Cardio vs weight training: Which is healthier? Which burns fat more efficient? (Part 10)

In my last post, I wrote about steroidal hormones such as androgens and estrogens, how these hormones affects high mitochondrial capacity and high energy turnover, touched a bit on cholesterol and today, I intend to continue discuss about androgens, specifically DHT, as well as how our body converts testosterone to estrogens hormones. 

As noted, the most important anabolic steroid hormones are androgens, including testosterone. The biosynthesis of these hormones is constantly regulated through a tight negative-feedback control. Now, has anyone heard of a specific type of hormone called luteinizing hormones(LH)? These hormones are secreted by your pituitary gland and the hypothalamus, and are directly affected by levels of circulating sex hormones. 

A high level of androgens inhibits LH secretion, while low levels of androgens signal the hypothalamus to elevate another type of hormone called gonadotropin releasing hormone. This, in turn, increases the pituitary's secretion of LH and elevation of androgens through drugs or precursor pills such as 'prohormones' which are marketed by sports nutrition industry, may adversely affect the body's natural hormonal regulation mechanism, eventually shattering its ability to produce these hormones on its own. 

Now, people who take androgen boosters or drugs without medical supervision should be careful to cycle and monitor the amount and intervals so as to prevent a steroidal decline. To whom reading this right now, DO take note and take safety precautious. 

Have I mention in previous post that the most anabolic steroid hormones are male androgens? Many people suffer from low levels of androgens because of wrong diet, drug abuse, chemical toxicity, overtraining or aging. Testosterone is regarded as the most anabolic male steroid hormone. But, let me introduce to you a hormone called DHT (dehydrotestosterone), another type of androgen. 

Testosterone is responsible for many critical functions, the most predominant of which are the defining and developing of male characteristic features, including sexual maturation and fertility. However, testosterone anabolic actions and its related sexual desire and aggression are significantly affected by other androgens. Androgens, can typically convert from one form to another, from precursors into hormones. 

DHT, is the most potent male steroid hjormone. In fact, its actions are ten times more stronger than those induced by testosterone. DHT, has been labeled the 'bad testosterone', due to its allegedly adverse affect on the prostate. Nevertheless, there is emerging evidence that DHT may not be the real contributign factor to prostate enlargement, but rather the female hormone estrogen. When estrogen is present in excess in a male, it has been shown to cause ferminization of the body and metabolic disorders including enlargement of the prostate. 

Any medication, drugs or substance that inhibits the conversion of testosterone into DHT, such as hair loss and prostate related drugs, may suppress DHT's anabolic actions, thereby affecting libido and sexual performance. In a nutshell, testosterone and DHT play critical roles in growth, potency and fertility, but when it comes down to muscular development, DHT rules.

Let's talk a bit about every man's nightmare. No, I'm not talking about losing your favorite luxury car or Iphone mobile, but I'm referring to conversion of testosterone to estrogen. Growing man boobs! Sounds familiar? Well, this is only one of the aromatizing affect of the hormone conversion. Aromatizing, is about to become widely considered as one of the most horrific nightmares of modern men. The conversion of testosterone to estrogen via a chemical called 'aromatizing' is a natural occurrence that increases with aging.

What about young people in modern era? Kids, teenagers and young adults are suffering from excess of estrogen levels. The effects on young adults today are staggering. We have males in their 20's and 30's developing man boobs, compared with few decades ago. What went wrong? Why does this happen?

The enzyme that converts androgens to estrogens, is stimulated by certain industrial chemicals that have similiar structure to the female hormone estrogen. These chemicals are commonly found in the food we eat, the water we drink, and the products we use. Remember in earlier post I did mention about my male colleague microwaving his food in plastic tupperware? Yes, this is one of the examples how we could get these estrogen mimickers into our body.

To avoid over expression of this aromatizing enzyme, it is important to understand how it works. This enzyme is responsible for many undesirable estrogen related actions that cause adverse feminization of men. This enzyme is actually a complex of enzymes, and not just one, that is largely produced by adipose tissue. Normally, it plays a critical role in the female's body, supporting optimum estrogen levels.

In females, luteinizing hormone binds to cells in the ovary. where it stimulates the synthesis of the androstendione and testosterone. Only then, does an additional enzyme complex called aromatase, finally covert androgens into estrogens.

Bear in mind, certain conditions such as overly high levels of androgens due to steroid drug abuse, a congested liver, or obesity, can lead to over expression of this enzyme complex, resulting in stubborn fat gain, usually around the belly and chest, and a decline in anabolic androgen level, a condition that eventually inhibits muscle growth.

Please do take note that aromatase over activity can also devastate the female's body, causing hormonal disorders, disease and cancer. Liver detoxification and reduction in body fat are probably the most beneficial methods for encouraging anti aromatase activity. Both methods can also help maximize steroid hormone utilization and enhance their anabolic actions. Nonetheless, as I've mentioned tons of times in my earlier posts, it is extremely important, to eliminate aromatase promoting substances from the diet including pesticides, herbicides, plastic derivatives such as plastic containers or tupperwares, and estrogenic dietary compounds such as those found in soybean, clover, licorice and hops in beer.

Question is, are there any compounds or foods that can inhibit or have anti aromatase nutrients? The answer is YES. To name a few, there are garlic, onion, passion flower, chomomile, grass fed dairy, turmeric, raw nuts and seeds, omega 3 oils, flaxseed, hempseed and etc. In the next couple of chapters, I will write about major stress hormones cortisol, aldosterone and of course, workout routines. I will discuss the types of workouts, which can produce effective muscle growth and induce maximum anabolic state.