Basic Facts
Effects
Indications
Composition
Dosage
Side Effects/Contraindications
Instructions
BASIC FACTS
DHEA (DeHydroEpiAndrosterone) is currently one of the most important substances in anti-aging medicine. It is a steroid hormone which is produced with the help of cholesterol in the adrenal glands, the brain and the skin. DHEA is a precursor for other hormones and vital substances – including testosterone (male sexual hormone) and estrogen (female sexual hormone).
In several experiments it was found that DHEA could serve as an effective protection against cardiovascular problems, as it reduces the cholesterol level and positively influences the coagulation ability of blood. Besides, further investigations have shown that DHEA markedly improves memory, enhances performance abilities, strengthens the immune system, degrades body fat, supports the production of estrogen and testosterone, and enhances libido.
7 Keto DHEA or 3-acetyl-7-oxo-DeHydroEpiAndrosterone is a natural metabolite of DHEA. It has similar effects as DHEA but is not transformed into sexual steroid hormones. Studies showed that it could serve as an alternative to DHEA in treating specific effects of the aging process. It appears to be especially effective in counteracting the weight increase associated with advanced age.
 EFFECTS
The production of DHEA is markedly reduced after the age of 40 years, which leads to a gradual discontinuation of estrogen production and the start of menopause in women. The same is true for the production of testosterone in men. A lesser production of testosterone is also associated with lesser formation of DHEA. Such low DHEA levels lead to a higher cholesterol level and the risks and consequences associated with this condition. The stress-bearing ability of the individual is also dramatically reduced when the production of DHEA falls.
7 Keto DHEA is one of more than 150 metabolites of DHEA and is termed the «ultimate DHEA» by some researchers. It is equally effective and has the same therapeutic effects as DHEA, but is not transformed into sexual hormones. The advantage is obvious: Due to the fact that it is not transformed into testosterone or estrogen, 7 Keto DHEA has none of the potential side effects which could occur from a surplus of these sexual hormones.
It is suspected that 7 Keto DHEA is bound to the same receptors as glucocorticoids and therefore suppresses these stress hormones – which are formed to a greater extent in old age. Among other effects glucocorticoids suppress immune reactions in the body. Blood levels of glucocorticoids increase so high with advancing age that they may impair the immune system – one of the numerous problems of aging.
Furthermore, in experiments it was found that 7 Keto DHEA increases serum levels of the thyroid hormone T3 (triiodothyronine), which is also reduced by the aging process. This is significant because T3 plays an important role in energy metabolism. With advancing age the human metabolism becomes slower. Ingested calories are not burned and transformed into energy, but deposited in the form of fat. The result is an increase in weight and the problems associated with it (cardiovascular disease, fat metabolism disease, calcification of vessels, etc.). T3 is one of the most important hormones to boost the metabolism – the lower the serum levels of the substance, the less is the turnover of energy. The energy turnover is boosted by enhancing T3 levels through 7 Keto DHEA, and a natural loss of weight occurs.
INDICATIONS
Obesity Overweight: 7 Keto DHEA increases the activity of the thyroid hormone T3, which stimulates thermogenesis (the production of warmth in the body) and metabolism. This causes more energy to be consumed and the individual loses weight; the phenomenon was confirmed in several studies. Maximum success was achieved when the individuals simultaneously performed sports three times a week.
Cardiovascular disease: Low DHEA levels signify an elevated risk of cardiac infarction, independent of other risk factors. In trials it was found that 7 Keto DHEA has a similar favorable effect on blood coagulation as aspirin (inhibition of platelet aggregation).
Lupus erythematosus: Lupus erythematosus (LE) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own tissue is destroyed. The skin, joints and central nervous system may also be affected and the individual may experience dramatic effects on his/her quality of life. The intake of 7 Keto DHEA markedly improved the patients’ general wellbeing.
Diabetes mellitus: 7 Keto DHEA enhances the insulin sensitivity of the body.
Immune system: 7 Keto DHEA increases the CD-4 cell count (T-helper cells). These lymphocytes are important to counteract viruses, parasites and some types of cancer. Patients with low CD-4 levels (HIV-positive patients) experienced a marked increase of these important immune cells. Furthermore, since 7 Keto DHEA boosts the entire immune system, it might effect a general enhancement of the individual’s defense abilities towards infection.
Skin aging: 7 Keto DHEA appears to be important for normal hair growth, the function of sebaceous glands, and the elasticity of the skin. In any case the skin ages faster in the presence of low DHEA levels which, according to preliminary studies, could mean that a normal DHEA level has a certain anti-wrinkle effect, and that the elasticity of the skin is retained.
Memory: In trials it was found that 7 Keto DHEA markedly improves spatial memory – even more than DHEA.
Extremely low DHEA levels were observed in patients with arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, poor memory and concentration, disturbed fat metabolism, chronic fatigue syndrome, high cholesterol levels, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Low DHEA levels were also found in the presence of osteoporosis and bronchial asthma.
COMPOSITION
One capsule contains 5 or 25 mg of pure pharmaceutical 7 Keto DHEA
(7 Keto-dehydroepiandrosterone) in a hypoallergenic rice starch base.
DOSAGE
The exact dosage of 7 Keto DHEA can be decided only after an individual hormone status has been determined. The intake may be started from the age of 25 years.
The following suggested dosage should be used as a guideline:
| Women: |
5–25 mg |
| Men: |
25–100 mg |
It should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach, about 30 minutes before breakfast.
SIDE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS
No side effects have been observed in connection with the intake of 7 Keto DHEA.
INSTRUCTIONS
7 Keto DHEA is a potent substance and should not be used without consulting a doctor. This is especially true if you are currently being treated by a doctor and need to take medicines or other hormone preparations regularly.
DHEA substitution should generally be avoided during pregnancy and lactation because of the absence of appropriate data. Patients who have thyroid diseases may take 7 Keto DHEA only after consulting a doctor because it may influence thyroid hormone levels.
This product is available at pharmacies or via Pharmatrans Inc.
For information about prices and packing sizes click here. |
