[Lotus]

So whats the best form to purchase reishi in?
and please when should I add it to my PM program?

I see it in capsules at walmart and walgreens.
Reishi Mycelium (Mushroom) Extract 376 mg
recommended 2 a day.
Thank you .

Hi Elaine, as with any herbs that we purchase for NBE not all brands are created equal lol.

Here's some background info on Reishi:

http://reishi.com/index.htm

I've taken it in a capsule and extract form (extract is my preference), finding the best (most potent) form of Reishi is a good project for someone (BN member) to find. In fact, an updated NBE supplement buying/potency chart or thread is long over due, if there's an interested party feel free, if one is completed I'll even make it a "sticky", if you need the parameters please give me a pm and let's get it done.


Elaine, I believe anti-androgens should be taken 20 minutes prior to PM, the standard time a capsule takes to metabolize. In theory the receptors are set up (so to speak) for binding. That's the way I've always set it up in my program, that's just my opinion though.

Good luck.

[Larana]

I thouhght the reishi is a testosteron blocker,not only DHT,isn't?

Correct. It hits both 5-AR and the androgen receptor.

Thank you the answers.
This is exellent.Doesn't need WP than.If the Reishi=DHT,testosterone blocker
It's enough to this Resihi and PM perhaps a little phytoestrogen..and much food

[Lotus]

I thouhght the reishi is a testosteron blocker,not only DHT,isn't?

Correct. It hits both 5-AR and the androgen receptor.

Thank you the answers.
This is exellent.Doesn't need WP than.If the Reishi=DHT,testosterone blocker
It's enough to this Resihi and PM perhaps a little phytoestrogen..and much food

Larana, you still need WP for the conversion of "free Testosterone", total T Testosterone is still somewhat bio-available, however that free T is what can be converted more than total T. I wouldn't have grown to a D cup on just that logic alone.

The aromatase enzyme can be found in many tissues including gonads, brain, adipose tissue, placenta, blood vessels, skin, and bone, as well as in tissue of endometriosis, uterine fibroids, breast cancer, and endometrial cancer. It is an important factor in sexual development.

Factors known to increase aromatase activity include age, obesity, insulin, gonadotropins, and alcohol. Aromatase activity is decreased by prolactin, anti-Müllerian hormone and the common herbicide glyphosate. Aromatase activity appears to be enhanced in certain estrogen-dependent local tissue next to breast tissue, endometrial cancer, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids.

Aromatase also converts androstenedione (a sex hormone precursor) to the female hormone estrone, another estrogen, although weaker than estradiol.

Aromatase

• There's an enzyme in the bodies of both men and women called aromatase. Its primary action is to produce female sex hormones, or estrogens. It produces them from male sex hormones (androgens) such as testosterone and their precursors.
  

• Aromatase also converts androstenedione (a sex hormone precursor) to the female hormone estrone, another estrogen, although weaker than estradiol.
  

• If you increase the activity of aromatase, you can increase levels of female sex hormones (estradiol, estrone).
  

• If you decrease the activity of aromatase, you can decrease levels of female sex hormones, while increasing relative levels of male sex hormones, e.g. testosterone.
  

• Men's bodies normally contain some level of estrogens, in addition to testosterone and their kind. Likewise, women's bodies contain some level of male androgens including testosterone.
  

• The ratio of male-to-female hormones contributes to our masculinity or femininity. Aromatase is one chemical that can tweak that ratio. It operates the same in both men and women, although an array of compounds can affect its activity.
  

__________________________

In men, testosterone is produced and secreted mainly by the testicles. Starting with cholesterol, testosterone is synthesized within the 500 million Leydig cells inside the testis. These specialized cells make up about 5% of the testis volume. A small amount of testosterone is made from DHEA in specialized areas of the body. This conversion accounts for a very small amount of your total testosterone.

Interestingly, giving a man DHEA at 50mg a day, will not increase his testosterone to acceptable replacement levels, but it will increase his estrogen level. However, a woman taking this dose, will see her testosterone increase.

The pituitary secretes luteinizing hormone (LH) in short bursts to signal the production and release of testosterone. The bursts occur every 60-90 minutes. Releasing LH in this manner maintains the Leydig cell’s sensitivity to LH and maintains the pattern of secretion. Constant stimulation and the Leydig cells will become resistant to the signal.

Men produce between 3mg and 10mg of testosterone per day with 4% being converted to dihydrotesterone (DHT) and about 0.2% being converted to estradiol, an estrogen.

DHT is 3 to 10 times as androgenic (male characteristics) as testosterone. The enzyme 5-alpha-reductase is responsible for this conversion of testosterone to DHT. In the prostate, 95% of testosterone is converted to DHT by 5-alpha-reductase. Specific medications can block this enzyme in the prostate. DHT, along with estrogen, is the contributing factor to an enlarged prostate. Testosterone has a protective benefit to the prostate.

A small percentage, just 0.2%, of testosterone is converted to estradiol by the enzyme aromatase. This may seem insignificant but estradiol is 100 times more potent at the cell receptor site than testosterone. This means that a male needs 100 times more testosterone than estradiol just to have an equal affinity for the receptor. Approximately 80% of estradiol in males is produced via this conversion from testosterone.

The major determining factor in the removal of testosterone from the body are SHBG levels, the individual’s circadian rhythm, amount of blood flow to the liver, genetics, and environmental factors. The clearance of testosterone from the body is reduced with lower SHBG levels and reduced blood flow to the liver.

Beginning around age 35, there is a gradual decrease in testosterone and increases in estrogen and SHBG. The decrease is accelerated and begins earlier with poor health or chronic illness.

Testosterone is transported by binding to SHBG. SHBG is made and secreted by the liver. SHBG binds 70% to 99% of the testosterone in a man’s body. The remaining 1% to 30% is either bound to other proteins or free to move into tissues resulting in an effect on the cell. The higher the SHBG concentration, the lower the amount of free testosterone available to the body. SHBG concentration is affected by testosterone levels, estrogen levels, liver disease, obesity, and genetics. Once bound to these proteins, the testosterone is rendered “inactive” and is taken to the liver for removal from the body.

Testosterone peaks for men in the early morning and slowly declines throughout the day with a low in mid-afternoon only to rise slightly again in the evening.

__________________________________


There is another enzyme that is also converted by aromatase called 5α-reductase, also known as 3-oxo-5α-steroid 4-dehydrogenases, are enzymes involved in steroid metabolism. They participate in 3 metabolic pathways: bile acid biosynthesis, androgen and estrogen metabolism, and prostate cancer. There are three isoenzymes of 5-alpha reductase, which vary in different tissues with age.

5α-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) are a class of drugs with antiandrogen effects, used primarily in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenic alopecia.

These agents inhibit the enzyme 5α-reductase, which is involved in the metabolic transformations of a variety of endogenous steroids. 5α-reductase inhibition is most known for preventing conversion of testosterone, the major androgen sex hormone, to the more potent dihydrotestosterone (DHT), in androgen-associated disorders.

[Larana]

I thouhght the reishi is a testosteron blocker,not only DHT,isn't?

Correct. It hits both 5-AR and the androgen receptor.

Thank you the answers.
This is exellent.Doesn't need WP than.If the Reishi=DHT,testosterone blocker
It's enough to this Resihi and PM perhaps a little phytoestrogen..and much food

Larana, you still need WP for the conversion of "free Testosterone", total T Testosterone is still somewhat bio-available, however that free T is what can be converted more than total T. I wouldn't have grown to a D cup on just that logic alone.

The aromatase enzyme can be found in many tissues including gonads, brain, adipose tissue, placenta, blood vessels, skin, and bone, as well as in tissue of endometriosis, uterine fibroids, breast cancer, and endometrial cancer. It is an important factor in sexual development.

Factors known to increase aromatase activity include age, obesity, insulin, gonadotropins, and alcohol. Aromatase activity is decreased by prolactin, anti-Müllerian hormone and the common herbicide glyphosate. Aromatase activity appears to be enhanced in certain estrogen-dependent local tissue next to breast tissue, endometrial cancer, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids.

Aromatase also converts androstenedione (a sex hormone precursor) to the female hormone estrone, another estrogen, although weaker than estradiol.

Aromatase

• There's an enzyme in the bodies of both men and women called aromatase. Its primary action is to produce female sex hormones, or estrogens. It produces them from male sex hormones (androgens) such as testosterone and their precursors.
  

• Aromatase also converts androstenedione (a sex hormone precursor) to the female hormone estrone, another estrogen, although weaker than estradiol.
  

• If you increase the activity of aromatase, you can increase levels of female sex hormones (estradiol, estrone).
  

• If you decrease the activity of aromatase, you can decrease levels of female sex hormones, while increasing relative levels of male sex hormones, e.g. testosterone.
  

• Men's bodies normally contain some level of estrogens, in addition to testosterone and their kind. Likewise, women's bodies contain some level of male androgens including testosterone.
  

• The ratio of male-to-female hormones contributes to our masculinity or femininity. Aromatase is one chemical that can tweak that ratio. It operates the same in both men and women, although an array of compounds can affect its activity.
  

__________________________

In men, testosterone is produced and secreted mainly by the testicles. Starting with cholesterol, testosterone is synthesized within the 500 million Leydig cells inside the testis. These specialized cells make up about 5% of the testis volume. A small amount of testosterone is made from DHEA in specialized areas of the body. This conversion accounts for a very small amount of your total testosterone.

Interestingly, giving a man DHEA at 50mg a day, will not increase his testosterone to acceptable replacement levels, but it will increase his estrogen level. However, a woman taking this dose, will see her testosterone increase.

The pituitary secretes luteinizing hormone (LH) in short bursts to signal the production and release of testosterone. The bursts occur every 60-90 minutes. Releasing LH in this manner maintains the Leydig cell’s sensitivity to LH and maintains the pattern of secretion. Constant stimulation and the Leydig cells will become resistant to the signal.

Men produce between 3mg and 10mg of testosterone per day with 4% being converted to dihydrotesterone (DHT) and about 0.2% being converted to estradiol, an estrogen.

DHT is 3 to 10 times as androgenic (male characteristics) as testosterone. The enzyme 5-alpha-reductase is responsible for this conversion of testosterone to DHT. In the prostate, 95% of testosterone is converted to DHT by 5-alpha-reductase. Specific medications can block this enzyme in the prostate. DHT, along with estrogen, is the contributing factor to an enlarged prostate. Testosterone has a protective benefit to the prostate.

A small percentage, just 0.2%, of testosterone is converted to estradiol by the enzyme aromatase. This may seem insignificant but estradiol is 100 times more potent at the cell receptor site than testosterone. This means that a male needs 100 times more testosterone than estradiol just to have an equal affinity for the receptor. Approximately 80% of estradiol in males is produced via this conversion from testosterone.

The major determining factor in the removal of testosterone from the body are SHBG levels, the individual’s circadian rhythm, amount of blood flow to the liver, genetics, and environmental factors. The clearance of testosterone from the body is reduced with lower SHBG levels and reduced blood flow to the liver.

Beginning around age 35, there is a gradual decrease in testosterone and increases in estrogen and SHBG. The decrease is accelerated and begins earlier with poor health or chronic illness.

Testosterone is transported by binding to SHBG. SHBG is made and secreted by the liver. SHBG binds 70% to 99% of the testosterone in a man’s body. The remaining 1% to 30% is either bound to other proteins or free to move into tissues resulting in an effect on the cell. The higher the SHBG concentration, the lower the amount of free testosterone available to the body. SHBG concentration is affected by testosterone levels, estrogen levels, liver disease, obesity, and genetics. Once bound to these proteins, the testosterone is rendered “inactive” and is taken to the liver for removal from the body.

Testosterone peaks for men in the early morning and slowly declines throughout the day with a low in mid-afternoon only to rise slightly again in the evening.

__________________________________


There is another enzyme that is also converted by aromatase called 5α-reductase, also known as 3-oxo-5α-steroid 4-dehydrogenases, are enzymes involved in steroid metabolism. They participate in 3 metabolic pathways: bile acid biosynthesis, androgen and estrogen metabolism, and prostate cancer. There are three isoenzymes of 5-alpha reductase, which vary in different tissues with age.

5α-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) are a class of drugs with antiandrogen effects, used primarily in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenic alopecia.

These agents inhibit the enzyme 5α-reductase, which is involved in the metabolic transformations of a variety of endogenous steroids. 5α-reductase inhibition is most known for preventing conversion of testosterone, the major androgen sex hormone, to the more potent dihydrotestosterone (DHT), in androgen-associated disorders.

I understand now "mostly" Finally.When i blocked the testosterone in the testicles. The little synthetic etrogen will prevail.

Well PM 1500,Reishi 1800,wp tinctures,
Does it need something to this?

[elainecd]

Thank you Lotus for all the info.
I'm going to start the Resihi in a couple weeks after my full month of PM.

[Holmes12]

Right got some Swanson's Reishi on the way, see how it works for me.

[Lotus]

Thank you Lotus for all the info.
I'm going to start the Resihi in a couple weeks after my full month of PM.

Hi elaine, (your welcome),

You'll still need an estrogenic source along with the Reishi, also WP to help convert that free T to estrogen, nipple stimulation for the release of prolactin and a progesterone source to balance the E. Here's two herbs as an example:

Fenugreek-Prolactin stimulate, increases production of estrogen, phytoestrogen, adaptogen

Shatavari-Phytoestrogen, normalizes estrogen levels, prolactin source, adaptogen

If a single supplement/med existed that covers all the bases we'd now about it already, unfortunately it doesn't exist (it's not in hrt either). NBE is the process of using a combination of techniques, I don't subscribe to the KISS method for NBE, (other things in life sure) simply because it doesn't cover all the hormones and or the enzymes/metabolic reactions needed to stimulate breast/tissue growth. Is NBE complicated?, no not really. What complicates NBE comes from mis-information, lack of personal research to sort fact from fiction.

Right got some Swanson's Reishi on the way, see how it works for me.

Good luck Holmes (how's your DW doing?)

[Robbin]

Lotus,
As always very helpful I have been taking pm for over 2 years now I swear my pants and underware does not fit right anymore. It could be mind over matter.

[Lotus]

I can't remember if we've ever shown this process:

[Lotus]

In this illustration it shows the sequence of supplement metabolism.