Men, it’s true: At this very moment, estrogen is running through your body.

But don’t panic. It’s supposed to be there—a little of it, anyway. A balanced ratio of estrogen to testosterone is actually good for your heart, bones, and, yes, your sex life, too.

Of course, as a man, you don’t want to have high estrogen levels—period. A certain amount of estrogen is necessary and important in males, since a little is needed to maintain a healthy natural production of testosterone.

Too Much of a Good Thing
However, too much estrogen can cause an array of undesirable effects in men. High estrogen levels can lead to low testosterone—definitely not something most men would welcome. Extra estrogen also can compromise a man’s ability to build and maintain muscle mass. What muscles he does have will likely be covered up due to water retention, and by the extra fat stores he’s accumulated—all thanks to that extra estrogen. If that weren’t bad enough, breast development could occur.

Normal aging lowers testosterone levels and raises estrogen levels, which is why many aging men seek hormone therapy to boost testosterone levels. In bodybuilding, steroid use is typically to blame for abnormally high estrogen.

Manufacturers have developed a variety of dietary supplements to help prevent excessively high estrogen, while protecting or even enhancing testosterone production. Here are a few:

ErgoPharm’s 6-OXO
The active ingredient in ErgoPharm’s 6-OXO is known scientifically as 3;6;17 androstenetrione, an aromatase inhibitor. Aromatase converts testosterone to estrogen—not what you want. So by “inhibiting” aromatase, 6-OXO blocks its ability to make more estrogen, and safeguards testosterone levels.

MHP’s T-Bomb II
MHP has formulated T-Bomb II to increase your body’s natural ability to raise testosterone levels, while keeping estrogen in check. The blend of herbs in its patent-pending Optimone-5 works in five ways:

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  Tribulus terrestris stimulates your pituitary gland to produce luteinizing hormone and the release of testosterone.

  
  


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  Stinging nettle prevents sex hormone-binding globulin from binding to testosterone, essentially making it unavailable for your body to use. This allows for more available testosterone, and possibly an increase in sex drive.

  
  


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  Chrysin works as a natural aromatase inhibitor, blocking the conversion of testosterone to estrogen.

  
  


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  Compounds block receptors where estrogen could attach and exert its effects.

  
  


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  The blend aims to lower the conversion of testosterone to DHT, the hormone responsible for nasty testosterone side effects such as baldness and acne.

  
  

Advanced Muscle Science’s Arom-X
Arom-X from Advanced Muscle Science contains a new aromatase inhibitor, 3a-Hydroxyetioallocholan Ethyl Ester, which may also boost libido and complements the other aromatase-blocking compound in the formula—1,4,6 etioallocholan-dione, also known as ATD.

Words of Warning
If you have a history of any prostate health issues or are under medical care for any reason, talk with your doctor before taking any substances that may alter hormone levels. Even if you’re healthy, don’t take more than the recommended dose, and take the supplement only for the recommended amount of time.