Keto Dhea: What Is It Good For?

7-Keto-DHEA is a by-product of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a chemical produced in the body by glands near the kidneys. Unlike DHEA, 7-keto-DHEA is not converted into steroid hormones such as androgen and estrogen. People take 7-keto-DHEA to speed up their metabolism and promote weight loss, but there is limited evidence to support these uses.

Weight loss

7-keto-DHEA is a supplement that may increase your metabolism and lead to weight loss. It is a metabolite of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a hormone produced by glands near the kidneys. Unlike DHEA, 7-keto-DHEA is not converted to steroid hormones such as androgen and estrogen. This means that when taken orally, it does not increase the levels of these hormones in the blood.

There is some evidence that 7-keto-DHEA may promote weight loss by increasing the body's metabolism and converting more energy to heat instead of storing it as fat. Early research suggests that taking 7-keto-DHEA alongside exercise may help obese adults lose weight. However, more evidence is needed to confirm these findings.

In one study, overweight individuals who took 200 mg of 7-Keto per day and followed a calorie-restricted diet with exercise lost significantly more weight than those who followed the same diet and exercise routine but took a placebo. In another study, individuals who took 100 mg of 7-Keto per day for eight weeks lost more weight than those who took a placebo, but there was no difference in basal metabolic rate between the two groups.

While these results are promising, more research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of 7-Keto for weight loss. It is important to note that 7-keto-DHEA supplements have been banned by the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) for use in sports, as they may trigger positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs.

Muscle strength

7-keto-DHEA is a supplement that is derived from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a hormone produced by the adrenal glands located on top of the kidneys. Unlike DHEA, 7-keto-DHEA is not converted into steroid hormones such as androgen and estrogen. This means that taking 7-keto-DHEA orally or applying it to the skin does not increase the level of steroid hormones in the blood.

People use 7-keto-DHEA for various reasons, including obesity, muscle strength, anxiety, and depression. However, it is important to note that there is currently no strong scientific evidence to support these uses.

When it comes to muscle strength, the majority of research indicates that DHEA supplements do not typically increase muscle mass or strength. However, a small amount of research has shown that DHEA can improve strength and physical performance in frail, older adults or those with adrenal gland dysfunction.

A different form of DHEA, called 7-Keto DHEA, has been found to increase the metabolic rate in overweight men and women. During an eight-week exercise program, participants who took 7-Keto DHEA supplements lost significantly more weight and body fat compared to those who took a placebo. Specifically, they lost 6.4 pounds (2.9 kg) of body weight and 1.8% body fat, while the placebo group lost 2.2 pounds (1 kg) and 0.6% body fat.

Another study found that 7-Keto DHEA prevented the decrease in metabolism typically associated with a reduced-calorie diet and even increased metabolism by 1.4% above baseline levels. This resulted in an extra 96 calories burned per day, or 672 calories per week.

While these initial findings are promising, more research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of 7-Keto DHEA in improving muscle strength and enhancing athletic performance.

Anxiety and depression

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a neurosteroid with anxiolytic and antidepressant properties. It is released in response to stress and may reduce negative emotions when administered as a supplement.

DHEA is a prohormone and a precursor to both male and female sex hormones. It is produced naturally in the body and brain and plays a key role in mood regulation and the body's stress response. It also has general neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects.

Research has shown that DHEA supplementation may reduce the severity of depressed mood and can be safely used alongside antidepressants to increase their efficacy. An early study found that physiological replacement doses of DHEA may improve mood in middle-aged or elderly depressed patients. Another small randomised placebo-controlled trial found that individuals with mid-life onset depression experienced significant and sustained improvements in mood following several weeks of supplementation with DHEA.

DHEA may also be an effective treatment for depressed individuals with HIV/AIDS. In one study, depressed HIV-positive patients experienced significant improvements in mood and fatigue when taking DHEA.

However, it is important to note that DHEA should be used with caution and in lower doses in people with bipolar disorder, as it may exacerbate mania, irritability, and aggression.

In terms of anxiety, 7-keto-DHEA, a byproduct of DHEA, has been taken orally or applied to the skin to treat anxiety. However, there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses, and more research is needed.

Memory

7-Keto DHEA is a non-hormonal metabolite of DHEA, a "parent hormone" produced by glands near the kidneys. Unlike DHEA, 7-Keto DHEA is not converted into steroid hormones such as androgen and estrogen. It is often taken to enhance memory and slow aging.

A study by Shi, Schulze, and Lardy (2000) investigated the effects of 7-Keto DHEA on memory in young and old mice. The results of this study suggest that 7-Keto DHEA may have a positive impact on memory. However, it is important to note that this was an animal study, and more research is needed to determine its effectiveness and safety in humans.

While there is limited research specifically on memory, some human studies have shown that 7-Keto DHEA may increase the metabolic rate and promote weight loss. This is because it may increase the body's heat production, leading to more energy being converted into heat instead of being stored as fat. However, the evidence for these uses is also considered insufficient, and more research is needed to confirm these effects.

It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any supplements, especially if you are taking medication or have any health conditions.

Reducing signs of aging

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which are located just above the kidneys. DHEA is a "parent hormone" and a precursor to male and female sex hormones, including testosterone and estrogen. The production of DHEA peaks in your mid-20s and gradually declines with age. As a result, DHEA has been linked to anti-aging benefits and is often referred to as the "fountain of youth".

Supplementation with DHEA may help to slow down the natural changes that occur in the body with age. Some small studies have reported positive anti-aging effects from the use of DHEA supplements, while others have reported no effect. For example, in one study, 40 healthy elderly men and women participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled DHEA substitution study. After two weeks of DHEA treatment, women tended to report an increase in well-being and mood, and they also showed better performance in a picture memory test. However, these differences were not statistically significant after adjusting for multiple comparisons. No beneficial effects of DHEA were observed in any of the other cognitive tests in either sex.

The derivative of DHEA, 7-keto-DHEA, may also have anti-aging properties. Unlike DHEA, 7-keto-DHEA is not converted into steroid hormones such as androgen and estrogen. Taking 7-keto-DHEA does not increase the levels of these hormones in the blood. However, it is believed to have a more psychological impact than DHEA, without influencing sex hormones. 7-keto-DHEA may be particularly useful in reducing the signs of aging by boosting cell metabolism and brain function.

In summary, while DHEA and 7-keto-DHEA have been touted for their potential anti-aging benefits, the scientific evidence is still limited and inconclusive. More well-designed clinical studies are needed to fully understand the effects of these supplements on aging.

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