DHEA and 7-Keto DHEA

DHEA and 7-Keto DHEA support weight loss and sexual health,
written by Dr Corey Schuler

Women tend to lose DHEA at a faster rate than men as they age. Because of this, much research has been done regarding the effects of DHEA and women’s health, specifically, sexual health.  Aside from the increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease as women age, sexual function and interest tends to decline as well (Yasui, 2012).  One study found that daily oral DHEA therapy at the dose of 10 mg provided a significant improvement in sexual function and in frequency of sexual intercourse in early postmenopausal women (Genazzani, 2011). 

Newer research is showing that a metabolite of DHEA, namely the 7-hydroxylated metabolite, is lower at certain times during a female’s menstrual cycle.  One study found that decreased levels of the 7-hydroxylated metabolites of DHEA may be associated with decreased mood and cognitive disturbances during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (Duskova, 2011).

 

DHEA and Weight Loss

The metabolite of DHEA, 7-Keto DHEA, has emerged as an important one for weight loss and decreased fat by increasing a process called thermogenesis. The body’s resting metabolic rate increases, which increases heat in the body, resulting in an energy that increases consumption of calories and burns fat. The physiological mechanism that this is accomplished by is stimulation of fatty acid oxidation.

Research is showing that 7-Keto DHEA is effective AND safe as this metabolite is not converted into testosterone or estrogen. The only theoretical safety concerns about DHEA centers around these conversion issues. Where testosterone and estrogen therapies have caused concern, DHEA is been given similar caution. Very few natural products improve basal metabolism; however, 7-keto DHEA caused a slight but significant rise in thyroid hormones in men during the treatment period, however levels declined to basal levels after treatment was stopped (Hampl, Sulcova, 2006). Resting metabolic rates were increased 1.4% in overweight adults using 7-Keto DHEA (Zenk, 2007). 

I use 7-Keto DHEA to improve short term weight loss when used in combination of other dietary and lifestyle therapies. In regards to using DHEA itself rather than the 7-Keto metabolite, I strongly urge the use of testing and retesting to promote safe use. DHEA and DHEA-S can be measured via blood for relatively low cost and should be ordered with either a traditional or advanced (VAP) lipid panel. Unbound DHEA can be monitored via salivary panels as well.

 

1.      Duskova M, Simunkova K, Hill M, Starka L. 7-hydroxylated derivatives of dehydroepiandrosterone as possibly related to menstrual mood change in healthy women. Endocr Regul. 2011 Jul; 45(3):131-7

2.      Genazzani AR, Stomati M, Valentino V, Pluchino N, Pot E, Casarosa E, Merlini S, Giannini A, Luisi M. Effect of 1-year, low-dose DHEA therapy on climacteric symptoms and female sexuality. Climacteric. 2011 Dec;14(6):661-8.

3.      Hampl R, Sulcová J, Bílek R, Hill M. How short-term transdermal treatment of men with 7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone influence thyroid function. Physiol Res. 2006; 55(1):49-54.

4.      Yasui T, Matsui S, Tani A, Kunimi K, Yamamoto S, Irahara M. Androgen in postmenopausal women. J Med Invest. 2012;59(1-2):12-27.

5.      Zenk JL, Frestedt JL, Kuskowski MA. HUM5007, a novel combination of thermogenic compounds, and 3-acetyl-7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone: each increases the resting metabolic rate of overweight adults. J Nutr Biochem. 2007 Sep; 18(9):629-34.