fact is that scrotal tissue has enzymes in the skin that can increase DHT production in the presents of androgens. This cream with natural androgens allows rapid absorption of testosterone to youthful levels and conversion to DHT to help reduce estrogens.

As with all androgen replacement therapies, signs of excessive DHT levels, such as oily skin, acne, excess hair growth, aggressiveness, or too heightened sexuality, need to be monitored.

A University of Southern California study found that 8 out of 27 men taking Finasteride for enlarged prostate, developed tumors within one year, despite the drug lowering DHT by 67%. It is my view that unidentified elevated levels of estrogen in the prostate could be the problem, not DHT. While Finasteride lowers DHT, it can cause impotency. In contrast, beta sitosterol in saw palmetto may be more effective to restore urine flow, without impotency. Beta Sitosterol improves metabolism of DHT and androgen receptor binding, while Finasteride does not. Even though Finasteride can reduce DHT in the prostate up to 80%, it only decreases the prostate size by about 20%. Some 60-65% of men get no improvement with Finasteride! Over 5% of Finasteride users suffer decreased libido, impotence, and ejaculatory disorders.

It is important to note that clearing all estrogens from adult men is not good! The aim of an estrogen reduction program is to achieve optimal levels for total male hormonal balance. When "bad" estrogens are elevated, they do not permit the hormones of youth, your good estrogens, testosterone, human growth hormone, DHEA, etc., to be at proper levels, thus potentially leading to disease and premature aging, and disability.

Testosterone Therapy (Continued) - The Dangers of Bad Estrogen

Estrogens cause men as much problems as estrogen dominance causes in women.

There are nearly 50 types of chemicals that we are exposed to that exert an evil estrogen like effect on the body. For example, plastics (bottled water micro-waved or frozen is worse), pesticides, and cosmetics mimic dangerous forms of estrogens increasing the 16-alpha-Hydroxyestrone and 4-Hydroxyestrone.

Problems such as weight gain, hair loss, and prostate enlargement are magnified, unless you know how to leach out or detoxify these 'bad' estrogens and restore the 'good' estrogens (2-Hydroxyestrone) along with the balance of testosterone. We use supplements with derivatives of cruciferous vegetables or flax. Japanese soy is processed differently with more beneficial effects than soy in the USA. Look for creams containing Chrysin, and Dim-Diindolylmethane to clear bad estrogens.

>Some drugs reduce estrogen production and some drugs reduce the conversion of testosterone to estrogen analogs.

Many of the drugs developed to decrease estrogen in women, are being used by some bodybuilders, to cut estrogen levels and therefore, fat. The most popular today is Arimidex. Arimidex is expensive and powerful, but can be divided into smaller dosages there by making it more affordable and reducing, somewhat, any possible side effects, when used long term. Most men who use this drug will suddenly notice the normal hair in the middle of their upper backs stops growing. That is because this is an estrogen sensitive area.

This is genetically coded and modulated by hormones. Some anti-aging, doctors including Paul Savage MD of Chicago, believe that hair growth on the head can be improved by reducing the bad type of estrogens, while restoring testosterone and growth hormone. Suppression of testosterone or DHT to reduce hair loss and control prostate enlargement has not been nearly as effective as the proper control and balance of estrogens and testosterone. Many knowledgeable doctors are using a shampoo to control scalp DHT, without suppressing total body DHT, realizing that man needs some DHT to be healthy, function sexually and virile.

Thierry Hertoghe MD of Belgium, also found that testosterone, along with ACTH hormone, could restore hair growth, along with proper administration of thyroid, cortisol and DHEA. Synthetic steroids are a powerful drug category, with many important medical uses, however, even the "cleanest" of the synthetically- derived testosterone androgens, such as nandrolone (also know in trade as "Deca"), can leave unnatural metabolites in the blood, some that have estrogen or progestin-like effects. With these particular metabolites, Arimidex may not do the job. They are actually better metabolized with DIM-(Diindolylmethane), found in our Lean N Fit and our Estroblock. A dosage of 300 to 600 mg a day (4 to 6 capsules combined) can be quite effective after two to four weeks, in fighting the estrogen-like rebound effects of synthetic steroids.

The number one reason why women can benefit from the addition of natural testosterone, is to enhance sexual function and energy. Dr. Eugene Shippen believes that if a woman is to receive proper bioidentical hormone replacement, the regime must include androgen replacement (in most cases). We have had literally thousands of women around the world use our Strength Energy cream with excellent results, because it restores androgens like testosterone, DHEA and pregnenolone.

In several studies, women with fatigue, low libido, feelings of low esteem or poor body image, bone loss, and PMS, can use low-dose testosterone gel or Strength Energy cream with excellent results. In general, low doses over a 1-2-year period, has helped many postmenopausal women recover or increase sexual drive, increase their frequency of sexual thoughts, satisfaction, energy and reports of
"general pleasure and zest" with life. Of course, too much testosterone can cause more overt side effects
for women. Women with low testosterone will really respond better to transdermal creams, or our Strength Energy cream that
contains beneficial androgens. Some women will need estrogen and progesterone therapy, especially if they have been on synthetic birth
control pills which elevate estrone without giving them the healthy benefits of natural estradiol, progesterone and testosterone. Estroblock will help those who have been on birth control pills to regain better body shape and health.