7 Foods that Inhibit Aromatase Enzyme.
Aromatase enzyme is one of the most nastiest enzymes in the male body, as it’s primary job is to convert testosterone and other androgens into the female hormone estrogen.
Needless to say that this enzyme is something that all men should be aware of, and all men should make sure that their aromatase activity stays as low as possible, so that your body can actually preserve its androgens rather than watch from the side as they’ll convert to estrogen.
Obviously inhibiting aromatase will also increase your testosterone levels, which is beneficial in all areas of a man’s life.
So with that being said, here’s 7 foods that’ll block the conversion from androgens to estrogens via inhibiting aromatase enzyme in the body:
Contents
Celery Stalk
Celery is one of the best testosterone boosting foods, as it’s being said that even the scent of it can trigger the testosterone production process inside male testes.
It’s known to contain several androgens, including the androtestrone which just so happens to be a precursor of testosterone.
But here’s a thing about celery that most people don’t know…
…Celery has also been shown to have modest aromatase enzyme inhibiting effects.
It’s not a huge decrease or anything to hype about, but the researchers at this study, found out that the high Luteolin content in celery does effectively inhibit aromatase enzyme.
NOTE: Despite the fact that celery is one hell of a great testosterone booster, conventional celery has also been shown to contain huge amounts of pesticide traces, including multiple endocrine disruptors (which is the case in almost all conventionally grown plants). You can avoid all of those endocrine disrupting chemicals by investing on organic produce. So a key point to remember here: Get organic celery, and stay away from conventionally grown stalks.
Red Wine
I can’t say that alcohol in excess would be beneficial, as it destroys testosterone levels if taken in excess.
However a glass or two of quality red wine can actually be quite beneficial for your testosterone levels.
Mainly because red wine has been shown to inhibit aromatase enzyme in multiple studies.
Here’s few of them:
1. The researchers from Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, found out in one of their breast cancer studies, that grape seeds and red wine both are excellent natural aromatase inhibitors. The researchers also found out that red wine and grape seeds were both able to decrease serum estrogen levels too.
2. Later on a different group of researchers also located in the Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, found out that the phytochemicals in red wine were able to inhibit aromatase enzyme in a dose dependent manner (more phytochemicals, less aromatase enzyme). However the alcohol content in red wine will unfortunately turn tables around at some point (so stick with 1 or 2 glasses a day).
3. This study also comes from the cancer researchers at the Beckman Research Institute. In this trial they found out for the third time, that red wine was (still) able to inhibit aromatase enzyme. They also noted that the Pinot Noir red wine in particular was the most effective aromatase inhibitor.
The main reason why red wine inhibits aromatase enzyme is probably because of a polyphenol called reservatrol, which has been shown to inhibit aromatase, decrease estrogen, and to increase testosterone levels. But there might also be other phenols in red wine which can also have similar effects.
Reservatrol can also be bought as a supplement.
Olive Oil
Yesterday I wrote an article about olive oil, and how extremely healthy, and pro testosterone it actually is.
One of the reasons for its awesomeness was and still is, the fact that olive oil is a potent aromatase enzyme inhibitor…
…That’s because olive oil contains this compound called Oleuropein, which gives the oil its distinctive flavor.
And in this study, Oleuropein was seen to contain strong aromatase enzyme inhibiting qualities.
Adding in the fact that olive oil promotes cardiovascular health and makes it easier for your testicles to convert cholesterol into testosterone, you can’t really go wrong with it.
This brand in particular is my favorite, as it’s organic and cold pressed, meaning that all the precious Oleuropein is still intact.
White Button Mushrooms
White Button Mushrooms have been shown to contain some strong anti aromatase benefits in various studies.
These studies were all done with women (as aromatase inhibiton is one of the cures for breast cancer) but the effects are most likely similar in men:
1. In this study, the researchers found out that white button mushroom extract decreased aromatase enzyme activity in a dose dependent manner (more extract, less enzyme).
2. This long term Chinese study also found out that white button mushrooms in combination with green tea, inhibit aromatase.
3. And then there’s also this study where the researchers believed that they could decrease their subjects estrogen levels by 50% only with a small dose of white button mushroom extract. They failed to reach the 50% reduction but they did also mention that the extract had some strong aromatase inhibiting benefits.
I wrote a bigger post about white button mushrooms few days ago, but those 3 studies should cover all the major facts.
Oysters
Oysters are extremely high in bio-active zinc.
Zinc is one of the most beneficial minerals for men as it regulates well over 300 different enzymes in the male body and it’s also highly linked to both testosterone, and sperm production.
Oh, and zinc has also been shown to be one of the strongest natural aromatase inhibitors.
So eat some oysters, they’re extremely high in quality zinc.
NOTE: If you can’t find any oysters, then you could also supplement with some zinc orotate, although it isn’t as bio-available for the human body as the naturally occurring zinc in oysters is.
Crusiferous Vegetables
Crusiferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflowe, maca, kale, brussel sprouts, and so on, are all potential aromatase inhibitors.
That’s because crusiferous veggies are very high in this compound called 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM) which is mainly known for its estrogen lowering effects.
The main reason why DIM does that is because it effectively metabolises estrogen molecules and helps your body to remove them trough your liver…
…But DIM is also known for its ability to block aromatase enzyme.
That basically means that crusiferous vegetables will decrease estrogen levels via two different pathways. Estrogen metabolization and aromatase inhibition.
You can also supplement with DIM, but it’s much more cheaper to just eat a bunch of crusiferous vegetables.
Parsley
Parsley is rich in this flavonoid called apigening…
…And apigening did effectively inhibit aromatase enzyme in this study.
Apigening has also been shown to stimulate testosterone production inside testicular leydig cells…
…And it’s rich in natural nitrates which also makes it a great nitric oxide boosting food.
What more could you ask from a natural flavonoid?
Conclusion
Inhibiting the aromatase enzyme is one of the best things that men can do in essence to boost their testosterone levels.
With the help of the 7 foods mentioned above, you should be able to block the conversion from testosterone to estrogen very efficiently.
NOTE: remember the fact that nothing induces aromatase enzyme in the male body more than being fat. So if you really want to block all that aromatase and enjoy superhuman testosterone levels, you need to lean down and burn that fat!
http://www.anabolicmen.com/foods-that-block-aromatase-enzyme/
By the way, in response to your advice against taking DHEA, let me share my own experience with it. About five years ago I realized that upon waking, I hadn’t been experiencing spontaneous morning erections for some time (I’m now 61). So in a successful self-study I started taking DHEA along with pregnenolone, stinging nettle root, which is claimed to release free testosterone by binding to sex hormone-binding globulin more tightly than does testosterone, and DIM, an anti-amoratase. Not only did my morning erections return, along with improved libido, but my general mood and optimism also improved. I later dropped the pregenolone without any negative results. The result of the placebo effect? I doubt it, and in any case, the results are what I wanted.
http://nutritionfacts.org/video/the-benefits-of-caloric-restriction-without-the-actual-restricting/
The best aromatase-inhibiting foods and herbs
(NaturalNews) Aging and high levels of physical, chemical and emotional stress are associated with the loss of progesterone in women and testosterone in men. This process of converting androgenic hormones into estrogens is called aromatization. Aromatization leads to a state of estrogen dominance that is a major factor in many common health problems. Certain foods and herbs help the body reverse the process of aromatization.
Estrogen is a catabolic hormone that breaks down muscle mass and leads to an increase in body fat and aromatase. Testosterone, and to a slight degree progesterone, are anabolic hormones that promote lean body mass. Aromatase is an enzyme that is found in estrogen-producing cells located in the adrenal glands, ovaries, placenta, testicles, brain and fat tissue. Higher levels of aromatase in the body convert more testosterone and progesterone into estrogen.
Elevated aromatase activity and estrogen dominance are some of the most common factors associated with breast, uterine and ovarian cancers in women. Prostate, colon and breast cancer in men are associated with estrogen dominance. Other symptoms include PMS symptoms, cervical dysplasia, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, decreased libido, fatigue, fibrocystic breasts, headaches, infertility and weight gain.
Anti-estrogenic foods and herbs:
1. Cruciferous veggies: Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower Brussel sprouts and cabbage contain several powerful nutrients that detoxify bad estrogenic molecules. These nutrients include Indole-3 Acetate, Indole-3 Carbonyl and Diindolylmethane. These cruciferous veggies also contain sulfur containing nutrients such as Sulfuraphane and Phenyl Isothiocyanates that enhance liver detoxification processes and destroy cancer cell formation.
2. Healthy fat-rich foods: These are foods that are rich in saturated and omega-3 fatty acids. It includes plant based fats such as coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil and avocados. Raw nuts (other than peanuts) and seeds contain anti-estrogenic plant sterols. Organic poultry, wild-caught salmon, wild game and 100% grass-fed beef are great for healthy hormone function.
3. Alium family: The aliums include garlic, onions, scallions, chives and leeks. These are all rich in sulfur-containing amino acids and the powerful flavone anti-oxidant quercetin that both help the liver detoxify at a higher level and reduce the production of estrogen.
4. Flavone rich herbs: Dietary flavones and flavonones have been demonstrated to be the most potent aromatase-inhibitory flavonoids. The most powerful flavones include chrysin which is found in passionflower and apignine which is found in chamomile. Several brands of herbal tea can be purchased that feature both organic passionflower and chamomile. These teas are typically marketed for healthy sleep but they are also powerful anti-estrogenic activity.
5. Flavonones: These are found in citrus fruits and in particular lemons and limes. They are classically called citrus bioflavonoids and they include diosmin, hesperidin, rutin, naringin, tangeretin, diosmetin, narirutin, neohesperidin, nobiletin and quercetin.
6. Antioxidant-rich herbs: Herbs such as oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage and turmeric are loaded with volatile oils that promote liver detoxification. Turmeric has a potent ability to destroy estrogen receptor positive cancer cells which are the most commonly found cells in breast, uterine, ovarian and prostate cancer.
7. Chlorophyll: One of the most powerful life-giving substances on the planet is chlorophyll. This is the pigment that gives green foods their color. Chlorophyll-rich foods have a very deep green color and they are extraordinarily useful in purifying the body of toxins.
8. Fermented foods: These contain organic acids, anti-oxidants, enzymes and probiotics that enhance gut function and eliminatory channels. Fermented veggies include sauerkraut, kimchi and fermented soy. Fermented raw dairy from 100% grass-fed cows is amazing for the body. Fermented drinks such as apple cider vinegar, kombucha and herbal botanicals are great estrogen detoxifiers.
Sources for this article include:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21741436
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-aromatization.htm
http://www.naturopathic.org/content.asp?admin=Y&contentid=401
About the author:
Dr David Jockers is a Maximized Living doctor and owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Georgia where he specializes in functional nutrition, functional medicine and corrective chiropractic care to get to the underlying cause of major health problems.
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/040798_aromatization_estrogen_testosterone.html#ixzz3wvrL0pYH
