7-Keto Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

General Info

Active Forms
7-keto DHEA. It is also known as 7-keto, 7-oxo-DHEA, 7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone, and 3-acetyl-7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone.

Absorption
Studies indicate that 95% of orally ingested 7-keto DHEA is absorbed from the intestinal tract into systemic circulation.

Dietary Sources
7-keto DHEA does not occur in foods.

Dosage Info

Dosage Range 25 to 200 mg daily. Most Common Dosage 100 mg twice daily for weight loss; 50 to 100 mg daily for anti-aging. Dosage Forms Tablets and capsules.		Adult RDI None established Adult ODA None established

Overview

7-keto DHEA is a long sought after metabolite of DHEA that provides the benefits of DHEA without its potential side effects. One of the world's leading scientists in this area, Dr. Henry Lardy at the University of Wisconsin, spent nearly ten years testing hundreds of DHEA metabolites in an effort to find the appropriate compound. The primary side effects from DHEA are due to the fact that it can be converted into estrogen and testosterone. However, 7-keto DHEA, which is a naturally occurring metabolite with DHEA-like activity, that does not convert to either of the sex hormones.(1)

For some time it has been known that DHEA provides memory enhancing benefits. Results of a more recent study indicate that 7-keto DHEA improves memory better than DHEA.(2) However, since human trials have not been conducted, it is too soon to recommend 7-keto DHEA as a memory enhancing agent for cognitive decline in humans.

Toxicities & Precautions

Studies indicate that 95% of orally ingested 7-keto DHEA is absorbed from the intestinal tract into systemic circulation.

General
This dietary supplement is considered safe when used in accordance with proper dosing guidelines. A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study of 22 healthy men demonstrated that 7-keto DHEA was safe and well-tolerated at a dosage of 200mg per day for up to four weeks.(3)

Functions in the Body

Uses

Clinical Applications
	Aids
	Anti-Aging
	Weight Loss

Immune enhancement
When interleukin-2 reacts with its corresponding receptor sites on cell surfaces, it influences the immune system by stimulating the production and differentiation of various T-lymphocytes, which in turn stimulate the production of additional immune system agents such as other interleukins, interferons, and tumor necrosis factors.(4) Since 7-keto DHEA has been shown to enhance the production on interleukin-2 in human lymphocytes, it appears that 7-keto DHEA may have a future as an immune system-enhancing agent.(5, 6) Thus, 7-keto DHEA could prove to be therapeutically useful in a wide range of conditions, including major killers such as cancer and AIDS.

Increased metabolic rate
It has been reported that therapy with 7-keto DHEA influences thyroid function and metabolism. Specifically, administration of 7-keto DHEA appears to result in elevated levels of the T-3 thyroid hormone.(7) Since thyroid hormones regulate metabolic activity, this provides a potential explanation of why 7-keto DHEA causes reductions in body weight and body fat.(8)

Thermogenesis
For some time is has been known that DHEA induces liver enzymes that are responsible for thermogenesis. It is now known that various DHEA metabolites, including 7-keto DHEA are more active inducers of these thermogenic enzymes than DHEA.(9) This also helps explain the mechanism behind 7-keto DHEA's ability to reduce body weight and body fat.

Clinical Applications

Aids
It has been reported that DHEA reduces the replication of the HIV-1 virus.(10) Also, DHEA levels are lower in individuals with HIV and AIDS than in normal controls, and DHEA levels continue to decline as the disease progresses.(11) DHEA's immune enhancing effects may be related to its ability to increase the secretion of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) from activated T-cells.(12) It has now been reported that 7-keto DHEA enhances IL-2 production in a manner similar to DHEA.(13) Since 7-keto DHEA does not convert to sex hormones, it may be a useful immune enhancing agent in the treatment of these conditions.

Anti-Aging
Some researchers have called DHEA an anti-aging breakthrough. These claims are based on the results of a study in which elderly individuals who took 50 mg of DHEA nightly for 3 months increased their levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), gained muscle strength and lean body mass, and increased immune function. The participants reported improvements in physical and psychological well-being with more energy, improved mood and sleep patterns, more relaxed feelings and a greater capacity to deal with life's stresses.(14) Researchers feel that 7-keto DHEA is a safer alternative, able to provide the same benefits without DHEA's potential side effects due to its conversion into the sex steroid hormones.

Weight Loss
In a double-blind trial, 30 overweight individuals were put on identical 1800 kcal/day diet and instructed to exercise for one hour 3 times per week. Fifteen patients also took 200 mg of 7-keto DHEA/day while the other 15 control subjects received a placebo. After 8 weeks, the 7-keto DHEA group lost an average of 6.34 pounds compared to a loss of 2.2 pounds for the control group.(15)

Symptoms & Causes of Deficiency

Since 7-keto DHEA is not an essential nutrient in humans, no deficiency condition has been identified.

Footnotes