What is Aromatization?

By Dr. Andreas Boettcher, D.C., Functional Medicine, B.S. Health/Exercise Science

3x Ironman Triathlete, Master's Men's Physique Competitor

www.ItsOnlyHalftime.com

🔥 Aromatization: The Hidden Saboteur of Men’s Hormonal Health

Most men who struggle with fatigue, belly fat, low drive, or declining performance are quick to assume their testosterone has simply “aged out.”
But in reality, many are not suffering from a lack of testosterone production…
They’re losing it to aromatization.

🧠 What Is Aromatization?

Aromatization is the biochemical process in which the enzyme aromatase (CYP19A1)converts androgens — primarily testosterone and androstenedione— into estrogens, mainly estradiol and estrone.

This process is normal and necessary in small amounts.
Men do need some estrogen — it supports bone density, brain function, mood regulation, and even libido.

However, when aromatase activity becomes excessive, it can turn your body into an estrogen factory— draining your testosterone and creating a hormonal environment that sabotages your health, confidence, and vitality.

⚙️ Where Aromatization Happens

Aromatase is expressed in several tissues — including the testes, adrenal glands, liver, brain, and especially adipose (fat) tissue.

That last one is key:the more body fat you have, the more aromatase you produce.

Fat tissue doesn’t just store excess calories — it’s metabolically active.
It creates inflammatory cytokines, produces leptin, and converts testosterone into estrogen.

This is why so many men with low testosterone also struggle with stubborn belly fat, fatigue, mood swings, and decreased motivation — the exact symptoms of estrogen dominance.

🔄 What Increases Aromatase Activity?

Several lifestyle and environmental factors dramatically up regulate aromatase expression:

• Excess body fat, especially around the abdomen

• Chronic inflammation(from diet, toxins, and poor gut health)

• High insulin levels and insulin resistance

• Alcohol consumption

• Exposure to endocrine disruptors(plastics, pesticides, phthalates, parabens, BPAs)

When these are present, your internal environment becomes estrogen-dominant and testosterone-deficient — even if your total testosterone levels appear “normal” on lab tests.

⚠️ Why Excess Aromatization Is Dangerous for Men

An unfavorable testosterone-to-estrogen ratio can disrupt nearly every system in your body.

Common symptoms of excessive aromatization include:

• Gynecomastia (breast tissue development)

• Decreased muscle mass and strength

• Fat accumulation in the abdomen and chest

• Decreased libido and erectile issues

• Fatigue, brain fog, and low motivation

• Depressed mood and irritability

• Poor sleep and low recovery

• Infertility and lower sperm count

Even worse —elevated estrogen suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, reducing luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) production, which further decreases natural testosterone synthesis.

It’s a vicious cycle that can make natural recovery nearly impossible unless you address the root causes.

🧩 Aromatization and Obesity: A Hormonal Tug-of-War

Excess body fat is the #1 driver of aromatization — and it’s not just a cosmetic concern.

Research shows that obese men have up to 25% lower total testosterone and significantly higher estradiol compared to lean men (Zumoff et al.,JCEM, 1990).

Inflammatory molecules likeIL-6 and TNF-alpha further increase aromatase expression (Simoncini et al.,Mol Endocrinol, 2005).
And leptin resistance, common in obesity, has also been shown to raise aromatase levels (Liu et al.,Endocrinology, 2001).

In simple terms:
The fatter you get, the more estrogen you make — and the harder it becomes to lose fat.

🍽️ Insulin Resistance: The Hormonal Accelerator

When your body becomes resistant to insulin, blood sugar levels remain high, forcing the pancreas to pump out more insulin to compensate.
This hyperinsulinemia lowers sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG)— increasing free testosterone available for aromatization.

It’s a double hit:

1. More testosterone available for conversion to estrogen, and

2. More fat and inflammation that drive the conversion process.

This is the hidden metabolic trap behind “low T” — it’s not simply testicular failure; it’smetabolic mismanagement.

🔥 Inflammation: The Silent Catalyst

Chronic inflammation disrupts the entire hormonal symphony.
It increases aromatase expression in immune and fat cells and raises cortisol — the stress hormone that directly suppresses testosterone production.

Studies have confirmed that men with higher inflammatory markers like CRP have significantly lower testosterone (Maggio et al.,Clin Endocrinol, 2010).

When inflammation is present, no amount of exogenous testosterone (TRT) will fix the root problem — it only masks the symptoms.

📉 The Modern Male Hormonal Crisis

This isn’t just an age issue.
Testosterone levels in men have been steadily declining for decades — independent of age.

A 2007 study in theJournal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that a 65-year-old man in 2004 had significantly lower testosterone levels than a 65-year-old man in 1987 — about a 1% decline per year (Travison et al., 2007).

What’s changed?

• Higher body fat and obesity rates

• Sedentary lifestyles

• Chronic stress and poor sleep

• Processed food consumption

• Environmental toxins and xenoestrogens

• Excess alcohol

• Reduced nutrient density in food

All of these amplify aromatase activity and suppress testosterone production — long before most men ever consider testing their hormones.

💪 How to Lower Aromatization Naturally (Before Considering TRT)

Before you ever consider testosterone replacement therapy, yourfirst line of defenseshould be correcting the root causes of excessive aromatization.

Here’s where to start:

1.Reduce Visceral Fat

• Engage in strength training at least 3x per week.

• Include HIIT and resistance circuits to improve insulin sensitivity.

• Aim for 10,000+ steps daily and consistent activity throughout the week.

2.Optimize Nutrition

• Follow a low-glycemic, anti-inflammatory diet rich in grass-fed proteins, healthy fats, and low-carb vegetables and fruits.

• Eliminate seed oils, processed foods, and sugar.

• Support liver detoxification with cruciferous vegetables (broccoli sprouts, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts) that contain indole-3-carbinol and DIM, natural aromatase modulators.

3. Balance Blood Sugar

• Limit snacking and implement intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating.

• Add apple cider vinegar or berberine before high-carb meals to stabilize glucose.

• Manage stress, as cortisol dysregulation worsens insulin resistance.

4.Reduce Toxin Exposure

• Avoid plastics (use glass or stainless steel).

• Choose organic meats and produce.

• Use natural personal-care products free from parabens, phthalates, and BPA.

• Filter your water.

5.Get Quality Sleep

• Deep sleep is when testosterone is produced.

• Aim for 7–9 hours per night, in a cool, dark environment.

6. Natural Aromatase Regulation

• Using a proven supplement link DIM+ have natural aromatase-inhibiting effects. Click here to learn more about supporting healthy estrogen metabolism.

• Always use these under the guidance of a qualified practitioner to ensure balance, not suppression.

⚡The Takeaway

Aromatization is not the villain —unchecked aromatization is.
Before jumping into TRT or injections, address the lifestyle and metabolic factors driving hormonal imbalance.

If you optimize the foundation — reduce visceral fat, improve insulin sensitivity, lower inflammation, and detoxify your environment — you may find your body restores testosterone production naturally.

⚡️ Ready To Take Charge of Your Health With the Most Comprehensive Natural Approach to Mens Health?

If you’d like to go deeper — to uncover the root causes behind your energy, hormones, metabolism, and performance — I invite you to book a complimentary consultation.

Together, we’ll review your health history and goals and determine if our Peak Performance Protocol based on your lab analysis, genetics, and lifestyle data is right for you!

👉Click here to schedule your complimentary consultation.

To learn more about our approach and success stories, visit www.ItsOnlyHalftime.com where we help men like you turn your second half into your best half naturally!

Finish Strong,

Dr. Andreas

Still Kickin' A** Medication Free at 55 Despite What the "Narrative" Would Like You To Believe!

Medical Disclaimer:

The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen or lifestyle.

🧾References

1. Travison, T. G., et al. (2007).A population-level decline in serum testosterone levels in American men.JCEM, 92(1), 196–202.

2. Zumoff, B., et al. (1990).Hormonal profiles in obesity.JCEM, 71(5), 929–933.

3. Tchernof, A., & Després, J. P. (2000).Sex steroid hormones, sex hormone-binding globulin, and obesity in men and women.Obesity Reviews, 1(4), 197–207.

4. Maggio, M., et al. (2010).Relationship between inflammatory markers and testosterone in older men.Clinical Endocrinology, 73(5), 629–634.

5. Liu, Y., et al. (2001).Leptin regulation of aromatase gene expression in human breast adipose tissue.Endocrinology, 142(11), 4815–4821.

6. Simoncini, T., et al. (2005).Regulation of aromatase expression by cytokines in human endothelial cells.Molecular Endocrinology, 19(4), 912–923.

Medical Disclaimer:

The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen or lifestyle.