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Pregnenolone is a
naturally occurring androgen (hormone), a neurosteroid,
or "brain steroid" produced by the
adrenal glands and is found in plasma, adrenal glands,
liver, skin, gonads and brain tissue and goes into
progesterone and other neurosteroids. Formed from
cholesterol pathway, Pregnenolone has been a focus of
interest to scientists every since its discovery during
the 1930's, because it occupies some important metabolic
pathways where the body "decides' to make
progesterone, DHEA, androgen, estrogen, and corticoids
including cortisone, the most potent anti-inflammatory of
the all. The first studies were done by the great
Canadian neuro-endocrinologist and theoretician, Dr. Hans Selye, who is best known for helping
to shape current
thinking about the body's response to stress. Selye was
fascinated with the hormone. even before anyone knew how
it fit in the steroid hormone family tree and stated
"the compound possesses, at least in traces, every
independent main pharmacological action which has
hitherto been shown to be exhibited by any steroid
hormone.
Pregnenolone would probably be beneficial for both aging
men and women and like DHEA, drops profoundly with age,
although age-related "norms" for Pregnenolone
have not been as clearly established as for DHEA.
Pregnenolone is made in the mitochondria, the chemical
factory of the cells and in nerve cells.
In a recent review, based on clinical studies with
Pregnenolone that were performed in the 1940's and 1950's
as well as more recent studies on steroid hormone
metabolic and mechanism, Dr. Eugene Roberts (Pregnenolone- from Selye to Alzheimer and a model of the
Pregnenolone sulfate binding side on the beta receptor:
Biochem Pharmacol: 1995;49#1:1-16.) would be of value in
a number of age-related conditions, including fatigue
and reduced endurance, Alzheimer's disease and
age-related cognitive impairment. In addition,
Pregnenolone appeared to mitigate a number of
non-age-related conditions such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis,
lupus erythematosis, scleroderma
and psoriasis. Pregnenolone can be directly converted to progesterone and may thereby be of
benefit in osteoporosis and a number of post menopausal
conditions. |
Pregnenolone appear to have a wide margin of safety and
has been used for over 3 months in does exceeding 50 mg
per day without apparent toxicity. We still have much to
learn about the clinical uses and optimum doses of
Pregnenolone - especially when combined with DHEA.
Benefits of Pregnenolone:
- Enhance memory
- Enhance DHEA levels without side effects
- Immune Enhancement
- Anticancer
- Antidepressant
- Increased energy
- Life Extension
- Cognitive Enhancement
- Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease
- Balance estrogen levels
- Increase resistance to stress
- Repair the myelin sheath membrane that protects the brain
and nervous system and nerve cells
- Reduced fatigue, increase endurance
- Enhances well-being
- Repair of Enzymes rheumatoid and lupus arthritis
- Reduced exophthalmia in Graves' disease patients
- Protection from cortisone toxicity
- Control of certain cyclic seizures
- Sleep Aid
- PMS - pre-menstrual syndrome
- Increased libido, sex drive
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Our bodies are run by
hormones, and DHEA is considered by many to be the
"mother of hormones" because it literally can
be transformed into over fifty other important hormones
including the sex hormones testosterone, progesterone,
and the estrogens. It can also be made into Cortisone,
which is related to our inflammatory responses in the
body. Cortisone plays important roles in the regulation
of allergies, (rashes, sinusitis, hay fever, and asthma)
and inflammatory conditions (arthritis, bursitis, and
many others). DHEA has a positive effect on white blood
cells, making them more active and effective. Diabetes,
cardiovascular disease, and obesity have all been
associated with low levels of DHEA. There have been so
many positive results from using DHEA that the FDA has
recently approved it for over the counter sale - However
, despite all the euphoria over it's use, it still should
not be taken in high dosages. Dr. Mindell recommends 5-50
mg daily for women, and 25-100 mg daily for men, DHEA is
a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands, and is found in humans in abundance when we are young, but by
middle age, the supply begins to drop. By age 50, most
people produce only 30% of the DHEA that they did in
their youth, and by age 60, it is barely detectable. The
drop-off is significant, and dramatic. We actually have
some long term studies regarding DHEA that are very
revealing.
In one long term study of men between the ages of 50 and
79, researchers found that those with the lowest levels
of DHEA had the highest rate of heart disease. Other
studies of healthy men suggest that DHEA supplements cut
cholesterol, reduce body fat, increase muscle mass, and
relieve depression. Studies also show that men with the
highest levels of DHEA were the least likely to be impotent. In animal studies, it has been shown to
increase memory. All of these things combined are why
people say this is the youth hormone!
Dr. William Regelson
- A medical oncologist who has tracked DHEA for 15 years.
He co-authored best seller "The Melatonin
Miracle" but has now moved on to DHEA. He personally
has delayed aging and is a living example of the effects
of DHEA with a youthful energetic life condition and
strong libido.
Dr. Orentreich - Dermatologist who maintains a
research lab. He is a believer in Hormone replacement therapy and recognizes the onset of "male
menopause". According to Ms. Sheehy he looks very
health for someone 73 yrs.old. (he takes DHEA) and he has
been interested in aging since 13 yrs. old. Dr.
Orentreich has done many studies of testosterone and
found that he had better control with DHEA.
Dr. Samuel Yen - This country's premier DHEA
researcher has found that taking DHEA in replacement doses can activate the immune system. His subjects
experienced increases in general felling of well being. |
Pregnenolone is used for:
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