Dr. Goodyear

Nice review of the inherent risks associated with 5alpha-reductase inhibition therapy.

low T appears to be associated with cognitive decline in men.  If low T is present on testing, then therapy is appropriate to improve cognition.

Telomere length is shorter in active Cushing's syndrome compared to inactive Cushing's syndrome.  This suggests that elevated Cortisol is associated with shorter Telomere length.

Article looked at the anabolic effect of low-intensity resistance exercise.  This study found a decrease in cortisol post-exercise, but no increase in anabolic effects: GH and total Testosterone.  The exercise was in untrained men, which could explain some of the decrease in the anabolic effect with the men in this study.

The progesterone metabolites effect ER expression.

Bisphenol A (BPA) negatively effects estrogen metabolism. Bisphenol A preferentially increases 4OH-estrone which is the most toxic estrogen metabolite.

Just the abstract available here.  Article states the complexity of hormones found in hormone metabolism.  I love the authors quote, "As steroid hormones are known to be converted to many other steroids occupying different receptors and thereby exerting various different effects..."  Doesn't fit into the "know your numbers" marketing deception does it?

Might the enzymes be more important than the hormones themselves?  The number is important i.e. progesterone, but how the number came to be is more important as it points to the underlying etiology.  Here, the balance of enzymes are found to direct cell line tumor potential.  The enzyme 5alpha-reductase increased production of the 5alpha-pregnanes which increased tumor potential.  In contrast, the enzymes 20alpha-hydrosteroid oxidoreductase and 3alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase increase production of the 4alpha-pregnanes, which decreased tumor potential.

Context, context, context.   In the year 2006, there were 1.5 million adverse events reported directly related to prescription drugs at a cost of 3.5$ billion.  One often hears of the dangers of supplements.  This analysis from 2008 found 275 adverse events reported.  Contrast 1.5 million versus 275 and it really puts into context where the dangers lie.

Very interesting study.  In ER/PR + breast cancer cells, Estradiol and 5alpha-dihydroprogestorone increase the membrane expression of 5alpha-dihydroprogesterone receptors.  This has a pro-growth, pro-metastatic potential.  In contrast, the metabolites 3alpha-dihdroprogesterone and 20alpha-HP inhibit the same membrane receptor expression thus giving an antigrowth, anti-metastatic potential.

As much fanfare that is given to ER/PR + breast cancer, the large percentage of breast cancers are ER/PR -.  Thus, hormonal therapy doesn't work...at least that is how the story goes. This study finds the metabolites of Progesterone to be equally telling.  Two Progesterone metabolites play significant roles in growth versus inhibition of growth.  The metabolite 5alpha-dihydroprogesterone is procarcingenic in in vitro and in vivo studies and the metabolite 3alpha-dihydroprogesterone inhibits the pro growth effects in the same in vitro and in vivo studies.

Meta analysis finds no benefit for Ginkgo biloba for memory in "healthy" individuals.

Combination Ginkgo and Panax ginseng improves memory quality in small study of healthy middle-aged adults.

Interesting animal study finds that the brain can make sex hormones, DHEA and Testosterone in this article, de novo from cholesterol.  This is one mechanism by which the body can adapt to low T.  This also brings to light the effects that low adrenal output can have on T as well.

phthalates are xenoestrogens that is toxic to male reproductive health.

Review of low T, evaluation, and health benefits of physiologic Testosterone replacement.

low physical activity, high BMI and low libido are independent predictors of low Testosterone.

Again, Testosterone and here Estradiol are merely there for libido and sex.  What tunnel vision?!  What about hsCRP?  What about fibrinogen?  What about IL-1beta?  What about TNF-alpha?  These inflammatory cytokines have all been reported to elevate as a result of estrogen production in men.   And PSA?  No mention of it here.   This linear, tunnel vision thinking on hormones has got to stop! The study points out that all clients were using AIs and SERMs irregardless of whether they had elevated estrogens or not.  That is not a well designed study.  One group should have had AI's if elevated estrogens were present and another group should not--this would compare the effects of aromatase activity.  Second, this was simply a retrospective chart review.  Third, a 50% conversion of 34,000 + men is very high when you look at the literature.  Fourth, they point to gynecomastia as a means of negative?  The cardiovascular implications are more significant.  These studies just seem to focus on superficial things.  Fifth, did libido problems exist before?  What were the free levels?   This falls in the paucity of data (2 studies) that point to excessive lowering of estradiol effecting libido and sexual performance.

When you look at PCOS in women, it is really just the early manifestation of Metabolic Syndrome.  PCOS no longer needs to be viewed through the prism of hormones and/or infertility but the means through which disease will walk.

good review of reishi mushroom benefits.