Health Information Center : Pregnenolone

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Pregnenolone is a naturally occurring androgen (hormone), a neurosteroid, or "brain steroid" produced by the adrenal glands and is found in plasma, adrenal glands, liver, skin, gonads and brain tissue and goes into progesterone and other neurosteroids. Formed from cholesterol pathway, Pregnenolone has been a focus of interest to scientists every since its discovery during the 1930's, because it occupies some important metabolic pathways where the body "decides' to make progesterone, DHEA, androgen, estrogen, and corticoids including cortisone, the most potent anti-inflammatory of the all. The first studies were done by the great Canadian neuro-endocrinologist and theoretician, Dr. Hans Selye, who is best known for helping to shape current thinking about the body's response to stress. Selye was fascinated with the hormone. even before anyone knew how it fit in the steroid hormone family tree and stated "the compound possesses, at least in traces, every independent main pharmacological action which has hitherto been shown to be exhibited by any steroid hormone.

Pregnenolone would probably be beneficial for both aging men and women and like DHEA, drops profoundly with age, although age-related "norms" for Pregnenolone have not been as clearly established as for DHEA. Pregnenolone is made in the mitochondria, the chemical factory of the cells and in nerve cells.

In a recent review, based on clinical studies with Pregnenolone that were performed in the 1940's and 1950's as well as more recent studies on steroid hormone metabolic and mechanism, Dr. Eugene Roberts (Pregnenolone- from Selye to Alzheimer and a model of the Pregnenolone sulfate binding side on the beta receptor: Biochem Pharmacol: 1995;49#1:1-16.) would be of value in a number of age-related conditions, including fatigue and reduced endurance, Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive impairment. In addition, Pregnenolone appeared to mitigate a number of non-age-related conditions such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosis, scleroderma and psoriasis. Pregnenolone can be directly converted to progesterone and may thereby be of benefit in osteoporosis and a number of post menopausal conditions.

Pregnenolone appear to have a wide margin of safety and has been used for over 3 months in does exceeding 50 mg per day without apparent toxicity. We still have much to learn about the clinical uses and optimum doses of Pregnenolone - especially when combined with DHEA.

Benefits of Pregnenolone:

Enhance memory
Enhance DHEA levels without side effects
Immune Enhancement
Anticancer
Antidepressant
Increased energy
Life Extension
Cognitive Enhancement
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease
Balance estrogen levels
Increase resistance to stress
Repair the myelin sheath membrane that protects the brain and nervous system and nerve cells
Reduced fatigue, increase endurance
Enhances well-being
Repair of Enzymes rheumatoid and lupus arthritis
Reduced exophthalmia in Graves' disease patients
Protection from cortisone toxicity
Control of certain cyclic seizures
Sleep Aid
PMS - pre-menstrual syndrome
Increased libido, sex drive

Our bodies are run by hormones, and DHEA is considered by many to be the "mother of hormones" because it literally can be transformed into over fifty other important hormones including the sex hormones testosterone, progesterone, and the estrogens. It can also be made into Cortisone, which is related to our inflammatory responses in the body. Cortisone plays important roles in the regulation of allergies, (rashes, sinusitis, hay fever, and asthma) and inflammatory conditions (arthritis, bursitis, and many others). DHEA has a positive effect on white blood cells, making them more active and effective. Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity have all been associated with low levels of DHEA. There have been so many positive results from using DHEA that the FDA has recently approved it for over the counter sale - However , despite all the euphoria over it's use, it still should not be taken in high dosages. Dr. Mindell recommends 5-50 mg daily for women, and 25-100 mg daily for men, DHEA is a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands, and is found in humans in abundance when we are young, but by middle age, the supply begins to drop. By age 50, most people produce only 30% of the DHEA that they did in their youth, and by age 60, it is barely detectable. The drop-off is significant, and dramatic. We actually have some long term studies regarding DHEA that are very revealing.

In one long term study of men between the ages of 50 and 79, researchers found that those with the lowest levels of DHEA had the highest rate of heart disease. Other studies of healthy men suggest that DHEA supplements cut cholesterol, reduce body fat, increase muscle mass, and relieve depression. Studies also show that men with the highest levels of DHEA were the least likely to be impotent. In animal studies, it has been shown to increase memory. All of these things combined are why people say this is the youth hormone!

Dr. William Regelson - A medical oncologist who has tracked DHEA for 15 years. He co-authored best seller "The Melatonin Miracle" but has now moved on to DHEA. He personally has delayed aging and is a living example of the effects of DHEA with a youthful energetic life condition and strong libido.

Dr. Orentreich - Dermatologist who maintains a research lab. He is a believer in Hormone replacement therapy and recognizes the onset of "male menopause". According to Ms. Sheehy he looks very health for someone 73 yrs.old. (he takes DHEA) and he has been interested in aging since 13 yrs. old. Dr. Orentreich has done many studies of testosterone and found that he had better control with DHEA.

Dr. Samuel Yen - This country's premier DHEA researcher has found that taking DHEA in replacement doses can activate the immune system. His subjects experienced increases in general felling of well being.