Hey guys
I just started taking Licorice Root Extract as part of a regimen for battling adrenal fatigue, however it reduced my libido and made me real moody and gave me hot flashes. I have went online and read that it can reduce testosterone by as much as 1/3. I have since gooe off it and stuck to taking Vitamin C. Is this decrease permanent or would it go back to normal in a matter of time?
Thanks!
Whats the brand/product you’re taking, I have Metagenics Licorice Plus(1tab morning, 2 tabs afternoon) and am taking Source Naturals Pantethine 300mg per tab(1morning, 2 lunch, 1 dinner) for my adrenal fatigue regimen. Its been going great, no decrease in my testosterone whatsoever, definitely an increase, ha-ha. However, at the same time I started my zinc regimen, zinc is well known to increase testosterone.
Im 23, age can be a factor probably as well…
I always take a lot of Vitamin C (4-6 a day regularly, if working out 2x a day than 12g, if working out 3x than 15g)
how much are you taking? IIRC anything over 1200mg will decrease testosterone. i took 800mg for a couple months and felt no decrease in testosterone at all.
[quote]VlocoG wrote:
Its been going great, no decrease in my testosterone whatsoever, definitely an increase, ha-ha.[/quote]
You can’t tell if your testosterone has increased or decreased “by feel” without testing.
If you have more libido it could be because of increased estrogen (important for libido) or a hundred other possible factors.
VlocoG gives some great advice.
Also, I’ve seen some experiential evidence that suggests licorice extract should only be used for 8 days and then you should switch to another herbal, such as holy basil, cordyceps, rhiodola, etc.
I’ve been on 450mg of Nature’s Way Licorice Root for about 10 days I think. It was just sort of annoying since I started to feel better on my regimen until I added Licorice Root, which just decreased my libido as well as making me tired and sweaty (not to mention moody).
@wannabebig
900mg daily (600mg afternoon, 300mg morning), this is what feels best for me, got the general advice from Poliquin, than more detail advice from one of his staff members Stephanie melfi, I think she handles all email inquiries. Yea, Poliquin recommends no more than 4 tabs of the stuff a day (which equates to 1.2g), he didn’t say why though, thanks for the input
@seekonk
Wow, ha I wonder if increased estrogen is the reason why Im feeling hornier. I figured it was increased testosterone, because Ive been getting leaner/stronger as well.
@hungryone
Where did you get this info on switching swapping licorice root out for something else? I definitely would like to improve my knowledge on these adrenal supplements.
This is what Stephanie told me when I asked her about the duration on the licorice plus supplement, from a few months back:
?There is no time frame for lowering or adjusting doses for this protocol. You just follow the recommended dosage for the 32 days. But if you think the dosage may be too high, you can adjust slightly to suit your needs, as with the licorice.?
Just sent an email asking for more detail regarding the adrenal fatigue regimen
@Slasher917
Poliquin recommends anyone who has high blood pressure should avoid Licorice root, I dont know if that could be the case for you?
Also, what brand was it, it could have been shitty quality?
Poliquin brand is pretty pricey, so I try to find whatever supplement he copied and put his brand on it (Metagenics supplements are a bit cheaper and are identical to some of his branded supplements)
He recommends to not take Licorice root past the afternoon, because it helps to increase the half-life of cortisol, which could keep you up at night when your trying to go asleep?
[quote]VlocoG wrote:
@hungryone
Where did you get this info on switching swapping licorice root out for something else? I definitely would like to improve my knowledge on these adrenal supplements.
This is what Stephanie told me when I asked her about the duration on the licorice plus supplement, from a few months back:
?There is no time frame for lowering or adjusting doses for this protocol. You just follow the recommended dosage for the 32 days. But if you think the dosage may be too high, you can adjust slightly to suit your needs, as with the licorice.?
Just sent an email asking for more detail regarding the adrenal fatigue regimen
[/quote]
This article talks a bit about it:
But I’ve also found from experience any herbals that act on cortisol and testosterone only work for about 8-10days. Switching it up often has yielded good results in this sense (I know, only anecdotal evidence…) but Charles has mentioned this before too.
[quote]Slasher917 wrote:
I just started taking Licorice Root Extract as part of a regimen for battling adrenal fatigue[/quote]If I may, who diagnosed you with adrenal fatigue ?
Thanks so much!
Fuck! How did I not come across this earlier. Gotta wait for my refund check from school to come in to try the other supps…
Are you a female, you had adrenal problems?
[quote]hungryone wrote:
[quote]VlocoG wrote:
@hungryone
Where did you get this info on switching swapping licorice root out for something else? I definitely would like to improve my knowledge on these adrenal supplements.
This is what Stephanie told me when I asked her about the duration on the licorice plus supplement, from a few months back:
?There is no time frame for lowering or adjusting doses for this protocol. You just follow the recommended dosage for the 32 days. But if you think the dosage may be too high, you can adjust slightly to suit your needs, as with the licorice.?
Just sent an email asking for more detail regarding the adrenal fatigue regimen
[/quote]
This article talks a bit about it:
But I’ve also found from experience any herbals that act on cortisol and testosterone only work for about 8-10days. Switching it up often has yielded good results in this sense (I know, only anecdotal evidence…) but Charles has mentioned this before too.[/quote]
[quote]VlocoG wrote:
Thanks so much!
Fuck! How did I not come across this earlier. Gotta wait for my refund check from school to come in to try the other supps…
Are you a female, you had adrenal problems?
[/quote]
Male and yes I’ve had adrenal problems - specifically a lot of abdominal fat despite being very lean everywhere else (cortisol issues).
I used to play university basketball, which absolutely shot my adrenal glands – think playing 4-6hrs per day, 6 days a week for 5 straight years and then working at bars till 4am on the weekends for another 5 years.
On the path to recovery however!
You still have adrenal issues, is is because your work requires you to work late or an overall unfavorable/stressful job?
From what I understand from the Poliquin article you cited, you just go back and forth with those 2 suggested protocols until you get your issues repaired (presuming it should get repaired in a few months max). However, I do recall reading in one licorice plus review, the person said they’ve been on the licorice for more than a year.
What kind of remedies/supplements are in your regimen, what kind of cycles are utilizing, if any?
My job is still stressful (have my own business). And I believe it’s variable for the length of time it’ll take an individual to recover from adrenal fatigue.
My current regimen is:
Vitamin C - 6-8g/day
Carnitine - 5g/day (in the morning)
Holy Basil/Licorice/ Alpha GPC
Pantethine - 900mg/day
[quote]tolismann wrote:
[quote]Slasher917 wrote:
I just started taking Licorice Root Extract as part of a regimen for battling adrenal fatigue[/quote]If I may, who diagnosed you with adrenal fatigue ?
[/quote]
^^
Adrenal fatigue is something in the natural/wholistic health field and not western/modern medicine (which isn’t to say that it doesn’t exist, but definitely something to think about).
Also, OP, please do research before taking products. Studies have shown that licorice reduces T levels; one study shows by as much as 40%. I’d rather keep my “adrenal fatigue” than have reduced T levels anyday.
I observe symptoms of adrenal fatigue. I plan to have my morning cortisol checked though when I get bloodwork done again.
[quote]flch95 wrote:
[quote]tolismann wrote:
[quote]Slasher917 wrote:
I just started taking Licorice Root Extract as part of a regimen for battling adrenal fatigue[/quote]If I may, who diagnosed you with adrenal fatigue ?
[/quote]
^^
Adrenal fatigue is something in the natural/wholistic health field and not western/modern medicine (which isn’t to say that it doesn’t exist, but definitely something to think about).
Also, OP, please do research before taking products. Studies have shown that licorice reduces T levels; one study shows by as much as 40%. I’d rather keep my “adrenal fatigue” than have reduced T levels anyday.[/quote]
Do you know if this is permanent? I have taken 450 mg a day for about 10 days straight (I have also taken it in the past but have stopped due to forgetfulness/busy schedule) and have been off it for about 5 days now.
Currently just taking 500mg-1000mg Vitamin C and just getting sufficient rest.
[quote]Slasher917 wrote:
I observe symptoms of adrenal fatigue. I plan to have my morning cortisol checked though when I get bloodwork done again.
[quote]flch95 wrote:
[quote]tolismann wrote:
[quote]Slasher917 wrote:
I just started taking Licorice Root Extract as part of a regimen for battling adrenal fatigue[/quote]If I may, who diagnosed you with adrenal fatigue ?
[/quote]
^^
Adrenal fatigue is something in the natural/wholistic health field and not western/modern medicine (which isn’t to say that it doesn’t exist, but definitely something to think about).
Also, OP, please do research before taking products. Studies have shown that licorice reduces T levels; one study shows by as much as 40%. I’d rather keep my “adrenal fatigue” than have reduced T levels anyday.[/quote]
Do you know if this is permanent? I have taken 450 mg a day for about 10 days straight (I have also taken it in the past but have stopped due to forgetfulness/busy schedule) and have been off it for about 5 days now.
Currently just taking 500mg-1000mg Vitamin C and just getting sufficient rest.
[/quote]
Probably not. Its only been 10 days so I doubt anything’s happened yet…and even if something changed, you’ll probably be back to normal soon enough once you stop taking it.
Did you ever go to a naturopath?
Good to hear. No I’ve never seen a doctor/specialist about it, I just had them test my testosterone levels which while kind of low did not seem to be low enough to make me feel as tired as I am.
Im curious to see what your dosages are for Holy basil/Licorice/ Alpha GPC. From week to week do you switch from holy basil to licorice, as illustrated in the poliquin article?
Carnitine is a potent/significant stress-fighter?
Which type of carnitine do you take, what source influenced you to use carnitine, and it seems at quite a hefty dose, might I add…
[quote]hungryone wrote:
My job is still stressful (have my own business). And I believe it’s variable for the length of time it’ll take an individual to recover from adrenal fatigue.
My current regimen is:
Vitamin C - 6-8g/day
Carnitine - 5g/day (in the morning)
Holy Basil/Licorice/ Alpha GPC
Pantethine - 900mg/day
[/quote]
I use the Poliquin Holy Basil and Licorice Supreme. 2 caps, 2x/day at breakfast and lunch
Alpha GPC - 600mg breakfast and lunch
Carnitine I’ve been experimenting with. Been rotating between Poliquin’s Yang R-ALA, Carnitine Synergy, and about to try Glycocarn
Carnitine is very energizing, so it’s used at breakfast and lunch only. Also helps to increase the number of testosterone receptors and start burning fat. Some research shows that it will modulate dopamine and cortisol as well - particularly in the brain. Supposedly has a synergistic effect with these other herbs and supplements.
I tried the Holy Basil Supreme recommendation for 2 days ( I think it was 2 days and 2 caps) a while back. If I remember correctly, Poliquin said that when starting out with it its common that you’ll feel drowsy, being that it resets your neurotransmitters. That drowsy effect hit me hard, I stopped it after than, and haven’t gone to the open the bottle back up ever since.
Has this happened to you as well?
Do you know how to possibly counteract that effect?
Maybe your high dosage of carnitine does the trick, I really don’t want to trial and error it,I hate wasting a minute of the day, and when I took the basil supreme, most of the day if not the entire day I was so fucking lethargic!
[quote]hungryone wrote:
I use the Poliquin Holy Basil and Licorice Supreme. 2 caps, 2x/day at breakfast and lunch
Alpha GPC - 600mg breakfast and lunch
Carnitine I’ve been experimenting with. Been rotating between Poliquin’s Yang R-ALA, Carnitine Synergy, and about to try Glycocarn
Carnitine is very energizing, so it’s used at breakfast and lunch only. Also helps to increase the number of testosterone receptors and start burning fat. Some research shows that it will modulate dopamine and cortisol as well - particularly in the brain. Supposedly has a synergistic effect with these other herbs and supplements.[/quote]