Okay, something I learned today is that licorice can lower testosterone and even women need some testosterone for red blood cell production and muscle mass and fat distribution.
As I said, above I have probably been on it daily except for one occasion where I had to wean off of it for about 4-6 (?) weeks because of some upcoming endocrine/adrenal testing and in January-February of this year where I started skipping some days because it seemed to make my heart racing worse.
So about March 10th, I switched from the capsules to the pure extract candy
like this. Now I just take 3-8 pieces of that a day. I actually think it helps me more than the capsules.
So one thing I've noticed is that I have been gaining weight in the last 10 days rapidly--about 6 lbs (2.7Kg). I suspected water weight gain but honestly, I can usually tell when that is happening. Some of this might be water weight, but I'm beginning to wonder if most of the rest is not an increase in muscle mass.
I have added more calories to my daily intake because I've lost too much weight since November and am actually looking kind of emaciated but not that many calories. Honestly, I don't think my size is changing at all.
Anyway an increase in muscle would be awesome as I have grown so weak over the years.
Here's the thing though, looking back I am wondering if my extreme muscle weakness and slight anemia started back when I started on the licorice caps.
And although, I'm still taking the licorice I'm wondering if the form and the fact that I take just a tiny few of these candies a day is making a difference. I still get the slight boost I need from the candies so I do need to keep taking it but IF there was a shift in the other, I would be so excited too.
This website says that, "In one study, 25 men consumed 7 grams of licorice root daily, which caused a 26% drop in testosterone levels after just one week."
I know that 7 grams is a lot (most people don't take that much) but thought I'd mention this for those like me who find licorice helpful with some symptoms. Just something to be aware of especially if you are low on testosterone already.
So maybe this won't be related to the licorice at all since I just switched forms but Ken Lassesen even says on
his website that people who got some kind of remission with the licorice extract didn't get remission on the caps even in massive amounts so that makes me think there is something different between the two. IDK