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Low
testosterone levels caused by a decrease in bioavailable testosterone
and rising estrogen is a potentially troublesome time in a mans
life. In contrast to mainstream medicines apparent
indifference to the debilitating effects of the aging process, those
of us in the anti-aging field know there are numerous ways in which
men can combat many of these deleterious issues, especially
testosterone and estrogen with a product called Super MiraForte. While multiple studies have proven
that testosterone supplementation can ease or even reverse many issues
and side effects associated with andropause, some men still may be leery of using
testosterone until it is given mainstream medicines stamp of
approval. For those men and others who wish to support their
testosterone levels as they age, below are some specific
recommendations to help increase or maintain optimal testosterone
levels and live life to the fullest whether you are 40 or 90 years of
age. |
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1. Physical
exercise increases testosterone levels.
Multiple
studies have shown that regular,
high-intensity exercise keeps a mans testosterone at optimal
levels.
A 1999 study examined how the
positive side effects of heavy resistance training in both young (23
to 35 years old) and older (58 to 65 years old) men affected their
testosterone levels.1 Both groups saw a statistically
significant increase in testosterone levels after exercise. A
more recent study published in 2001 also showed that strength
training in middle-aged (44 to 48 years old) men increased levels of
free testosterone.2
2.
Protein combats SHBG, helps maintain optimal testosterone levels.
While adequate
protein
consumption is vital to maintaining muscle mass in both men and
women, it is also important in maintaining testosterone levels.
A study published in 2000 examined the relationship between diet and
sex
hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and found that diets low in
protein in elderly men [40-70 years old] may lead to elevated SHBG
levels and decreased testosterone availability and associated side
effects. The decrease in bioavailable testosterone can then result in declines in sexual
function and muscle and red cell mass, and contribute to the loss of
bone density.3
3.
Soy and omega 3 fatty acids keep estrogen and SHBG in check.
Elderly men often see an increase in unhealthy levels of SHBG and
estrogen via activity of the aromatase enzyme, which can lead to a net
decrease in testosterone levels. Two recent Japanese studies
have shown some natural ways in which men can help tilt the ratio back
in favor of testosterone. One study of 97 middle-aged to elderly
men found that men with high levels of soy intake had lower levels of estradiol (a form of estrogen) compared to men with lower levels of
soy
intake.4 The
researchers postulated that this beneficial inverse relationship could
be due to inhibition of the aromatase enzyme by soy and soy-based food
products. Another Japanese study examined how the essential
fatty acids EPA and DHA (found in high concentrations in fish)
affected SHBG levels in men 43 to 88 years of age.5 After controlling for other variables, the researchers concluded that
both EPA and DHA decreased levels of SHBG in middle-aged and elderly
men virtually side effects free.
4.
Indole-3-carbinol protects against high estrogen levels and possibly
prostate issues.
An adequate intake of
indole-3-carbinol
(I3C), through vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, and
cabbage, or via supplements, may prove to be very helpful for aging
men in both keeping estrogen levels in check and maintaining a healthy
prostate. Studies have demonstrated that I3C increases the ratio
of 2-hydroxyestrone to 16-alpha-hydroxyestrone without side effects, thereby causing a
decrease in bad estrogen and an increase in good
estrogen. For men, this very well might mean keeping your
prostate gland healthy
combined with a product such as Super MiraForte. In a recent study that examined the
association of side effects associated with prostate issues with estrogen metabolism, the authors
noted results of this case-control study suggest that the estrogen
metabolic pathway favoring 2-hydroxylation over 16-alpha-hydroxylation
may be instrumental in supporting healthy prostate glands.6
5.
Zinc is essential for optimal testosterone production.
One supplement that should be considered absolutely essential for
maintaining a mans testosterone levels is
zinc.
This busy mineral is involved in almost every aspect of male
reproduction including testosterone metabolism, sperm formation, and
sperm motility. Multiple studies have demonstrated the
effectiveness of zinc in treating males due to low testosterone
levels.7,8 A prime
example of the usefulness of zinc was illustrated in a study of 37 men
with decreased testosterone levels and associated low sperm counts.9
The men were given 60 mg of zinc daily for 45-50 days with no known
side effects. In 22
patients, testosterone levels significantly increased and mean sperm
count rose from 8 million to 20 million.
6.
Chrysin is a natural aromatase inhibitor.
A bioflavonoid called chrysin has shown potential as a natural
aromatase inhibitor. Bodybuilders have used chrysin as a
supplement because by inhibiting the aromatase enzyme, less
testosterone is converted into estrogen. The problem with
chrysin is that because of its poor absorption into the bloodstream,
it has not produced the testosterone-enhancing effects users
expect. Pilot studies have found that when chrysin is combined
with piperine, reductions in serum estrogen (estradiol) and increases
in total and free testosterone result in 30 days. In a study
published in the Journal of Steroid Biochemical Molecular Biology
(1993), chrysin and 10 other flavonoids were studied.10 Chrysin
is not patentable, so do not expect to see a lot of
human research documenting its effects. Aging men who are
seeking to gain control over their sex hormone levels sometimes prefer
natural sources instead of trying to convince a physician to prescribe
side effect laden drugs.
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7.
Nettle root liberates bound testosterone.
Testosterone that becomes bound to serum globulin is not available to
cell receptor sites and fails to induce a libido effect. When
testosterone binds to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), it loses
its biological activity and becomes bound testosterone, as opposed to
the desirable free testosterone. As men age past 45, SHBGs
binding capacity increases dramatically by an average of 40% and
coincides with age-associated loss of libido among other side effects. Some studies show
that the decline in sexual interest with advancing age is not always
due to the amount of testosterone produced, but rather to the
increased binding of testosterone to globulin by SHBG. This
explains why some older men who are on testosterone replacement
therapy do not report a long-term aphrodisiac effect. That is,
the artificially administered testosterone becomes bound by SHBG and
is not bioavailable to cellular receptor sites where it would normally
produce a libido-enhancing positive side effect. European researchers have
identified constituents of nettle root that bind to SHBG in place of
testosterone, thus reducing SHBGs binding of free testosterone.11-15
As the authors of one study stated, these constituents of nettle root
may influence the blood level of free, i.e., active, steroid
hormones by displacing them from the SHBG binding site.
8.
Human Studies Using Combination Nutrients
To ascertain the safety and efficacy of nutrients that are purported
to modulate male hormone levels, the Life Extension Foundation
sponsored clinical studies to assess the positive side effects of specific
supplements on blood levels of testosterone, estrogen, SHBG, etc.16
Based on the results of these studies, a formula called Super MiraForte was developed that combines chrysin, nettle root, muira
puama, piperine, and other nutrients that showed the most potent
effects in boosting free testosterone and suppressing estrogen in
aging men. For those who would prefer to avoid
testosterone-boosting and estrogen-suppressing drugs, four capsules a
day of Super MiraForte may be considered.
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