Antioxidants for safer testosterone supplementation - Letters to the Editor

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Feb-March, 2002

In 2000, I had an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) with spectroscopic analysis of the prostate. It 'showed no detectable cancer throughout the entire prostate (much better than a biopsy!). This gave me courage for my next action. I decided to experiment with my regimen to limit estradiol and estrone. I stopped taking the aromatase and 5 alpha reductase inhibitors, but I continued the full set of antioxidants.

After about four months (November 2000), the saliva test showed testosterone at 550 pg/mi, estracliol at 0.5 pg/ml and estrone at 1.9 pg/ml. I was pleasantly surprised that estradiol had not risen at all, and that estrone had risen by only a small amount. This experiment indicated that the oxidation reactions of testosterone to estradiol and androstenedione to estrone were inhibited by the array of antioxidants. Furthermore, since the testosterone level remained high, it was probable that the oxidation of testosterone to androstenedione was also inhibited by the antioxidants.

My current protocol emphasizes antioxidants, but to be more secure, I also take the aromatization inhibitors and the 5 alpha reductase inhibitor. In addition, I have stepped up the use of detoxication nutrients because of the unprecedented dangers of environmental estrogen mimics.

Controlling Eicosanoids is a Prime Requisite for Safe Testosterone Supplementation

Hypothalamic sensitivity (necessary for all hormone production) is powered by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) which is under eicosanoid control. The hormone glucagon promotes positive eicosanoids, while excess insulin produces negative eicosanoids. The control of glucagon and insulin is in the diet. Based on what Barry Sears, PhD teaches us in his book The Antiaging Zone, implementing the production of positive eicosanoids is a prime requisite for a beneficial testosterone supplementation program. The main factors that promote glucagon dominance are:

* Hypocaloric diet (eat slightly less calories than used -- calorie restriction)

* Diet should be 30% protein (mainly cold water ocean fish), 30% fat (cod liver oil and olive oil), and 40% complex carbohydrates -- no sugar or high glycemic foods -- no hydrogenated oils including margarine -- lots of fiber to slow the digestion process and to promote detoxication.

The main factors that promote insulin dominance are:

* Hypercaloric diet (eating more calories than used -- gaining weight)

* Diet that is high in carbohydrates, high in sugar, high in other high glycemic foods (simple carbohydrates), and low in fiber.

Stanford Field

20730 Celeste Circle

Cupertino, California 95014 USA

408-255-1784