7-keto-DHEA is a supplement that may increase your metabolism and lead to weight loss. It is formed from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, but unlike DHEA, it does not convert to hormones like androgen and estrogen. Instead, it has effects that may promote weight loss by speeding up the body's metabolism and converting more energy to heat instead of storing it as fat. People take 7-keto-DHEA for various reasons, including obesity, muscle strength, anxiety, and depression, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
How fast does 7-keto work | 7-keto is possibly safe when used for up to 8 weeks. It is well-tolerated in the short term. |
How does it work | 7-keto-DHEA is formed from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the body. It has effects that might promote weight loss by speeding up the body's metabolism and converting more energy to heat instead of storing it as fat. |
Dosage | There is no information on the appropriate dosage of 7-keto-DHEA. |
What You'll Learn
7-keto-DHEA is formed from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the body
7-keto-DHEA (also known as 7-ketodehydroepiandrosterone or 7-oxo-DHEA) is a steroid prohormone produced by the metabolism of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). DHEA is an endogenous steroid hormone precursor and is one of the most abundant circulating steroids in humans. It is produced in the adrenal glands, the gonads, and the brain.
DHEA is converted into 7-keto-DHEA in the body, which has effects that might promote weight loss. Unlike DHEA, 7-keto-DHEA is not converted into hormones like androgen and estrogen. Instead, it may increase the body's metabolism and convert more energy to heat instead of storing it as fat.
People take 7-keto-DHEA for various reasons, including obesity, muscle strength, anxiety, and depression. However, it is important to note that there is no solid scientific evidence to support these uses. The benefits of 7-keto-DHEA supplementation are not definitively established, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not added it to the list of bulk drug substances due to a lack of clinical evidence regarding its safety and efficacy.
When taken orally, 7-keto-DHEA is considered possibly safe for up to 8 weeks and is well-tolerated in the short term. However, there is insufficient information regarding its safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so it is recommended to avoid its use during these periods.
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It may increase your metabolism and lead to weight loss
7-keto-DHEA is a supplement that may increase your metabolism and lead to weight loss. It is formed from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a hormone produced by the adrenal glands located on top of the kidneys. Unlike DHEA, 7-keto-DHEA does not convert to hormones like androgen and estrogen. Instead, it has effects that may promote weight loss by speeding up the body's metabolism and converting more energy to heat instead of storing it as fat.
Early studies suggested that DHEA prevents fat gain in mice due to its thermogenic, or heat-producing, properties. Thermogenesis is the process by which the body burns calories to produce heat. In a test-tube study, 7-keto-DHEA was found to be two-and-a-half times more thermogenic than DHEA, leading researchers to investigate its thermogenic properties in humans.
To date, only two studies have directly examined the effects of 7-Keto on metabolism. In the first study, researchers found that participants who received a supplement containing 100 mg of 7-Keto lost significantly more weight than those given a placebo, but there was no difference in basal metabolic rate (BMR) between the two groups. BMR refers to the number of calories the body needs to perform basic functions like breathing and blood circulation.
However, in another study, 7-Keto was found to increase the resting metabolic rate (RMR) of overweight individuals. While RMR is less accurate than BMR in estimating the number of calories the body needs, it is still a useful measure of metabolism. This study showed that 7-Keto not only prevented the decrease in metabolism associated with a reduced-calorie diet but also increased metabolism by 1.4% above baseline levels, resulting in an extra 96 calories burned per day or 672 calories per week.
While these initial results suggest that 7-Keto may have the potential to increase metabolism and aid in weight loss, more research is needed to confirm these effects. It is important to note that 7-keto-DHEA supplements have been linked to positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs and are banned by the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA). Additionally, 7-Keto may influence hormones in men when applied to the skin as a gel, so it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before considering its use.
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It is possibly safe when used for up to 8 weeks
7-keto-DHEA is possibly safe when used for up to 8 weeks. It is well-tolerated when used in the short term and has a low risk of serious side effects. However, there is no good scientific evidence to support its use for obesity, muscle strength, anxiety, depression, and other conditions.
In one study, 7-Keto was found to increase the resting metabolic rate (RMR) of people who were overweight. The study found that 7-Keto not only prevented the decrease in metabolism that is normally associated with a reduced-calorie diet but also increased metabolism by 1.4% above baseline levels. This translated to an extra 96 calories burned per day or 672 calories per week.
In another eight-week study, participants who received 200 mg per day of 7-Keto lost 6.3 pounds (2.88 kg), compared to a 2.1-pound (0.97 kg) weight loss in the placebo group.
Despite its relatively safe track record, there are some considerations to keep in mind. 7-keto-DHEA supplements have been linked to positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs, and the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) has listed it as a prohibited anabolic agent. Additionally, 7-Keto may influence hormones in men when applied to the skin as a gel, but it does not affect hormone levels when taken orally.
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It is banned by WADA for use in sports
7-Keto-DHEA is a supplement that may increase your metabolism and lead to weight loss. It is produced naturally in the body from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a hormone that comes from the adrenal glands located on top of each kidney.
Unlike DHEA, 7-Keto-DHEA does not actively interact with sex hormones. Therefore, when taken as an oral supplement, it does not increase the amount of testosterone or estrogen in the blood. However, when applied to the skin as a gel, it may influence sex hormones, cholesterol, and thyroid function in men.
While 7-Keto-DHEA is likely safe and has a low risk of serious side effects, it is banned by the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) for use in sports. WADA has listed the supplement as a prohibited anabolic agent. This means that if you are involved in sports and subject to performance-enhancing drug tests, you should avoid taking 7-Keto-DHEA supplements.
The detection of 7-Keto-DHEA misuse in sports requires special attention as it is naturally present in urine samples. The supplement may trigger positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs.
The World Anti-Doping Code, developed by WADA, provides a framework for anti-doping policies, rules, and regulations within sports organisations. Over 660 sports organisations, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), have implemented this code.
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It may influence hormones in men when applied to the skin as a gel
7-keto-DHEA is a supplement that may increase your metabolism and lead to weight loss. It is formed from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a hormone that comes from the adrenal glands located on top of each of your kidneys. Unlike DHEA, 7-keto-DHEA does not actively interact with sex hormones. Therefore, when taken as an oral supplement, it does not increase the amount of them in the blood.
However, when applied to the skin as a gel, 7-keto-DHEA can influence hormones in men. Several studies have shown that when applied to the skin, 7-keto-DHEA can affect sex hormones, cholesterol, and thyroid function in men. It remains unknown how 7-keto-DHEA gel affects women.
In one study, 7-keto-DHEA gel was applied to 10 male volunteers aged 27 to 72 for five consecutive days. The study found a decline in testosterone and estradiol levels and an increase in luteinizing hormone (LH), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A-I levels. The gel also led to a slight but significant increase in apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein(a). The most notable change was the fall in the atherogenic index, suggesting that 7-keto-DHEA gel may be a suitable treatment for improving steroid and lipid parameters in elderly men.
Another study found that short-term transdermal treatment of men with 7-keto-DHEA influenced thyroid function.
While 7-keto-DHEA gel has been shown to influence hormones in men, it is important to note that it is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for use in sports.
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Frequently asked questions
7-keto-DHEA is possibly safe when used for up to 8 weeks. It seems to be well-tolerated when used in the short term. However, there isn't enough information to determine its safety for pregnant or breastfeeding women, so it is recommended that they avoid it.
There is no consensus on the appropriate dosage of 7-keto-DHEA. The dosage may vary depending on individual factors, and it is important to follow the directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before use.
Some adverse effects of 7-keto-DHEA have been reported in studies, including heartburn, metallic taste, and nausea. Additionally, it may influence hormone levels when applied as a gel, especially in men.
7-keto-DHEA is believed to promote weight loss by increasing the body's metabolism and converting more energy into heat instead of storing it as fat. It has shown promising results in some studies, but more research is needed.
7-keto-DHEA supplements can trigger positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs and are banned by the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA). Therefore, individuals involved in sports and subject to drug tests should avoid taking these supplements.