Originally Posted by
dado potato
The Livestrong.com website has articles on "anti-estrogenic" and "anti-androgenic" diets. As I understand, if a person wanted a diet that would raise testosterone (T) and lower estradiol (E2) … (the healthy liver determines the ultimate balance in the body) … they would opt for anti-estrogenic foods:
wild-caught FISH
aged cheese
whole grains
nuts and seeds (but avoid walnuts and flax seeds)
olives
beans
Livestrong did not mention red meat, and I wonder if it might be anti-estrogenic as well. I have seen claims that red meat not only boosts T, but supplies zinc, which is good for blood circulation, and higher levels of nitric oxide in the blood, which is the stuff of "male enhancement".
Mind you, "male enhancement" can be a cringe-worthy concept. And really there are all sorts of potential partners, including those who would say, "Give me a man who reads!" <wink>
It is possible to get blood tested by labs and keep track of T and E2 levels, and compare one's own hormone levels to the average range for men or women in one's age group. I am not passing a judgement: I like the idea of people being who they are, and becoming whoever they desire to be. Diet choices may be part of the process.
By the same token, a person might decide to change his or her diet to increase E2 and reduce T. (And a masculine-insecure peer group might shame a guy for his diet choices or any observable feminine traits). I imagine that some men a few months into a vegan diet may have consumed a significant amount of anti-androgenic foods, especially soy products.