I heard something about flax (seed, oil) containing something called linins (sp?) that act as estrogens, or something like that. Does anyone know anyting about this?
thanx
Maybe this will help?:
From the Berardi article
“In addition, low-fat diets themselves are often associated with decreases in Testosterone levels, so I propose that the lowering of fat in the diet may have caused this small drop rather than the addition of flaxseeds. In fact, several other studies have helped validate this speculation (Food Chem Toxicol 2000 Apr;38(4):325-34, J Toxicol Environ Health A 1999 Apr 23;56(8):555-70, Am J Clin Nutr 1999 Mar;69(3):395-402). So it?s my opinion that neither flax oil nor flaxseeds will decrease your Testosterone levels. In fact, supplementing your diet with these two products may actually increase your Testosterone production.” ? Berardi
Also, Dr. Lowery also referred to lignans as phytochemicals that combat estrogen. So, doesn’t sound like it’s anything to worry about.
““In addition, low-fat diets themselves are often associated with decreases in Testosterone levels, so I propose that the lowering of fat in the diet may have caused this small drop rather than the addition of flaxseeds. In fact, several other studies have helped validate this speculation (Food Chem Toxicol 2000 Apr;38(4):325-34, J Toxicol Environ Health A 1999 Apr 23;56(8):555-70, Am J Clin Nutr 1999 Mar;69(3):395-402). So it?s my opinion that neither flax oil nor flaxseeds will decrease your Testosterone levels. In fact, supplementing your diet with these two products may actually increase your Testosterone production.” ? Berardi”
Ok, while what he’s saying may make sense, it’s nothing more than speculation on his part. So that draws no conclusions.
I was reading a T-Mag article…one of those science roundup ones or something like that. They mentioned a study studying T levels after meal consumption. They said that T levels dropped after eating tofu (soy), after eating lean meat, and also after eating lean meat with some sort of added fat (I think safflower?). BUT, with a meal with protein and animal fat (like a steak), T levels actually rose.
So it appears that not having animal fat is the biggest issue with food reducing T levels. Maybe plant fats don’t have such a strong effect? They didn’t study anything with meat and flax oil added, though 
So I guess that doesn’t answer my question. Although, it appears animal fats seem to be the best way to maintain T levels (or increase them).
thanx
I found this at WebMD:
“The first, published last year, was a small study showing that men who ate ground flaxseed for 34 days had a drop in levels of testosterone…”
Here’s the link:
And if that doesn’t show up, then here it is:
I emailed TC and asked him about it about a month ago, same question.
He said something about the receptor it targeted… I don’t remember. But the take home message is that he said they’re great for you to eat.