Testosterone Booster With Estrogen Blockers: Do inhibitors work?

Testosterone Booster With Estrogen Blockers

Ben BA(Hons), PGCert

Some testosterone boosters include ingredients that are useful for increasing testosterone levels. Other also include estrogen blockers to have a double effect.

However, are they really warranted? We take a look.

LAST UPDATED: April 2019 by Ben.

This article is supported by 12 references to reputable sources.

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Estrogen and Testosterone

Have you ever tried to buy a testosterone booster supplement?

How did you find it?

A minefield of options, brands, names, labels and ingredients?

Yes, just a momentarily look on Amazon will illustrate how much choice there is.

However, one thing I have noticed is that many of the test boosters available are mere clones of each other.

The same list of ingredients and doses yet in a different bottle with a different label.

Sold as private label supplement, the formula is ready made and a company merely sticks a label on their of their choice.

Yet, this just waters down the options available and does nothing for your testosterone.

And, even this means that they can vary massively in price. However, they all claim to have one aim.

To stimulate more natural secretion of testosterone.

Whether or not they are effective is a wholly different matte, and the truth be-known, there’s many test booster supplements out there with very few proven ingredients.

You have to tread carefully.

Hormones

But apart from raising testosterone levels we have to consider estrogen. Estrogen to women is what testosterone is to men. It’s our dominant sex hormone.

Women have more estrogen than testosterone and we have more testosterone than women.

Yet, we both have amounts of each, regardless of our gender.

Therefore, while there’s many products available helping raise testosterone production, have we ever really considered that we should also work to decrease the levels or at least regulate levels of estrogen?

Because like most things in life, balance is key.

An overriding amount of estrogen could have a negative effect on many physiological areas.

Why would I want to increase testosterone?

There’s two reasons for this.

Although, to many people, they may think increasing levels of testosterone is for vanity’s sake only.

Well, that is not necessarily true.

Okay, when you think of testosterone you think of hulking bodybuilders in those eighties style all-in-one striped bodysuit, wrestler singlet, leotards things.

Probably with a gold hoop earring or two.

And, while testosterone certainly has a major role here, it is not just about looking tanned and greased up posing in a gym.

However, we need to understand that the reason guys in their teens and early twenties look good, with more muscle tone, less fat, more energy and seem to be picking up chicks every night is due to testosterone.

It is a natural hormone, and we have it in abundance when we are in our ‘prime’.

But, just as nature released the floodgates when we were young, that raging torrent gradually becomes a mere trickle over time.

So, why would we want to increase natural levels of testosterone?

Your body gradually slows the rate and amount of testosterone it produces once you hit 30 years old, or thereabouts.
Testosterone is responsible for many healthy bodily functions

Well, I say two reasons, but there are so many more reasons for wanting to ensure that you are producing the most amount of natural testosterone possible.

Benefits

Reason such as these…

Testosterone is responsible for much more than looking like a greased pig in a leotard posing next to a bench:

Helps with mood
Feelings of energy
Can increase confidence
Healthy cognitive function
Aids sleep
Increases muscle mass and strength
Controls body fat and distribution
Libido
Helps erections
Prevents metabolic syndrome
Increase bone density
Red blood cell production
Sperm production

So, you can see that as you age, you will suffer what is known as the ‘Andropause’, which is similar to the female Menopause yet the onset is much more gradual.

However, in extreme cases, you may also experience hypogonadism.

This is a situation where you are not just suffering from the natural decline of testosterone production but you are suffering from much lower levels of testosterone that is healthy. [1] [2]

Andropause?

When you suffer from Andropause, you are then hit with a number of conditions that gradually take their effect.

These conditions are the opposite of the bullet points we shared with you above. So, the gradual onset of andropause will have a negative effect on your mood, fat levels, cognitive health, energy levels, libido and muscle mass.

However, these are all of the symptoms you can see or feel.

You are less likely to pick up on problems such as weakening bones, sperm count, metabolic syndrome and red blood cell production.

It can be so slow that you do not notice there is an issue, you put it down to a number of other things such as age or lack of exercise, yet, this merely exacerbates the problem.

So, unless you enjoy excess fat around the abdomen, or a lack of muscle mass, less energy, lower libido, lower self esteem and a gloomier outlook on life.

Notwithstanding a mention of the issues under the skin such as lower bone density and possible cardiovascular issues you should try to reverse the effects of testosterone depletion.

Ageing

And, all of this literally comes with age.

In fact, you may be interested to hear that older men can have higher levels of estrogen that women who have just had the menopause! [3]

Obviously, some people are effected more than others, and there’s also those who have abnormally low testosterone.

So, as you can see, trying to maintain a high level or healthy level of testosterone is not just for your Instagram followers; your quality of life could depend on it.

What is testosterone?

Testosterone is a male sex hormone produced by men in the testicles and by women in the ovaries.

Women also have testosterone in their system as men also have estrogen flowing through their body too, however, women have much lower amounts of testosterone just as men have much lower amounts of estrogen.

As already mentioned, the production of testosterone is important because it is responsible for so many healthy physiological functions.

This is due to testosterone being the principle sex hormone, which is responsible for the reproductive process in men.

It is often referred to as an androgen, and, androgens are also referred to as anabolic steroids.

Androgens

This, is most likely how you have heard about testosterone in the first place.

Testosterone is commonplace in sport, gyms and is now referred to as the lifestyle drug on a par with cocaine because its use is so widespread.

This is because its physical effects (benefits?) are so clear to see:

Increased muscle mass
Decreased fat

With many people wanting that cover model body and image, you can see why anabolic steroids are so popular.

However, in a natural situation, when men are growing up and developing, it is testosterone that is responsible for the size of the penis and testicles.

Due to its responsibility for overall health in men, it is often considered the most important male hormone even though the stigma is just that it is used for body builders.

While women produce as little as 10 times less than men, it still affects their sexual intercourse pleasure and their libido.

However, if they suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome, this is where they produce too much testosterone and suffer from masculine characteristics such as increased body hair, deeper voice and it can cause infertility.

The opposite of testosterone is estrogen…

What is estrogen?

Estrogen is the female sex hormone, which is present in men just as testosterone is present in women, and produced by the testicles just as testosterone is.

If a man has too much estrogen, he can start to develop female characteristics such as enlarged breast tissue known as Gynecomastia.

If you have high estrogen levels, men can suffer a lot more than the embarrassment caused by fatty breasts…

Estrogen may also lead to prostate cancer and heart disease. [4]

Yet, the more noticeable would be the physical symptoms which include:

More body fat
Muscle loss
Tiredness
Impotency
Libido loss
Emotional disruption
Diabetes

If these sound familiar, it is because these are the symptoms of low testosterone.

What we must understand is that our sex hormones are continually performing a balancing act and too much estrogen then reduces the levels of testosterone, as such, we (men) lose all the benefits of a high level of testosterone.

In that case, give me loads of testosterone!

Yes, and no.

It is certainly true that studies demonstrate that overall quality of life improves when a man has a healthy level of testosterone when compared to lower levels, and in particular, when a man suffers from hypogonadism.

You can read our piece on this, with the references to the studies, here.

It was also demonstrated that when a man’s T levels were raised naturally there were no adverse effects over and above what would have been expected within a normal range.

With this in mind it is way too easy to get on the steroid hype train and choo choo all the way to T town in Steroidville hoping that it will cure all ailments.

However, while steroids, if taken sensibly and are actually pharmaceutical grade can potentially open up a whole world of benefit.

There are studies available that show men will suffer from high levels of estrogen after receiving testosterone replacement therapy from injection. [5]

Injecting with synthetic testosterone to increase the levels of total testosterone can actually inhibit fertility if you are wishing to have a child, more of which you can read about, here.

So, while it is important to have a healthy level of testosterone, let’s not go too far by injecting synthetic testosterone as this can have it’s own negative consequences, too.

What’s the best course of action?

What we need to do is naturally help raise the levels of testosterone while simultaneously helping reduce estrogens.

This way, we can get the benefits of a higher level of testosterone while minimizing the negatives associated with too much estrogen which could be harmful to our health.

So what we need to do is adopt a lifestyle and diet that reduces the risk of a harmful level of estrogen and also increases testosterone.

You can start by changing your diet…

Start eating cruciferous vegetables often.

Professional rugby players have mentioned how they will eat raw broccoli for breakfast for the benefits that they bring to reduce estrogens.

Other cruciferous vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, bok choy and turnip greens (all of the ones that make you fart) contain high amounts of glucosinolates.

These are then converted by the body which in turn reduce estrogen levels.

These vegetables also include compounds such as DIM and Indole-3-carbinol which also readdress the balance of estrogen. [6]

Increase your exercise regime.

Doing more exercise and losing weight will help towards reducing estrogen levels.

If you start lifting weights and incorporating more resistance exercises this will see an increase in testosterone levels to help readdress the balance. [7]

The most effective exercises are the compound weight lifting exercises such as the squat, deadlift, overhead press and the bench press.

These lifts incorporate more than one joint and larger muscle groups which stimulates more natural testosterone production and more muscle growth.

More muscle growth also burns more calories which in turn helps you keep your unhealthy fat mass at bay. [8]

What about natural test boosters?

As touched upon in the first paragraph of this article, there are literally thousands of natural testosterone boosters available to buy.

As already mentioned we need to stay away from injecting synthetic anabolic steroids to prevent risks such as infertility and increased levels of estrogen.

So, we need a natural test booster loaded with natural and proven ingredients.

These ingredients can be found in many foods, however, getting the amounts we need every day to maintain optimal testosterone levels can be difficult.

Convenience

When we look at all of these social media stars it is easy to forget that they live this ‘clean’ and healthy lifestyle 24/7.

They don’t have to be in the office by 9am to then conduct a sales presentation at 10 whilst managing a tea of 8.

So, while it looks great that they are eating a healthy breakfast, outside on their balcony in the sun, the truth of the matter is that they can do that.

The majority of us cannot, we are stuck in commuting trafic for an hour each morning, then have to pick the kids up after work.

As such, drinking that healthy broccoli smoothie and overnight oats down by the beach is just not a luxury many can afford.

This is how supplements can help the ‘everyday’ person.

Those doing the everyday grind, not just a pretend grind for an IG post.

So, supplements offer a convenient way to get all of the nutrients that we need to ensure we can maintain an optimal natural hormone level that can offer us the benefits of a higher quality of life.

However, it is important to ensure the testosterone booster you are buying contains a plethora or proven ingredients based on studies.

You need to have the confidence to look past folk lore or anecdotal evidence passed down gym conversations over the past 5 decades.

Not all natural testosterone boosters include anti-estrogen compounds.

Many companies prefer an offer to maximize testosterone levels and include more T boosting ingredients to provide a sledge hammer effect at re-addressing that hormone balance.

However, some of the best testosterone boosters do include ingredients that are proven to reduce estrogen levels and increase testosterone.

In which case, let’s take a look at which ingredients are best…

Estrogen blocking ingredients

DIM (Diindolylmethane) – Diindolylmethane appears to promote a healthy balance of testosterone in the body and is found in vegetables such as broccoli.

Cruciferous vegetables which contain high levels of DIM such as broccoli are eaten by many professional athletes such as rugby league players for their benefits. [9]

Boron – Within one week Boron was found to decrease estrogen levels by up to 39% in men during a clinical trial. [10]

Luteolin – This has demonstrated estrogen reducing capabilities and also increase testosterone levels. [11]

Mucuna Pruriens – This doesn’t affect estrogen but reduces another female sex hormone; prolactin. [12]

Which natural T boosters include these ingredients?

It is one thing buying a test booster with these ingredients present, but it is actually another matter entirely of finding and buying a natural test booster that not only contains these ingredients but also contains supporting ingredients that can maximize testosterone levels.

We have done the hard work for you and the research.

I have hand picked two natural test boosters that you may wish to consider that include good and proven test boosting ingredients plus the estrogen blockers.

This way you can buy an effective test booster that will be effective and reducing estrogen and increasing testosterone.

#1 – Prime Male

Prime Male contains a total of twelve ingredients.

Three of which will help block estrogen and inhibit its negative effects on your body and well being.

Every other ingredient is proven to stimulate an increase in testosterone production.

Prime Male contains:

Luteolin
Boron
Mucuna Pruriens

There is a high daily dose and an effective dosing strategy. This all combines to provide one of the best and most effective natural T boosters on the market.

You can read the full review, here.

#2 – Hunter Test

Hunter Test is a new supplement to the market and has impressed us greatly with its high dose and carefully selected ingredients.

This does include Indole 3 carbinol.

I3C has demonstrated its abilities of being anti-estrogenic which can help prevent hormone dependent cancers and also prevents the conversion of testosterone to estrogen.

Read our full review of Hunter Test, here.

#3 – Neanderthal

Neanderthal from Primeval Labs also contains three estrogen inhibiting ingredients as well as a further eight additional ingredients.

The three anti-estrogen ingredients are:

DIM
Boron
Macuna Pruriens

This misses the number one spot because some of the additional ingredients are not proven to increase test levels or will do if you are an infertile man only.

It is in powder format so not quite as convenient to take on a daily basis than pills.

Plus, you have the whole dose in one go which means your body will have one massive hit of ingredients then nothing else for 24 hours to work with, all the while excreting all it doesn’t need at that point of digestion and process.

You can read the full review, here.

Conclusion

If we look closely at the available studies from reputable sources, estrogen blocking and regulating ingredients will not necessarily just increase testosterone levels on their own.

However, they do have a positive effect to contribute towards a healthy hormone balance.

And, when combined with other proven ingredients, foods and exercise which are all known and proven to stimulate more testosterone they can have a much wider and positive effect.

As a result, you will find much better results from a supplement that contains those proven test booster ingredients and estrogen regulators.

This way they can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle, even in the areas that you can not see or feel.