Your
body has two types of Testosterone.
Free
and Bound.
Useful
to your body, and not.
Youthful hormone balance is critical to maintaining
health and preventing disease in men and women, particularly over the
age of 40. Testosterone promotes the building of tissue and is considered
an anabolic steroid hormone. Low levels of testosterone are associated
with numerous adverse health conditions. As men age Testosterone
production declines, some of what is still made gets converted
into other hormones including estrogen (yes guys, estrogen) and
DHT (DHT is what enlarges your prostate and makes you bald). And to
make matters even worse, much of the remaining Testosterone is bound
by SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin), rendering it near useless.
Free Testosterone
Testosterone not bound is known as free testosterone. Less than 2% of
testosterone is typically found in the “free” state in both men and
women. It is in this form that it can exert its powerful anabolic and
androgenic effects on the human body. It is the levels of free Testosterone
that matter, since only free hormones are biologically active and useful
to the body.
Clinical study on just one key ingredient of
T.O.P. shows a 98.9% increase in Free Testosterone over eight weeks.
T.O.P. is a potent synergistic formula that combines safe, powerful
Herbs, Supplements and Extracts for healthy support of your Free Testosterone
level. Normalize Free Testosterone by safely and effectively increasing
natural production while blocking excess estrogen, SHBG and the conversion
to DHT. T.O.P. is designed to do more than bring Testosterone
to normal healthy youthful hormone levels. T.O.P. ingredients
have shown to increase "good" hormones while reducing "bad"
hormones.
It's
time to feel younger - Call 1-800-809-7241 to order T.O.P. today.
Ask about our special promotion
package with T.O.P. and Pro 500
Testosterone
Optimization Protocol Components
Male
Hormone Balance
Normal “Free” Testosterone level:
* Maintains protein synthesis
* Maintains bone density
* Maintains sexual functions such as libido
* Builds and maintains muscle mass
* Burns fat
* Maintains healthy cholesterol levels
* Supports endothelial (cells lining blood vessels) function
* Supports energy level
* Supports mood
* Supports immune function
* Improves oxygen uptake throughout the body
* Helps control blood sugar
* Protects against anemia
* Provides for male secondary sex characteristics (deep voice, increase
in facial and body hair, muscle development and erectile capability)
Testosterone decline
For men, testosterone levels peak in their mid 20s and begin a steady
decline of about 1.25% per year after that, dropping to approximately
65% of young adult levels by age 75. Hormone levels typically begin
to change more drastically in the middle 40s. This change in hormone
balance is partially responsible for the significant physiological changes
seen in aging men. For men this is the beginning of andropause, where
testosterone levels decline while estrogen and insulin levels typically
rise, resulting in imbalance.
Testosterone deficiency may lead to:
* Loss of stamina
* Anxiety
* Cognitive decline (verbal memory, working memory, and visuospatial
performance)
* Depression
* Increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease
* Higher blood pressure
* Higher LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels
* Greater body mass index
* Osteoporosis
* Atrophy of the genitals
* Sexual dysfunction
In men, free testosterone levels may be used to evaluate whether sufficient
bioactive testosterone is available to protect against abdominal obesity,
mental depression, osteoporosis, and heart disease.
Conversion of
Testosterone
After testosterone is secreted into the bloodstream
it can follow several different paths. Some testosterone attaches with
another biochemical known as sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) rendering
it useless.
Testosterone also can be converted via enzymatic pathways into different
hormones. Through the enzyme, 5-alpha reductase, testosterone can be
converted into dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. Testosterone also can be
converted to estrogen (estradiol) via the actions of another enzyme,
aromatase.
With age, the conversion of testosterone to DHT and estrogen increases,
as does the production of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). These
factors contribute to a reduced amount of free testosterone in the body.
Conversion of Testosterone to DHT
Testosterone is metabolized into DHT by 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme
produced in the prostate, adrenal glands, and scalp. DHT (dihydrotestosterone)
is an activated form of testosterone that is estimated to be 2-10 times
more potent than testosterone. DHT is responsible for the development
and maintenance of the male external genitalia and the prostate gland.
DHT is known to cause:
* Excess facial hair
* Hair loss at the top of the head. About 95% of all cases of hair
loss are the result of androgenic alopecia, or male pattern hair loss.
* Benign prostate enlargement. It is thought that DHT stimulates prostate
growth, leading to enlargement. However a 1993 study showed that men
treated with DHT (which cannot convert to estrogen) saw a reduction
in the size of their prostate with no sign of prostate cancer.
Conversion of Testosterone to Estrogen - Aromatase
In men and post menopausal women, most estrogens are produced from androgens;
specifically, most estradiol is produced from testosterone. This conversion
of androgens to estrogens is called aromatization, after the enzyme
aromatase, found in fat tissue (as well as skin, bone, and brain cells).
Since aromatase is found in fat tissue, the greater the volume of fat
tissue, the more aromatase is available. Since aromatase converts testosterone
into estrogen, and estrogen builds fat tissue, we have an endless cycle
of greater fat, greater aromatase, greater estrogen and less testosterone.
This conversion of testosterone into estrogen alters the ratio of estrogen
to testosterone. High serum levels of estrogen may also trick the brain
into thinking that enough testosterone is being produced, thereby slowing
the natural production of testosterone.
For many, a safe and easy way to increase free testosterone is to prevent
the conversion (aromatization) of testosterone into excess estrogen.
Binding of Testosterone to SHBG
The effect of sex hormones on tissues is also affected by the level
of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Hormones bound to carrier molecules
like SHBG are inactive, so the amount of SHBG has an important impact
on the degree to which tissues respond to sex hormone levels.
Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) increases with age, resulting in
a decreased concentration of free testosterone. In many aging men, especially
those who are obese, free testosterone levels drop significantly as
the levels of SHBG increase and “bind up” whatever free testosterone
is left.
This discovery has changed the picture of what really happens to men's
testosterone levels as they age. While the levels of total testosterone
may remain quite adequate, the levels of free testosterone have been
found to decline by as much as 40% between the ages of 40 and 70.
The liver removes excess estrogen and SHBG. Increased binding of SHBG
to testosterone occurs when the liver is taxed by prescription drugs,
alcohol as well as other factors and cannot adequately remove excess
SHBG.
Hormonal Balance
Youthful hormone balance is critical to maintaining health and preventing
disease in men and women, particularly over the age of 40. All steroid
hormones are created from cholesterol in a hormonal cascade. The first
in the chain is pregnenolone, which is converted into other hormones,
including DHEA, progesterone, testosterone, and the various forms of
estrogen. These hormones are interrelated, each performing a unique
biological function. True health seeks to achieve an optimal hormone
balance.
The importance of this balance cannot be overstated. Physicians are
just now beginning to understand the danger of having too much estrogen,
a condition referred to as "estrogen dominance". Estrogen
dominance might explain many of the conditions that confront modern
Western men & women.
For men, testosterone levels peak in their mid 20s and begin a steady
decline of about 1.25% per year after that. The hormone levels of men
typically begin to change more drastically in their middle 40s. For
men this is the beginning of andropause. This is where testosterone
levels decline and estrogen levels typically rise, resulting in imbalance.
This imbalance lead to greater risk of disease.
For men, “estrogen dominance” is the drop in testosterone production,
along with the conversion of what little testosterone is left, into
estrogen. One consequence of estrogen production is stimulation of sex
hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) by estrogen. An increase in SHBG further
binds testosterone and lowers the free testosterone level.
Children may also experience estrogen dominance, primarily due to external
estrogens (xenoestrogens). This may lead to many health concerns, including
obesity, diabetes and inappropriate maturation.
Since sex hormones are synthesized from cholesterol, it has been hypothesized
that elevated cholesterol levels represent the body's attempt to supply
more of the raw materials for hormone production, as the supply of sex
hormones decline with age.
Testosterone - Estrogen balance
As men age, the level of free testosterone declines, leading to an imbalance
between estrogens and androgens (female and male hormones). In addition
to the absolute change in total testosterone levels, changes also are
seen in the ratio of free testosterone to testosterone bound to SHBG.
In many aging men, and certainly in those who are obese, free testosterone
levels drop significantly as SHBG levels increase and “bind up” the
remaining free testosterone.
Aging men typically experience both an increase in aromatase activity
and an elevation in SHBG production. The net result is to increase the
ratio of estrogen to testosterone and lower the total testosterone level.
In older men, the ratio of free estradiol to free testosterone may be
40% higher than when they were younger.
One report showed that estrogen levels of the average 54-year-old man
are higher than those of the average 59-year-old woman. While estrogen
is a necessary hormone for men, but too much causes a wide range of
health problems.
It is also important that aging men also strive for optimal liver function.
The liver is responsible for removing excess estrogen and SHBG. Any
compromise in liver function (such as that caused by heavy alcohol consumption
or prescription drugs, for example) can exacerbate hormonal imbalances.
Hormonal Imbalance and Body Fat
As men age, their levels of free testosterone decline, and levels of
estrogen and insulin increase. Men who have excessive body fat, especially
abdominal fat, are likely to have increased estrogen levels caused by
aromatase activity and a dramatically increased estrogen level compared
to testosterone. This relationship between low testosterone and obesity
has been described as the hypogonadal/obesity cycle. In this cycle,
a low testosterone level leads to an increase in abdominal fat, which
leads to increased aromatase activity, which leads to further conversion
of testosterone to estradiol, which further reduces testosterone and
increases the tendency toward abdominal fat. So as long as free testosterone
is low and the ratio of estrogen to insulin is high, most aging men
will store fat around their belly. The idea behind increasing free testosterone
levels is to counteract the effects of increased estrogen.
Since research has shown that boosting the testosterone decreases the
abdominal fat mass, reverses glucose intolerance and reduces lipoprotein
abnormalities in the serum, it is especially important for overweight
men to consider some form of testosterone therapy.
Progesterone
Typically thought of as a female hormone, progesterone
can also be an invaluable tool in hormone modulation in men. Progesterone
is manufactured in men by the adrenal glands and testes. Just as estrogen
dominance can severely affect the quality of life for women, excess
estrogen can be equally detrimental to men. Elevated estrogen in men
has been linked to gynecomastia (breast enlargement in men), decreased
sexual function, weight gain, and prostate enlargement.
Whereas estrogen is pro-growth, progesterone is anti-growth. One of
progesterone's most valuable functions is its ability to fight cancer.
Natural progesterone has also demonstrated neuroprotective properties
(reducing or preventing motor, cognitive, and sensory impairments) in
both men and women.
Estrogen
Estrogen is a pro-growth hormone. Excess estrogen:
* Increases body fat, mostly from the waist down
* Decreases lean muscle mass
* It can cause fibrosis and cancer of the prostate
* Creates depression and mood swings
There are three major forms of estrogen, estradiol,
estrone, and estriol. Estradiol, the kind used in conventional womens
hormone replacement therapy (HRT), is the strongest, and is associated
with the growth of cancer cells. Estradiol is less potent than estradiol.
The weakest estrogen is estriol. It is the form of estrogen least associated
with hormone-related cancers. Estriol is often recommended as a safe
hormone replacement.
These three estrogens convert into many metabolites. Estrone, for example,
may convert into three different forms:
* 2-hydroxyestrone
* 4-hydroxyestrone
* 16-alpha-hydroxyestrone
Scientists have identified 2-hydroxyestrone as a
“good estrogen,” while 16-alpha-hydroxyestrone and 4-hydroxyestrone
have been associated with the development of cancer. By increasing the
ratio of 2-hydroxyestrone to 16-alpha-hydroxyestrone, it may be possible
to reduce the risk of hormone related cancers. Fortunately, the cruciferous
vegetable compounds (such as DIM) are effective in shifting estrogen
metabolism to the more beneficial pathway, thus reducing levels of toxic
16-alpha-hydroxyestrone and increasing levels of protective 2-hydroxyestrone.
This beneficial modulation of estrogen reduces the risk of some cancers,
including prostate (cervical and breast for women) and even head and
neck cancers.
The pituitary gland is second after the uterus as the most estrogen-responsive
area of the body.
Estrogen and men
Estrogen has been found to be important in many physiological functions
in men, including maintenance of bone mass and cognitive function. While
estrogen is a necessary hormone for men, at high levels it has been
associated with an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
Estrogen, rather than testosterone, is believed to be one of the prime
hormonal initiators of prostate cancer. While testosterone levels are
highest in young men, prostate cancer is essentially never seen in this
population. It’s only in older men, who have lower levels of testosterone
but higher levels of estrogen and its breakdown products, that prostate
cancer is a significant health threat.
When estrogen binds to SHBG in the prostate cell membrane, a growth
factor called IGF-I (insulin-like growth factor I) is synthesized, causing
proliferation of epithelial cells in the prostate. This sets the stage
for further proliferation when androgens activate binding sites for
growth factors.
For men, there are a growing number of anti-aging researchers who believe
that estrogen and its metabolites, such as 16-alpha-hydroxyesterone,
may be more significant in the development of prostate cancer than testosterone.
Phytoestrogens
Phytoestrogens are estrogen-like plant compounds.
For men, they have shown to protect against prostate cancer. For both
men and women phytoestrogen consumption has been shown to reduce the
risk of certain kinds of cancer, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease.
Phytoestrogens are very weak estrogens that bind to estrogen receptors.
By competing for estrogen receptors, phytoestrogens take the place of
stronger, more harmful estrogens, preventing the growth and spread of
several hormone dependent cancers. They prevent the conversion of estrone
to the “strong” estrogen, 17b-estradiol. This is important because 17b-estradiol
fuels the growth of hormonally-dependent cancers. A third benefit of
phytoestrogens is that they inhibit aromatase, an enzyme used for “strong”
estrogen production.
Phytoestrogens include: Genistein, daidzein, and coumestrol, formononetin,
and biochanin.
A survey of scientific studies on phytoestrogens found they offer the
following benefits:
* Decreased blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, total
cholesterol, and triglycerides.
* Increased HDL cholesterol and improved cardiovascular profile.
* Genistein and daidzein, two of the most extensively studied phytoestrogens,
are effective at lowering lipids in people with high cholesterol.
They have also shown to have beneficial estrogenic effects in bone,
the brain and the cardiovascular system
* Increased levels of daidzein and genistein inhibit LDL oxidation
and help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.
* A recent study showed that those who consumed the most phytoestrogens
reduced their lung cancer risk by an astounding 46%.
* Phytoestrogens have up to almost 3 times the radical scavenging
activity of vitamin C and vitamin E and have protective effects on
the arterial walls.
At times acting estrogenic can be a good thing,
depending on the tissue. In bone estrogenic type activity maintains
bone. In immune cells, it increases the ability of natural killer cells
to kill cancer cells. Genistein does both of these things. Different
phytoestrogens act differently. Most have no estrogenic activity whatsoever.
Some, like genistein, can have weak activity in certain tissues.
Xenoestrogens
Xenoestrogens are estrogen-like compounds from the
environment, synthetic substances that imitate the effects of estrogens.
Estrogen levels may be elevated by a number of external influences.
Xenoestrogens (foreign estrogens) are among a group of chemicals known
to alter hormone levels. Environmental pesticides, including those found
on commercially grown fruits and vegetables along with dietary estrogens
from meat and dairy products, are primary sources of xenoestrogens.
Cosmetics, shampoo, detergents, chemicals, and plastics also contribute
to the accumulation of these foreign estrogens.
We ingest and absorb these xenoestrogens. In the body, these xenoestrogens
are toxic compounds that can potentially trigger the onset or progression
of cancer. By mimicking estrogens, xenoestrogens influence hormonally
regulated processes and induce changes in growth factors, which can
set the stage for cancer.
Recent discoveries show there is an entire new class of estrogen receptors
called estrogen-receptor-related receptors. These receptors do not respond
to the body’s natural estrogen. They are instead activated by xenoestrogens.
Pesticides and tamoxifen are two examples of xenoestrogens that activate
estrogen-receptor-related receptors. Not only can these receptors do
everything the estrogen receptors that respond to natural estrogen can
do, but they also have a major impact on how an estrogen—any kind of
estrogen—behaves. This may explain how environmental estrogens (endocrine
disruptors) interfere with the body’s normal metabolism.
Xenoestrogens, hormone balance and disease
For most Americans, external xenoestrogens add to the estrogen mix.
Hormones in our food supply (such as bovine growth hormone) and environmental
xenoestrogens (synthetic substances that imitate the effects of estrogens)
may contribute to estrogen dominance and disease. There is a correlation
between the dramatic decline in bioavailable testosterone and sperm
count that has been observed in American men over the past 50 years
and xenoestrogen propagation. This same period has coincided with a
meteoric rise in the incidence of diabetes and heart disease in the
US.
Causes of estrogen dominance from xenoestrogens include the following:
* Environmental pesticides, including those found on commercially grown
fruits and vegetables, which have an estrogen-like effect in the body
* Exposure to xenoestrogens found in herbicides and in petrochemicals,
such as those found in cosmetics, glue, plastic, and other modern materials
* Increased intake of sugar and processed food, which is linked to magnesium
deficiency
* Adulterated and processed meats
The use of hormone implants in cows (which dates back over 50 years)
coincides with the beginning of a major increase in diabetes and prostate
and breast cancer in North America. Other countries that allow such
implants also have high rates of breast and prostate cancer. In Europe,
such implants are banned.
It's
time to feel younger - Call 1-800-809-7241 to order T.O.P. today.
Ask
about our special promotion package with T.O.P. and Pro 500
Testosterone
Optimization Protocol Components
Disclaimer: Regenesis makes no medical
claims - Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the
Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose,
treat and cure or prevent disease. Always consult with your professional
health care provider before changing any medication.
The information is for educational use only. Do not attempt to self-diagnose
or treat any condition. Please consult your healthcare practitioner
if you believe you may have any of the signs or symptoms discussed above
before using any of the nutrients discussed.
You should also consult with a healthcare professional before starting
any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication,
or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. Always
read and follow all label directions.
