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[–]WatchOutThere 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (7 children)

Great post! I have few questions however; what is wrong with essential oils, soaps, and underwear?

[–]send_nasty_stuffNational Socialist[S] 7 insightful - 2 fun7 insightful - 1 fun8 insightful - 2 fun -  (6 children)

Not all essential oils are the same but there are studies showing lavender is heavily estrogenic (especially if you are breathing it in all day). I believe Dr. Jay has an essential oil write up if you go through his blog archive.

Soaps have perfumes and other chemicals which are endocrine disruptors or xenoestrogenic (mimic estogen). Xenoestrogens soak through your skin and act like estrogen in the body. This is an AWESOME lecture on low test and endocrine disruptors if you have the time.

You can absorb xenoestrogens from micro plastics in water or clothing made of plastics. This is really only dangerous if you have constant exposure all day for years. So a jacket made of synthetic material isn't a problem but tight fitting underwear pressed against your balls all day should be mostly cotton or another natural fabric. Bedding you sleep on all night should be cotton or another natural fabric. Synthetic fabrics and coated materials can off gas. Some shower curtains have been shown to off gas significantly and many materials are coated in formaldehyde which is an endocrine disruptor. You don't have to go crazy and throw all these products out of your life but it might be something you want to slowly evaluate and find replacements. It's a collective effect that's causing chronic low test. All the small exposures add up. Lots of cleaning products off gas as well. I use vinegar as much as I can for cleaning.

[–]Comatoast 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (5 children)

I only saw this on /all/, but would like to chime in regardless. Making your own soap is very simple. Fragrances and colorants aren't necessary at all, it's merely lye mixed into water and fats measured precisely. You can accelerate the soap making process into an hour or so by utilizing a ceramic crockpot to keep heat on the mixture so that it saponifies more quickly.

As far as supplements go, I'm a huge proponent of herbalism when taking into consideration the whole herb along with all of its constituents. It's worth the research if any of you have the time.

[–]send_nasty_stuffNational Socialist[S] 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (4 children)

it's merely lye mixed into water and fats measured precisely

This is true and it's why I still use soap. I try to shop for soaps that are simple lye, water and fat. I believe Kirks castille soap is minimally processed as is some of the olive oil soaps produced in the Levant.

I think the other idea behind reduced soap usage is allowing natural oils to build up on the skin which increases moisture and skin health. People that shower twice a day and use a lot of soap might be over drying their skin leading to the need for skin lotions which then might have estrogenic chemicals and perfumes.

You can accelerate the soap making process into an hour or so by utilizing a ceramic crockpot to keep heat on the mixture so that it saponifies more quickly.

Thank you very much for this tip. I might look into it.

As far as supplements go, I'm a huge proponent of herbalism when taking into consideration the whole herb along with all of its constituents. It's worth the research if any of you have the time.

Define 'herbalism' for me if you will.

[–]Comatoast 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (3 children)

Herbalism being the study and use of herbs for the purpose of managing ailments and making the body more efficient. Ashwagandha in particular is an adaptogenic herb that shows promise in helping the body to manage stress more efficiently via a variety of methods. It's pretty important to do a decent amount of research when looking into them, as there are many that can directly impact hormone levels. Certain herbs can also help regulate hormones as well. The source is important. Banyan Botanicals and Starwest Herbs have pretty decent reputations.

I've actually posted studies here several months ago regarding the effects that pthalates have had over time, particularly on male reproductive systems. I'm happy to see someone else post helpful information that makes things easier for people to adjust. As far as using soap and shampoos go, showering too often is an issue but it's important to consider that microbes are able to build up in warm, moist environments and you can end up with a ferocious case of jock itch if you're not careful with that. The same can happen on the scalp. Unfortunately some people are more prone to scalp infections that can be exacerbated by washing their hair infrequently. Skin ph is important to consider too. Our skin is more on the acidic side, where helpful bacteria thrive.

[–]send_nasty_stuffNational Socialist[S] 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

Ashwagandha in particular is an adaptogenic herb that shows promise in helping the body to manage stress more efficiently

I've actually used this one. More for the supposed testosterone improving effects. Didn't really notice much change. Maybe slightly improved blood flow. Do you have a dosage recommendation and supplier you trust?

It's pretty important to do a decent amount of research when looking into them

Agreed.

The source is important.

This has been my problem with most supplements. I just really can't trust the suppliers enough. It would literally have to be a professor next door that scavenges in the woods and has used the product for years or something similar. That's the level of trust I'd need. I've just read and seen to many horror stories of manufactures including other ingredients or adulterating the product with shit quality control. Seems like lots of herbal products are also poorly dosed (mostly under dosed for how dried out, old and over processed the product is by the time it gets to your door).

you can end up with a ferocious case of jock itch if you're not careful with that.

Yea. Like I said in my post I still use soap almost daily in my groin area. Especially after physical activity.

Side note: What are your thoughts on mushroom products? I watched Paul Stamets on Rogan years ago and he made some lofty claims but seemed genuine.

[–]Comatoast 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

Anything coming from Amazon has the ability to be adulterated, so keep that in mind. Banyan Botanicals, Starwest, and Gaia were recommended to me by a therapist I used to see that doubled as an herbalist. After researching pretty heavily, I discussed with my husband a dosage of 5grams/day of the root powder, and 2 capsuless of a KSM-66 standardized version of Ashwagandha daily with breaks for both on the weekends to stave off tolerance. It helps him to sleep well, and keeps anxiety at bay. As far as herbs that have a direct impact on test levels go, research is all over the place. What may increase free test in a man with diminished levels may increase estrogen in another man. It may be expensive, but you may look into pulling a hormone panel for yourself before a test run of a supplement and then after 3 months to see if there's been changes. It also depends on what you're looking for.

You can use oils and butters to moisturize with after too if your skin ever feels a little taught after. I try to have a moisturizer and then a light oil to help keep the moisture in. My practices may be quite a bit different though since I'm female and nice skin is a big desire for me.

I don't know too much about mushrooms, but it's an area that I would love to research further. I recall in the past seeing some really promising information on Lions Mane (I believe that's the name). There was one that had incredible immune boosting properties and I wish that I could remember more. Look into AHCC.

[–]send_nasty_stuffNational Socialist[S] 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

I recall in the past seeing some really promising information on Lions Mane (I believe that's the name

Lions Mane was also mentioned by Stamets in that JRE episode.

You can use oils and butters to moisturize with after too if your skin ever feels a little taught after

I don't have to moisturize often but I've had luck with emu oil and occasionally I use pure lanolin if I'm hunting/hiking in the winter.

Thanks for the info on the suppliers and dosage.