I've mentioned this problem in past newsletters, so if you're a long
time reader, you might know a bit about this topic... but I want to
explain how this works a bit more and how serious the problem is these
days...
The problem I'm going to describe here can actually cause
"feminization" issues in men (more chest fat, reduced testosterone,
etc), but can also cause hormonal disorders in women too. And it also
causes the other problem that everybody hates...more stubborn abdominal
fat.
Let's start with the enzyme I mentioned in the headline...
it's called aromatase enzyme in your body. Aromatase is the enzyme
responsible for converting androgens to estrogens in your body. This is
a normal process and increases with aging in your body.
Unfortunately,
we are being exposed in this modern world to certain chemicals (such as
pesticides, plastics, petro-chemicals, and other chemicals in our food
and water) that over-stimulate the actions of aromatase, thereby causing
hormone imbalances for both men and women. These aromatase-stimulating
chemicals can cause excessively high estrogen levels in men (with
accompanying issues of body fat, chest fat, and feminization), and other
estrogen-dominance issues for women too.
The easy way to think
about it is that we want to minimize our exposure to aromatase-promoting
chemicals and maximize our intake of anti-aromatase compounds found in
certain foods, herbs, spices, etc.
Expert scientist and author, Ori Hofmekler, in his book "Maximum Muscle, Minimum Fat" states: "...it
is critically important to eliminate aromatase-promoting substances
from the diet including pesticides, herbicides, plastic derivatives
(particularly from soft, cloudy or opaque plastic containers), and
estrogenic dietary compounds such as those found in soy, clover,
licorice, and hops (in beer)"
Sorry guys about the bad news
about beer... but that explains the "beer bellies" you see from heavy
beer drinkers. Just another reason to choose wine or another liquor if
you choose to drink.
Mr. Hofmekler continues... "There is
growing evidence that certain compounds in food, herbs, and oils can
inhibit aromatase activity. Notable natural sources for anti-aromatase
nutrients are garlic, onion, passion flower, chamomile, grass-fed dairy,
turmeric, raw nuts and seeds, and omega-3 oils from fish, flaxseed, and
hempseed".
There you go... protect yourself from these
harmful effects and reduce your stubborn fat by loading up daily on the
anti-aromatase nutrients listed above!
For the men reading this,
make sure to also read this page below for 6 more herbs/nutrients that
can protect your manhood, and protect against feminization:
6 obscure herbs and nutrients that protect your manhood
Even for the ladies reading this, you might want to check that out for your husband or boyfriend!
PS -- if you liked todays article, please fwd this email on to any of your friends, family, or co-workers that would enjoy it.
Mike Geary
Certified Nutrition Specialist
Certified Personal Trainer