triton2
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It's well known, both from a theorical point of view (1,2,3) and from a practical (4) and empirical (gynecomastia anecdotal reports) point of view, that using a 5AR blocker such as finasteride or dutasteride can lead to problems related to a highly estrogenic environment, such as gynecomastia.
In order to avoid this nasty side effect there have been some discussions about which is the best anti-estrogen to use. On the one hand we have SERMs and phytoestrogens, the former being quite dangerous for long term use, due to ocular damage issues, the latter lacking research to show clearly whether they are proestrogenic or antiestrogenic in males, on the other we have aromatase inhibitors, which are VERY expensive and difficult to obtain legally. While there's a lack in general consensus I think that the best option would be that of using an AI (Aromatase Blocker) provided we don't take too much (so that we don't risk our estrogen levels going below the physiological line) and money and availability are not a problem.
However, nature is very smart and red grapes might provide us with a solution, so that we don't have to spend a lot of money or risking buying fake anastrozole. Several studies have demonstrated that procyanidin B dimers in grape seeds have strong supressive properties on aromatase enzyme:
http://www.cbcrp.org/research/PageGrant ... ant_id=281
Some quotes:
"Grape juice has been found to suppress breast cancer cell growth by preventing the synthesis of the female hormone estrogen"
"Like the known specific aromatase inhibitor, Letrozole, the active B dimer fraction from red wine (administered by gavage) is a potent blocker of estrogen biosynthesis."
"These in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that procyanidin B dimers in red wine and grape seeds could be used as chemopreventive agents against breast cancer by suppressing in situ estrogen biosynthesis."
"The tumors of mice treated with an extract enriched with procyanidin B dimers showed a minimal increase in apoptotic cells compared with tumors of control mice, suggesting that the reduction in tumor growth in the treated mice was due to inhibition of aromatase and not due to a non-specific cytotoxic effect. Further, results from the feeding experiments indicate that these procyanidin B dimers are orally active and maintain their activity after ingestion. "
"A Phase I chemoprevention trial to evaluate the anti-aromatase activity of grape seed extract in postmenopausal women has been initiated at the City of Hope. The design and progress of this clinical trial will be discussed."
1: J Clin Invest. 1984 Dec;74(6):2272-8.
Antiestrogenic action of dihydrotestosterone in mouse breast. Competition with estradiol for binding to the estrogen receptor.
2:Attenuation of Estrogenic Effects by Dihydrotestosterone in the Pig Uterus Is Associated with Downregulation of the Estrogen Receptors1
Horacio Cárdenas2 and William F. Pope
3:Testosterone inhibits estrogen-induced mammary epithelial proliferation and suppresses estrogen receptor expression
JIAN ZHOU, SIU NG, O. ADESANYA-FAMUIYA, KRISTIN ANDERSON and CAROLYN A. BONDY1
4:Gynecomastia: effect of prolonged treatment with dihydrotestosterone by the percutaneous route
Turk J Pediatr. 1989 Apr-Jun;31(2):123-6.
The incidence of pubertal gynecomastia in boys living in the Ankara region.
Guvenc H, Yurdakok M, Kinik E, Buyukgebiz A.
The incidence of pubertal gynecomastia was determined in 646 Turkish boys in Ankara. A marked increase in the incidence was observed at Pubertal Stage 4 (60.2%) and age 14 years (61.1%). The incidence of gynecomastia during puberty at various pubertal stages and ages was 34.6%. Although the incidence of unilateral gynecomastia was 19.6%; there was no difference between right or left involvement.
