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As man ages, one of the first sign is an increase of estrogen and an increase of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). This, even without reduced total testosterone level, will change the key ratio/balance of testosterone/estrogen. It's a known scientific fact that this is the start of andropause - a steady process of male hormone decline and out of balance, a major cause of aging. (Read more YBM Hormone)   When this happens, instead of immediately jumping into bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, a herbal approach should be first tried. This includes reducing estrogen conversion, blocking estrogen receptors, reducing DHT conversion, and stimulating testosterone production.   An effective tool for reducing the estrogen effect is a high concentration extraction from cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts) of key ingradients, such as indole-3-carbinol (I3C), DIM (diindolymethane), ascorbigin, sulphoraphine, indoles, isothiocynates and glucosinolates. Animal studies have shown that the cruciferous vegetable extract modulates estrogen hormones by favorably changing the ratio of protective 2-hydroxyestrone versus the damaging 16-hydroxyestrone. Indole-3-carbinol also induces phase I and II detoxifying enzymes that can help neutralize estrogen metabolites and xenobiotic estrogen-like environmental chemicals. Human studies support the beneficial role of I3C in positively altering estrogen metabolism. Di-indoyl-methane (DIM), a phytonutrient found in cruciferous vegetables, has been shown in animal studies to help maintain normal levels of a potentially damaging estrogen called 4-hydroxyestrone.

• Dr. Eric Li's blog
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Many women patients in my clinic find it beneficial taking supplements rich in phytoestrogen such as lignans. The answer is dependent on your situation. Phytoestrogen has different effect on different situations. Phytoestrogen is a weaker form of estrogen. In structure, it is similar to estradiol. But in effect, it is a lot weaker. When the body has a lot of its internal estrogen supply, an addition of phytoestrogen from foods actually make the total estrogenic effect less in the body, because it occupies some of the estrogen receptors which would otherwise occupied by the real more potent estrogen. On the other hand, if the body's own supply of estrogen is scarce, eating more phytoestrogen actually enhances the estrogenic effect of to the body. Therefore, you can see it is all dependent on your situation. For example, for a menopausal woman, phytoestrogen may enhance your estrogen in the body, while for a younger woman who has sufficient supply of estrogen, phytoestrogen may weaken the effect. Since phytoestrogen, as opposed to phytoestrogen containing whole foods, may have meaningful impact on your hormone balance, you need to make sure it's done under detailed doctor supervision.

• Dr. Ping's blog
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I was talking to a client. He is a perfectionist in his health, fitness, and look. "I'm scared of tofu. I've stopped eating tofu," said he. "Why?" "My doctor told me it contains phytoestrogen, which can make man woman."

"Well, phytoestrogen is contained in many natural plant foods, oilseeds (such as flaxseeds, sunflower, sesame, olive, etc.), legumes (such as alfalfa, clover, peas, beans, lentils, lupins, and peanuts), grains (e.g. wheat, oats, barley, rice), fruits (e.g. berries, apples), vegetables (e.g. carrots), herbs (e.g. ginseng), alcohol (e.g. beer). Are you going to avoid all of these?" asked I.

In fact, moderate consumption of whole foods containing phytoestrogen is not only safe, but also beneficial for men. See my earlier article about tofu. 

The trick is not to casually eat any phytoestrogen which is extracted artificially from foods.  For example, there're products in the market for lignans extracted from flaxseeds.  These man-made "natural" products become more potent or concentrated.  When taking these products, it must be in conjunction with a hormone program, which
requires careful monitoring and balancing.  Read more on the article on male hormone replacement, as well as YBM Hormone.

• Dr. BT's blog
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I was listening to radio - an interview with Professor Ronald Mallett on time machines. He was talking about the amazing possibility to travel back in time. When Einstein discovered his special relativity theory, it proves that we can travel to the future, but not to the past because no speed is higher than that of light. But his theory was challenged: Suppose the sun one day were destroyed. Sunlight travels to the earth in about 12 minutes. So for 12 minutes we won't be able to know the sun has disappeared. However, the sun's gravity suddenly disappeared, so the earth would go down somewhere pretty fast. Therefore, gravity is faster than the speed of light?

• Dr. Eric Li's blog
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