Testosterone and Mint Tea

[Fadi]

This is another weapon one can use, both males and females according to what is happening with their male and female hormones. After reading the findings in these preliminary studies, I know exactly where I stand on mint tea consumption. I thought it wise to share the same news with you.

Decrease Testosterone In Women Naturally | LIVESTRONG.COM

Mint Tea Warning

I was promted to go on a research when Brenny asked the following question:

Very interesting. So is there no nolvadex equivilant for test? What if you were a woman and your test levels were too high, what would they give you?......

Fadi.

[take2]

This is another weapon one can use, both males and females according to what is happening with their male and female hormones. After reading the findings in these preliminary studies, I know exactly where I stand on mint tea consumption. I thought it wise to share the same news with you.

Decrease Testosterone In Women Naturally | LIVESTRONG.COM

Mint Tea Warning

I was promted to go on a research when Brenny asked the following question:


Fadi.

DIM would be the Nolvadex equivalent for women.

[Fadi]

DIM would be the Nolvadex equivalent for women.

T2, my understanding is that DIM should be avoided for women with elevated testosterone levels since DIM, according to Dr. Lonnie Lowery will enhance any pre-existing androgen/estrogen dominance.

My first choice would have been saw palmetto followed by stinging nettle root extract. My reasoning is that both of these herbs at the right dosages would actually raise (instead of lower) the SHBG which would in turn latch onto the free testosterone in that female’s body and reduce its harmful effects.

So again, why I would not recommend DIM for a woman with elevated testosterone levels? As you know T2, there are two kinds of estrogens that Dim deals with in adjusting. One form is good, it’s known as the 2-hydroxy estrogens which are renowned for protecting the heart, brain and showing antioxidant effects. The ugly form on the other hand is known as 16-hydroxy estrogens, which can cause cancer.

Since DIM promotes a more active metabolism of estrogen, unmetabolised estrogen levels fall and the 2-hydroxy estrogens increase. The 2-hydroxy estrogens possess the unique ability to displace testosterone from SHBG and set if free, which is great for you and me T2. Therefore, the combined effect of DIM to reduce unmetabolised estrogen and increase 2-hydroxy estrogens can reduce elevations in SHBG and allow for more free testosterone, which is terrible for a woman with an already elevated testosterone levels. So it’s a case of one man’s medicine is another man’s poison (or woman as in this case).

Now I’ve got (possibly) another weapon to use in my fight against elevated testosterone levels (in women) and that is mint tea. Nearly forgot; insulin, protein and diet in general can also play a big role in the way our hormones are balanced throughout our body.


Fadi.

[take2]

T2, my understanding is that DIM should be avoided for women with elevated testosterone levels since DIM, according to Dr. Lonnie Lowery will enhance any pre-existing androgen/estrogen dominance.

My first choice would have been saw palmetto followed by stinging nettle root extract. My reasoning is that both of these herbs at the right dosages would actually raise (instead of lower) the SHBG which would in turn latch onto the free testosterone in that female’s body and reduce its harmful effects.

So again, why I would not recommend DIM for a woman with elevated testosterone levels? As you know T2, there are two kinds of estrogens that Dim deals with in adjusting. One form is good, it’s known as the 2-hydroxy estrogens which are renowned for protecting the heart, brain and showing antioxidant effects. The ugly form on the other hand is known as 16-hydroxy estrogens, which can cause cancer.

Since DIM promotes a more active metabolism of estrogen, unmetabolised estrogen levels fall and the 2-hydroxy estrogens increase. The 2-hydroxy estrogens possess the unique ability to displace testosterone from SHBG and set if free, which is great for you and me T2. Therefore, the combined effect of DIM to reduce unmetabolised estrogen and increase 2-hydroxy estrogens can reduce elevations in SHBG and allow for more free testosterone, which is terrible for a woman with an already elevated testosterone levels. So it’s a case of one man’s medicine is another man’s poison.

Now I’ve got (possibly) another weapon to use in my fight against elevated testosterone levels (in women) and that is mint tea. Nearly forgot; insulin, protein and diet in general can also play a big role in the way our hormones are balanced throughout our body.


Fadi.

All that sounds fair Fadi, but from what I've read, I'm not sure I agree totally.

[take2]

My first choice would have been saw palmetto followed by stinging nettle root extract. My reasoning is that both of these herbs at the right dosages would actually raise (instead of lower) the SHBG which would in turn latch onto the free testosterone in that female’s body and reduce its harmful effects.

Saw palmetto is going to have a more direct impact on DHT, as far as I'm aware.

[take2]

Nettle root (Urtica dioica). Saw palmetto and nettle root blocks 5 alpha reductase, reducing the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Nettle root appear to contains substances which bind to SHBG helping reduce the proportion of bound:free testosterone.
Andropause the Male Menopause

It is believed that the herb saw palmetto may reduce SHBG and thus increase the amount of free testosterone. There are no clinical studies to support this theory, but there are no clinical studies to support that saw palmetto does anything and yet it is commonly recommended to support prostrate health. Doctors often recommend it to men on hormone replacement therapy, because synthetic testosterone causes prostrate disorders in many men.
A Guide to Free Testosterone

Saw Palmetto, Wild Oats, and Nettles
Saw Palmetto
It's normal for men to have a lot of testosterone and for women to have some. In both men and women, testosterone is converted into a more potent hormone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone). DHT is the hormone that stimulates hirsutism, (loss of hair on the head and hair growing where you don't want it -- the back and ears for men, face and legs for women). If you can reduce DHT, you reduce hirsutism -- getting rid of hair from the less desirable places and restoring it on top of your head.
Saw palmetto appears to reduce DHT in three different ways:
Inhibits DHT production.
Inhibits the binding of DHT to its cell receptors.
Promotes the breakdown of DHT.
In fact, it appears that one of the primary mechanisms through which Saw palmetto works in the body is that it inhibits 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT. The bottom line is that supplementation with Saw palmetto lowers DHT, thereby reducing hirsutism and increasing available testosterone.
Nettles and Wild Oats
As already mentioned, extracts of Wild oats and Nettles can safely help increase testosterone levels in the body. In fact, German researchers have identified a constituent of nettle root known as (-)-3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran that has a high binding affinity to SHBG. They described it as "remarkable." These researchers suggest that the beneficial effects of plant lignans (such as found in flaxseed oil) on hormone-dependent cancers may be linked to their binding affinity to SHBG. The most potent known lignans in this respect are constituents of nettle root. In addition to inhibiting SHBG binding, at least six constituents of nettle root inhibit aromatase, reducing conversion of androgens to estrogens.
As for Wild oats, there are no formal studies testing its effect on humans. Yet significant amounts of anecdotal clinical observations, particularly with men in their 20s and 30s who had low testosterone levels for their age, have shown that supplementation with Avena sativa results in dramatically increased testosterone levels. The key to the effectiveness of wild oat supplements lies in the quality of the extract. Most extracts tested show little to no presence of the active avenacosides, which provide all of the potency. If you're going to use a supplement that contains Wild oats, you'll want to make sure it comes from a supplier you trust.
Testosterone for Women and Men: Baseline's Alternative Health Newsletter

Combining nettle root with Pygeum and Saw Palmetto results in a stronger, synergistic inhibition. Researchers have identified constituents of nettle root that bind to SHBG in place of testosterone, thus reducing SHBG’s binding of free testosterone. Nettle root may influence the blood level of free (active) steroid hormones by displacing them from the SHBG binding site. Nettle root also inhibits the binding of SHBG to the cell membrane of the prostate, eliminating the ability of estrogen to act on the prostate through SHBG. Research suggests that a constituent of nettle root inhibits the binding of EGF to human prostate cells. Nettle also inhibits the binding of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to Prostate cells.

Saw palmetto is an effective inhibitor of 5-alpha-reductase activity which converts Testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone). DHT enlarges the prostate (BPH) and causes male pattern baldness. Saw palmetto also reduces SHBG activity.
Regenesis Rejuvenation

[Fadi]

Saw palmetto is going to have a more direct impact on DHT, as far as I'm aware.

I won't argue with that statement T2. Sure saw palmetto according to some studies works even better than the drug Finasteride in lowering DHT levels (which is great in itself). However it also raises one's SHBG which makes it a no no here when one is on a cycle that includes testosterone. Hence I'd recommend only half the therapeutic dosage for stinging nettle for men on a test cycle who wish to hit two birds with one stone:

1. Keep the prostate healthy
2. Lower SHBG (in half the dosage don't forget otherwise it would raise it).


Fadi.

[take2]

I won't argue with that statement T2. Sure saw palmetto according to some studies works even better than the drug Finasteride in lowering DHT levels (which is great in itself). However it also raises one's SHBG which makes it a no no here when one is on a cycle that includes testosterone. Hence I'd recommend only half the therapeutic dosage for stinging nettle for men on a test cycle who wish to hit two birds with one stone:

1. Keep the prostate healthy
2. Lower SHBG (in half the dosage don't forget otherwise it would raise it).


Fadi.

Fadi not sure how SP can be dose dependent in relation to SHBG. It either raises SHBG or lowers it, and as I understand it, it lowers SHBG.

[Sim882]

by what degree Fadi are u claiming it affects SGHB? My understanding was that SGHB in men changed very slowly over time .

[take2]

by what degree Fadi are u claiming it affects SGHB? My understanding was that SGHB in men changed very slowly over time .

Not sure what you mean here, but SHBG changes can be pronounced and fast.

[Sim882]

Not sure what you mean here, but SHBG changes can be pronounced and fast.

Ok I am basing this on my Dr who says SHBG changes very slowly across time. I haven't researched the point so am not insisting he's correct.

[take2]

Ok I am basing this on my Dr who says SHBG changes very slowly across time. I haven't researched the point so am not insisting he's correct.

Ok, not exactly sure what he means either; in my own case, SHBG can go from very high to very low in months. There are a lot of factors that impact on SHBG so, at least in my experience, test numbers can be somewhat of a lottery.

[Sim882]

Ok, not exactly sure what he means either; in my own case, SHBG can go from very high to very low in months. There are a lot of factors that impact on SHBG so, at least in my experience, test numbers can be somewhat of a lottery.

Ok - mine have always stayed the same (to my knowledge) so he's been accurate for me.

[take2]

Ok - mine have always stayed the same (to my knowledge) so he's been accurate for me.

Fair enough, although in general, from all I've heard from other people's test results, SHBG is a moveable feast.

[Fadi]

Fadi not sure how SP can be dose dependent in relation to SHBG. It either raises SHBG or lowers it, and as I understand it, it lowers SHBG.

Taking the girls to school; I'm back now and half asleep.

Sorry T2, I began by writing about SP and ended up with SN. I'm not a great fan of SP since I don't believe DHT to be the devil that people with BPH understand it to be. Sure DHT plays a part in oily skin/pimples and hair loss, but the benefits that come from it as far as I'm concerned do outweigh the negatives. Now if there's an excess by a large margin, then we’ll bring it back under control otherwise, it has my blessing to do what it's great at doing and that is: taking care of my libido, erectile functioning, protect me from estrogen, prevent my testosterone from aromatising by inhibiting the activity of the aromatase enzyme, and protect my prostate by overpowering estrogen which is the real culprit in BPH. Of course there are benefits that may be viewed as cosmetic in nature and prowess.

My choice would be to stay the hell away from SP and look elsewhere to balance the ratio of testosterone to estrogen in my favour.

Now I'm not sure anymore we're talking about what I started with in the original post, since it has become all about us (men). Sorry ladies.


Fadi.