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Oct12
7-Keto DHEA vs DHEA
Filed under: DHEA, Immune System; Tagged as: 7 Keto, 7-Keto DHEA, Adrenal Glands, Bone Mass, DHEA, fat loss, Hormone Levels, Immune System Functions, Libido Dhea, Liver Enzymes, Memory Loss, Metabolic Rate, Sex Hormone, White Blood Cells2 CommentsIf you’ve been doing research on DHEA, you’ve probably also heard of 7-Keto DHEA. But what is the difference and which one is the right one for you?
7-Keto DHEA is a biologically active metabolite of DHEA that promotes better health and energy without the potential side effects of increased amounts of hormones. 7-Keto DHEA boosts the immune system by increasing the production of certain types of white blood cells; it increases energy and metabolism by activating enzymes in the liver that boost the rate of thermogensis (the process by which fat is burned).
7-Keto has all the non-hormonal effects of DHEA, and may even be more potent in this regard. However 7-Keto will not have some of the effects that DHEA has such as improved libido.
DHEA is the most plentiful hormone in the human body, but its production declines with age. As the levels of DHEA decrease, so does this important metabolite, 7-KETO. The levels of DHEA and its numerous derivatives, manufactured in the adrenal glands, begin to decline after the age of 30 with about a 50% decline by the age of 40 and about 85% decline by the age of 70. As these hormone levels decline during the aging process, there are some detrimental physiological and anatomical effects which occur as a result. These include a reduction in protein biosynthesis which lead to a loss in muscle mass, and reduction in bone tissue regeneration which causes a loss of bone mass (a risk factor for osteoporosis). Other effects include the decline in the metabolic rate which causes an increase in fat accumulation, a decline in various immune system functions, and an increased rate of memory loss.
One of the effects n of 7-KETO in a double blind, placebo controlled human, clinical trial was the stimulation of liver enzymes, which increase heat production using fat as the primary source of energy. Naturally, this resulted in the reduction of adipose fat tissue when combined with exercise. Other clinical studies in humans indicated 7-KETO improved immunity and also memory-related functions. In all cases, 7-KETO was demonstrated to be substantially more effective than DHEA without the sex hormone related, side effects.
The safety evaluation of 7-KETO has been done through observations from an extensive number of pre-clinical and clinical safety studies in both humans and animal subjects. In all cases, 7-KETO was consistently found to be safe for human consumption as a dietary supplement.
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Jun27
Confused About What Your Blood Chemistry is Telling You? part 2
Filed under: Blood Chemistry, DHEA, Immune System; Tagged as: Adrenal Glands, anti-aging, Blood Chemistry, blood tests, bone density, Bone Fractures, Bone Mineral Density, DHEA, diabetes, estradiol, Estradiol Level, Fibrinogen Levels, fibrogen, Fish Oil, heart disease, Heart Disease Research, Immune Function, Immune System, inflammation, Inflammatory Diseases, Level Women, libido, Lifestyle Changes, Low Estradiol Levels, Menstrual Cycle, Nerve Injury, osteoporosis, Osteoporosis Research, Peak Levels, Quitting Smoking, Risk Of Heart Disease, Tissue InflammationNo CommentsThis is the second in a series of posts about what blood tests you need on a yearly basis and what they tell you.
2. Fibrinogen
Fibrinogen levels increase with tissue inflammation. Increased fibrinogen levels can help predict the risk of heart disease and stroke as well as other inflammatory diseases. Obviously with knowledge of increased fibrinogen levels, lifestyle changes become important—such as quitting smoking, losing weight, and becoming more physically active—as well as adding nutritionals such as fish oil, niacin, folic acid and vitamins A and C, which may lower fibrinogen levels.
3. DHEA
DHEA is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands and is a precursor to estrogen and testosterone. In your twenties, levels of DHEA peak and then decline with age, decreasing to 20-30% of peak levels between the ages of 70 and 80. DHEA is frequently referred to as an “anti-aging” hormone. However DHEA is extremely important as we age as healthy levels may support immune function, bone mineral density, mood, libido, reduces abdominal fat, protects the brain following nerve injury, and helps prevent diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Research also suggests that DHEA may help with depression and clinical trials are evaluating DHEA’s role in memory and Alzheimer’s.
4.Estradiol
In non-pregnant women, estradiol is the most commonly measured type of estrogen. Estradiol levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle and drop after menopause to a consistent but lower level . Women with increased levels of estradiol may be at a higher risk for breast or endometrial cancer. Very low levels may indicate a higher risk for bone fractures. In fact, in men with osteoporosis, research has shown a correlation with a low estradiol levels. Men do produce smaller amounts of estradiol than women but it is not only an indicator of increased incidence of osteoporosis but is tied to pituitary functions. Also men with low estradiol levels and low levels of testosterone may experience low sex drive and difficulty with urination.
Significant positive correlations were found between estradiol levels and levels of total cholesterol.
Supplements such as DHEA, pregnenolone, soy, black cohosh, and pomegranate as well as bioidentical estrogens may be helpful in maintaining healthy estradiol levels.

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