7-Keto-DHEA (the hormone)

7-Keto-DHEA Product Name: 7-Keto-DHEA(7-Keto-dehydroepiandrosterone)

CAS: 566-19-8

Synonyms: DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE, 7-KETO; 5-androstene-3b-ol-7, 17-dione; 5-ANDROSTEN-3-BETA-OL-7, 17-DIONE

MF: C19H26O3

MW: 302.41

Assay: 99%

Properties: White fine crystalline powder

Usage: Pharmaceutical raw materials, the hormone

Description

7-keto-DHEA is a by-product of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a chemical that is formed in the body. DHEA is a "parent hormone" produced by glands near the kidneys. But unlike DHEA, 7-keto-DHEA is not converted to steroid hormones such as androgen and estrogen. Taking 7-keto-DHEA by mouth or applying it to the skin does not increase the level of steroid hormones in the blood.

People take 7-keto-DHEA to speed up the metabolism and heat production to promote weight loss. 7-keto-DHEA is also used to improve lean body mass and build muscle, increase the activity of the thyroid gland, boost the immune system, enhance memory, and slow aging.

Applications

7-oxodehydroepiandrosterone (7-oxo DHEA and more commonly known as the brand name 7-keto) is one of three oxygenated metabolites of Dehydroepiandrosterone, and these three oxygenated metabolites interconvert with one another but do not convert back into parent DHEA; 7-keto supplementation is a way to get these three oxygenated metabolites without using DHEA supplementation, and DHEA may form androgenic and estrogenic hormones via an alternate metabolic pathway (which 7-keto does not participate in).

7-keto supplementation is mostly known to not be hormonal; it can interact with steroid metabolism but the exact manner in which it does it not fully elucidated. It does appear to have anti-cortisol mechanisms as the enzymes that activate cortisol (from the relatively inactive precursors of cortisone and corticosterone) are the same that interconvert these oxygenated metabolites. Although it appears to be anti-cortisol by its mechanisms, there is insufficient evidence to support these mechanisms in the body following oral supplementation.

Studies using 7-keto supplementation tend to note an increased metabolic rate later on during a caloric restriction period (which is secondary to reducing the rate of metabolic rate decline associated with dieting, and becoming a relative increase) although the quantity of data on this is pretty minimal if we exclude studies with possible conflicts of interest or those that use 7-keto alongside a multitude of supplements.

7-keto appears to be a somewhat promising non-hormonal fat burning agent but requires more evidence on both of those claims.

How does it work

7-keto-DHEA might promote weight loss by speeding up the body's metabolism.

How to Take (recommended dosage, active amounts, other details)

A typical supplemental dosage of 7-keto is 200-400mg daily in two divided doses (100-200mg), evidence suggests that lower doses of 50-100mg may be effective for neural purposes.

The optimal dosing schedule and overall dose of 7-keto is not yet known, and the above dosages are just based on what is known to have efficacy.