The internet is pitching aromatase-blocking diets and supplements as a way to fight estrogen

dominance in men. So, do they work? And is this even a real problem? Today, we're separating

the fact from the fiction.

Hello, I'm Monica Reinagle, and you are listening to The Nutrition Diva podcast, a show where we take a closer look at nutrition news, research, and trends, and answer your food and nutrition questions.

And today's episode was inspired by an email from a listener who stumbled across some online advice warning about an enzyme called aromatase. This enzyme,

the source claimed, turns testosterone into estrogen, and it might be to blame for all sorts of

problems, which they, of course,

had a plan to fix with diet and supplements. So my listener dismissed all of this as Hocum at first,

but then doing more research came across some more reputable sources, suggesting that foods

like cruciferous vegetables,

mushrooms, and red grapes could help keep aromatase in check. So now he's wondering,

is there anything to this? And as is so often the case, there actually is a kernel of truth here.

However, it has been wrapped in several layers

of misinterpretation or distortion. So let's get in there and sort fact from fiction.

Aromatase is an enzyme, and it does convert testosterone into estrogen. It's produced by both men

and women by a variety of organs and tissues. It's produced by both men and women by a variety of organs

and tissues, including the ovaries in women, the testes in men, as well as in the brain and fat

tissue. In fact, after menopause, fat tissue becomes the primary site of aromatase activity and estrogen

production in women. And I want you to tuck that fact away for now. It's going to be important

later. So the ability to aromatize testosterone into estrogen is important for both men and women.

Estrogen is central to women's reproductive health, of course, butrogen is central to women's reproductive health, of course,

but estrogen also supports healthy bones, brain function,

...