Mucuna Pruriens Estrogen
Written by Ben Bunting: BA, PGCert. (Sport & Exercise Nutrition) // British Army Physical Training Instructor // S&C Coach.
--
Mucuna pruriens, also known as velvet bean or monkey tamarind, grows in tropical regions throughout Africa and Asia.
It is referred to as "pruriens" because the orange hairs that cover its seed pods and young foliage itch and cause irritation of the skin.
This adaptogenic herb is revered for its ability to nourish the nervous system, enhance libido and improve fertility.
It is especially renowned for its powerful levodopa (L-dopa) content, which has been shown to raise the body’s levels of dopamine, a key neurotransmitter that is essential for motivation and mood regulation.
Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter in the brain that regulates mood, cognitive functioning and motivation.
Low levels of dopamine can cause a number of problems including depression and anxiety. In Parkinson’s disease, dopamine is reduced in the parts of the brain that regulate emotions and memory, which can lead to a lack of motivation.
Androgen balance
Testosterone
As a hormone, testosterone affects the endocrine system by stimulating sex drive (libido), muscle mass and strength, bone density and fat distribution. It also helps to regulate blood levels of red blood cells and sperm.
Among other things, it protects nerve cells and reduces the buildup of harmful amyloid-beta protein in the brain. It also inhibits oxidative stress and decreases inflammation, as well as speeding up regeneration of nerve cells.
It also acts as a nutritive tonic for the nervous system, supporting healthy sexual energy and improving fertility. It also promotes a sense of well-being, uplifts mood and supports emotional health.
The seeds of mucuna pruriens are rich in levodopa, which is a natural precursor to dopamine. L-dopa is a neurotransmitter that boosts the mood, improves sleep and can increase motivation.
Some studies suggest that mucuna pruriens may help men produce healthy sperm and enhance their sperm quality. However, it’s still unclear how mucuna pruriens works in the body to do these things.
Testosterone levels in men decline naturally as they age. This process is sometimes referred to as male menopause, or andropause.
Estrogen
Many factors can contribute to a rise in estrogen in men, such as diet and alcohol consumption.
One of the ways in which estrogen can be increased is by aromatase, an enzyme that can convert testosterone into estradiol. In men, fat tissue is the main site of aromatase.
Obese men, who are more likely to have a large number of fat cells centrally located in their abdomens, are particularly susceptible to this type of rise in estrogen.
High estrogen can promote male breast enlargement (gynecomastia) and increase the risk of heart disease, as it increases cholesterol levels in the blood and reduces pituitary signals that normally raise testosterone.
The occurrence of low-T in men is commonly associated with weight gain and obesity, but there are also other hormonal changes that lead to this condition.
These include a decrease in the secretion of GnRH, which normally raises testosterone production and release from the testicles. Likewise, lower levels of FSH can also cause testosterone suppression.
In a small clinical trial of infertile men, mucuna pruriens decreased prolactin and FSH (the two female hormones) in infertile men. These hormones are responsible for the reproductive cycle.
L-Dopa
The seeds of Mucuna pruriens, also known as “the cowhage” or “velvet bean” (atmagupta in India) contain L-dopa, a substance that is used to treat Parkinson's disease.
It's an amino acid that is a precursor to dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in coordinating movements and regulating moods.
The seeds are an excellent source of nutrition, containing high levels of protein, essential fatty acids and starch. They're also rich in folic acid, magnesium and zinc.
Throughout its range of uses, Mucuna pruriens has long been viewed as a rejuvenating herb that supports a balanced nervous system. Its nourishing properties have been praised in Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medical system.
However, the plant has a number of side effects that should be considered before taking it. These include gastrointestinal symptoms and a heightened risk of psychosis.
As an added precaution, if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not take Mucuna pruriens. It's also important to note that this herb can interfere with some prescription drugs.
Although the main phenolic compound in Mucuna pruriens seeds is L-dopa, it contains other compounds that can act as neuroprotective agents. This includes a variety of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-
Another interesting aspect of mucuna pruriens is that it has a positive effect on estrogen and testosterone levels in infertile men. This is because mucuna pruriens naturally contains L-DOPA, which can affect the levels of these hormones in the body.
Similarly, when mucuna pruriens is taken before an exercise session, it can help to boost the levels of testosterone in athletes. This is because mucuna Pruriens can help to prevent prolactin from reducing the level of testosterone in the body.
The seeds of Mucuna pruriens have long been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for diseases including parkinson's.
In fact, it has been shown that Mucuna pruriens can significantly reduce the severity of movement disorders in Parkinson's patients.
Its anti-parkinson and neuroprotective effects are believed to be related to its anti-oxidant activity, which scavenges DPPH radicals and reactive oxygen species.
Prolactin
Prolactin is produced in the pituitary gland, which sits at the base of the brain and helps regulate hormones. It's a major factor in the menstrual cycle and breast development in women, as well as sperm production in men.
Normal blood levels of prolactin are 4-23 ng/mL (mcg/L) in adult nonpregnant women and 3-15 ng/mL in men. They peak during sleep, and can increase or decrease with stress and other factors.
High prolactin levels can affect your fertility by suppressing ovulation and causing a change in your menstrual cycle.
These symptoms are called hyperprolactinemia. They may also cause pain or discomfort during penetrative sex, as well as vaginal dryness and a lower libido.
In pre-menopausal women, high levels of prolactin can interrupt the normal production of estrogen and progesterone, resulting in irregular or complete cessation of periods (amenorrhea).
It may also cause breast enlargement and milk production or discharge (galactorrhea).
If you have prolactin problems, your doctor will test your prolactin levels to find out what's causing them. Your doctor will use a simple blood test to measure prolactin. If your prolactin is too high, you will need medicine to bring it down.
The most common cause of high prolactin is a prolactinoma tumor in the pituitary gland. Treatment with mucuna pruriens tablets can help shrink these tumors and return prolactin levels to normal.
Your doctor will also check your other hormones to make sure they're working properly. Your doctor may ask you to have a magnetic resonance imaging scan of your brain to look for a prolactinoma tumor.
If your doctor finds that you have a prolactinoma, he will treat the tumor with mucuna pruriens pills.
The medication can usually return your prolactin levels to normal within a few weeks. Once your prolactin levels are back to normal, your menstrual cycles should return and your sex drive and fertility should improve.
Cortisol
Cortisol is a steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that are located atop your kidneys. It's a key part of the body's stress response system, which signals your blood pressure to rise and your heart rate to speed up.
Too much cortisol can have a negative effect on testosterone production.
This stress response is designed to help your body fight off a serious threat, such as an attack or a car crash. It also regulates your metabolism, your immune system and your blood sugar levels.
When your body is in a stressful situation, it sends signals to your hypothalamus and pituitary gland to boost your cortisol level.
These messages are mainly triggered by a perceived threat, but they can also be caused by other things, like meeting deadlines at work or getting stuck in traffic.
The stress response is self-limiting and your body can return to its normal level once the threat has passed. But prolonged stress can cause your adrenal glands to become overworked, causing a condition called Addison's disease.
As a result, your adrenal glands can begin to produce too much cortisol, which can lead to problems such as low energy and irritability.
Fortunately, there are supplements available that can help your body regulate its stress levels so you don't experience symptoms such as high blood pressure and heart palpitations.
One herb that can help your body control its stress responses is Mucuna pruriens. Its seeds are known to contain L-dopa, a precursor to dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps coordinate the movement of your body and brain.
It has been shown to be helpful for menopause and menstrual problems such as hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue and sleep difficulties.
It is also thought to reduce the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and may help with male infertility, nervous system disorders and other issues related to the aging process.
It's important to note that taking mucuna pruriens can cause some side effects, including abdominal pain and gas. .
Dosage
Mucuna pruriens doses typically vary depending on the desired goal. The recommended dosage for treating Parkinson's disease is 30g per day, while 100-200mg per day works well for depression and a higher dosage of 500-1,000mg per day can increase testosterone levels.
Studies have also found that mucuna pruriens can significantly increase testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) in infertile men.
Those that took 5g of mucuna seed powder daily for three months saw a significant increase in their levels.
Mucuna pruriens has also been shown to reduce the unspecific generation of reactive oxygen species, which is believed to have a positive effect on male sperm health and fertility.
This is because mucuna pruriens can increase cellular energy and antioxidant activity.
Additionally, mucuna pruriens can also help to increase sperm quality and concentration.
This makes it an effective treatment for infertility in men. In addition to this, mucuna pruriens is also thought to boost libido and stimulate the sex drive.
Conclusion
A nutritive tonic and adaptogen, mucuna pruriens (also known as kapikacchu) supports healthy sexual energy and tone, while nourishing the nervous system.
It is also widely used for its antidepressant properties and as an aphrodisiac for both men and women.
It is also a natural source of levodopa, a precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine. It can be taken as a supplement or added to your diet.
Mucuna pruriens has been studied for its ability to reduce symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
In a study of 60 people, mucuna pruriens powder decreased symptoms better than standard levodopa treatment.
It lowers stress in infertile men. Studies have shown that mucuna pruriens seed powder may reduce psychological stress and cortisol levels in infertile men, which may improve their chances of getting pregnant.
Mucuna pruriens is often used by bodybuilders to increase testosterone and enhance muscle growth by lowering prolactin.
It’s also been shown to reduce inflammation and improve immune function in people with chronic illnesses.
