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Pregnenolone is a natural hormone, made by the body from cholesterol. Pregnenolone is the basic precursor - or starting raw material - for the production of ALL the human steroid hormones, including DHEA, progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, cortisol and aldosterone, and as such is often referred to as "The Mother Hormone" or the next "up and coming" anti-aging hormone.
Pregnenolone is the precursor to all of the steroid hormones (those made by the ovaries, testicles, and adrenal glands), including progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, the cortisones, and DHEA.
The body's own production of pregnenolone is reduced with aging, stress, depression, hypothyroidism and toxin exposure. It may not always be present in our bodies at optimal levels, precisely because it may be used up in producing all the steroid hormones, not leaving enough to fulfill its stress buffer role. Hence the possible need for supplementation.
History; Source
Pregnenolone has been studied and used extensively since the 1930s, both experimentally and medically. Experiments conducted in the 1940s and 1950s found that pregnenolone increases productivity and reduces the stress of factory workers, and is an excellent anti-inflammatory in conditions such as, arthritis and allergies. Pregnenolone was phased out of medical use, yet ironically is much safer and more versatile than the specific steroid hormones which replaced it.
Pregnenolone is synthesized inside the mitochondria, the tiny "power plants" (up to thousands per cell) found in each cell.
It is supplied in 5mg, 10mg, 20mg, 25mg, 30mg, 50mg and 100mg capsules without a prescription.
Function; Reasons For Use
Pregnenolone blocks the effects of cortisol and stimulates brain NMDA receptors. These receptors, which decline with age, play a role in the function of synapses and neurons, influencing learning, memory, and cognitive function.
Like DHEA, the body's production of pregnenolone declines with age, and supplementation with this substance can bring about benefits to the body and mind. Because pregnenolone can enhance DHEA levels, some believe that pregnenolone makes a perfect companion to DHEA.
Biochemist Raymond Peat, Ph.D., who has experimented with pregnenolone for many years, reports that when a person is deficient in pregnenolone, taking it as a supplement can successfully relieve depression, improve memory, reduce skin aging, relieve arthritis symptoms, and reduce stress-induced fatigue.
Unlike DHEA, which converts to estrogen and testosterone, pregnenolone is converted directly to progesterone. This makes it an excellent choice for estrogen-sensitive women or testosterone-sensitive men (such as those with a history of or who may be at risk for prostate cancer).
Pregnenolone's anti-aging benefits may include reduction of stress, reduction of arthritic inflammation, potential maintenance of memory capability, improved mood, well-being, and the ability to see and smell better.
Stress, Fatigue and Depression
Research has demonstrated that pregnenolone produces other hormone-like substances in the body which can greatly improve our resistance to stress and adrenal exhaustion. These two conditions are often found to be the culprits in disease and aging. Chronic fatigue plagues millions today, and pregnenolone may help. In one study, Army pilots using pregnenolone showed a dramatic decreases in fatigue under exhausting conditions. Because pregnenolone functions as a "neurohormone" in the body, it has been shown to significantly help in balancing moods and emotions such as depression and anxiety.
Improved Memory
One of the most exciting aspects of pregnenolone is its memory-enhancing activities. Studies appear to show pregnenolone to be hundreds of times more powerful than other memory-enhancing substances. It also has a powerful effect on improving the transmission of nerve impulses. It has shown such great promise that it is now being studied by many prominent researchers in relation to diseases such as Alzheimer's.
Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, and Spinal Cord Injury
Pregnenolone has a strong proven history as a widely used, side-effect free arthritis treatment. Studies also indicate that it may actually aid in repairing the degeneration of the myelin sheath, the cause of Multiple Sclerosis. Another recent groundbreaking study showed pregnenolone was found to dramatically improve spinal cord injuries, even reversing paralysis when given shortly after the time of injury.
Mood, De-toxification, Aging
Pregnenolone improves mood, has a mild anti-depressant effect at doses of 50mg to 200mg per day, and improves energy levels by protecting our energy-producing mitochondria from toxins which would otherwise damage them. Pregnenolone also enhances the activity of the cytochrome P450 detoxifying enzymes, which help our cells (especially in the liver and brain) to detoxify poisons of all sorts, whether from the outside world, or our own metabolically-produced toxins. The work of Ray Peat Ph.D., has shown that pregnenolone may be a general "anti-stress" metabolite.
Pregnenolone and Prostate Problems
As mentioned above, pregnenolone converts directly to progesterone. Men transfer progesterone to testosterone, and it resides in the prostate gland. Men also make an enzyme called testosterone 5a reductase, which changes testosterone into dihydrotestosterone if it remains in the prostate longer than it ought to. Because this new formation is a steroid, it will begin enlarging the prostate if it doesn't leave in a timely fashion.
Therefore, it's suggested that any men who are experiencing prostate problems use a form of the saw palmetto herb. The effect of saw palmetto is to kill the enzyme testosterone 5a reductase, so that testosterone cannot make the unwanted transfer into dihydrotestosterone.
For a man who already has this problem, it takes a few weeks for the body to get rid of what he already has stored, but if he uses the saw palmetto herb, he will no longer be adding to the problem, and he will soon be feeling more normal. For men who are not experiencing enlarged prostate and who are 45 years old or older, they might wish to use the saw palmetto herb for prevention.
Directions
Pregnenolone is most effective when taken in the morning, before eating. Some physicians recommend starting with just 5mg daily, unless you are older or are taking it for a special condition, in which case one can try 30-60mg. A typical recommendation is between 5 and 30mg per day.
A doctor can test pregnenolone levels and determine if other medications will interact with the supplement. Estrogen, for example, interacts with pregnenolone so pregnant women should not take the hormone. A doctor can suggest an appropriate dose and adjust it as needed.
Side-Effects; Counter-Indicators and Warnings
There are no known side-effects.
Although pregnenolone is said to be generally safe and effective at doses of 25mg to 200mg per day, some physicians don't recommend dosages higher than 100mg unless directed to do so.
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Pregnenolone can help with the following:
KEY | | May do some good |  | | Highly recommended |
GLOSSARY
Adrenal (Adrenal Gland, Adrenal Glands, Adrenals)
The adrenal glands sit on top of each kidney and consist of an outer cortex and an inner medulla. Of the 50 or so hormones the adrenals make, only cortisone and adrenaline are recognized by most people. Some of these hormones must be produced to preserve life, while others help resist stress. Other hormones from the adrenals control normal energy output (along with the thyroid) and govern the breakdown of stored energy into quick energy sources. The medulla produces epinephrine and norepinephrine, which are specifically designed to help the body deal with stressful situations. The adrenals control the body's potassium/sodium balance, which is vital for energy production. They also produce sex hormones in minute amounts, which is important for later years when the gonads drop or cease their production.
Adrenal Insufficiency (Adrenal Exhaustion, Low Adrenal Function)
A condition in which the adrenal gland is compromised in its production of epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, corticosterone or aldosterone. Symptoms include primarily fatigue, weakness, decreased appetite with ensuing weight loss, as well as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, or increased pigmentation of the skin. Cortical insufficiency (low or no corticosteroids) produces a more serious condition called Addison’s Disease, characterized by extreme weakness, low blood pressure, pigmentation of the skin, shock or even death.
Aldosterone
A steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex that helps the kidneys regulate the amount of salt and water in your body and, thus, regulate your blood pressure. When aldosterone levels drop too low, your kidneys cannot keep your salt and water levels in balance, and your blood volume and blood pressure drop.
Allergy (Allergies)
Hypersensitivity caused by exposure to a particular antigen (allergen), resulting in an increased reactivity to that antigen on subsequent exposure, sometimes with harmful immunologic consequences.
Alzheimer's Disease (Alzheimer's)
A progressive disease of the middle-aged and elderly, characterized by loss of function and death of nerve cells in several areas of the brain, leading to loss of mental functions such as memory and learning. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia.
Anti-inflammatory (Antiinflammatory)
Reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms, without directly acting on the cause of inflammation, e.g., glucocorticoids, aspirin.
Anxiety
Apprehension of danger, or dread, accompanied by nervous restlessness, tension, increased heart rate, and shortness of breath unrelated to a clearly identifiable stimulus.
Arthritis (Arthritic)
Inflammation of a joint, usually accompanied by pain, swelling, and stiffness, and resulting from infection, trauma, degenerative changes, metabolic disturbances, or other causes. It occurs in various forms, such as bacterial arthritis, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis, the most common form, is characterized by a gradual loss of cartilage and often an overgrowth of bone at the joints.
Cancer
Refers to the various types of malignant neoplasms that contain cells growing out of control and invading adjacent tissues, which may metastasize to distant tissues.
Cholesterol
A waxy, fat-like substance manufactured in the liver and found in all tissues, it facilitates the transport and absorption of fatty acids. In foods, only animal products contain cholesterol. An excess of cholesterol in the bloodstream can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS, Chronic Fatigue)
A disorder of unknown cause that lasts for prolonged periods and causes extreme and debilitating exhaustion as well as a wide range of other symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle ache and joint pain, often resembling flu and other viral infections. Also known as Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS), Chronic Epstein-Barr Virus (CEBV), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), "Yuppy Flu" and other names, it is frequently misdiagnosed as hypochondria, psychosomatic illness, or depression, because routine medical tests do not detect any problems.
Cortisol
A hormone. Its most important function is to help the body respond to stress. It also helps regulate your body's use of protein, carbohydrates and fat; it helps maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function; it stems inflammation.
DHEA (DHEA-S)
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid produced by the adrenal glands and is the most abundant one found in humans. DHEA may be transformed into testosterone, estrogen or other steroids. It is found in the body as DHEA or in the sulfated form known as DHEA-S. One form is converted into the other as needed.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
A highly active form of testosterone, which influences many aspects of manly behavior, from sex drive to aggression. The conversion from testosterone to DHT is driven by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which is produced in the prostate, various adrenal glands, and the scalp.
Enzymes (Enzyme)
Specific protein catalysts produced by the cells that are crucial in chemical reactions and in building up or synthesizing most compounds in the body. Each enzyme performs a specific function without itself being consumed. For example, the digestive enzyme amylase acts on carbohydrates in foods to break them down.
Estrogen (Oestrogen)
One of the female sex hormones produced by the ovaries.
Gland (Glands)
The glandular system is one of the most important and complicated systems of the body. Gland tissue can be either an organ or general tissue that secretes chemicals and there are two types of gland: exocrine and endocrine. Those glands which secrete chemicals through tubules or ducts are called exocrine and include sweat, tear and salivary glands. Ductless glands - part of the endocrine system - secrete special chemicals (hormones) directly into the blood.
Herbs (Herb, Herbal)
Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with one teaspoon herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Tinctures may be used singly or in combination as noted. The high doses of single herbs suggested may be best taken as dried extracts (in capsules), although tinctures (60 drops four times per day) and teas (4 to 6 cups per day) may also be used.
Hormones (Hormone)
Chemical substances secreted by a variety of body organs that are carried by the bloodstream and usually influence cells some distance from the source of production. Hormones signal certain enzymes to perform their functions and, in this way, regulate such body functions as blood sugar levels, insulin levels, the menstrual cycle, and growth. These can be prescription, over-the-counter, synthetic or natural agents. Examples include adrenal hormones such as corticosteroids and aldosterone; glucagon, growth hormone, insulin, testosterone, estrogens, progestins, progesterone, DHEA, melatonin, and thyroid hormones such as thyroxine and calcitonin.
Hypothyroidism (Hypothyroid)
Diminished production of thyroid hormone, leading to low metabolic rate, tendency to gain weight, and sleepiness.
Liver (Hepatic)
The largest and one of the most complex organs of the body, the liver is responsible for much of the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. It is the site of much of the body's detoxification. It is connected very closely with digestion and the regulation of blood sugar, among many other functions. Found behind the ribs on the right side of the abdomen, it has many important functions such as removing harmful material from the blood, making enzymes and bile that help digest food, and converting food into substances needed for life and growth. Hepatic: Pertaining to the liver.
Metabolite (Metabolites)
Any product (foodstuff, intermediate, waste product) of metabolism.
Milligram (mg, Milligrams)
0.001 or a thousandth of a gram.
Mitochondrion (Mitochondria)
Structure inside a cell that is the location of the cell's energy production machinery. (Plural: Mitochondria)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system, causing patches of sclerosis (plaques) in the brain and spinal cord, manifested by loss of normal neurological functions, e.g. muscle weakness, loss of vision, and mood alterations.
Myelin
A substance made of protein and lipid (fat) that protects the nerves, especially in the brain. The myelin sheath is a jacket of insulation around axons to help them conduct their electrical discharges quickly down the axon.
Ovary (Ovaries)
Ovaries are about the size of an almond and lie on either side of the lower abdomen beside the uterus. They usually produce one egg each month and whether the egg is fertilized or not, the reproductive process follows a monthly cycle, with constant changes in various hormone levels, preparing another opportunity for conception. The ovary is responsible for most of the estrogen production in women. At menopause (sometime after middle-age), egg production ceases and hormone levels drop significantly.
pH
A measure of an environment's acidity or alkalinity. The more acidic the solution, the lower the pH. For example, a pH of 1 is very acidic; a pH of 7 is neutral; a pH of 14 is very alkaline.
Precursor (Precursors)
A biochemical substance, such as an intermediate compound in a chain of enzymatic reactions, from which a more stable or definitive product is formed.
Progesterone
This is the hormone secreted after ovulation by the corpus luteum. It is a steroid (similar to a cholesterol), enters receptive cells to stimulate their growth, and acts as an anabolic agent. Estrogen should be viewed as the primary coat underneath all the cycles during a woman's reproductive years, with progesterone, its antagonist, surging for ten or twelve days in ovulatory months. Most of the actions of progesterone cannot occur without estrogen having previously induced the growth of progesterone-receptive binding sites.
Prostate
The prostate gland in men that surrounds the neck of the bladder and the urethra and produces a secretion that liquefies coagulated semen.
Steroid (Steroids)
Any of a large number of hormonal substances with a similar basic chemical structure containing a 17-carbon 14-ring system and including the sterols and various hormones and glycosides.
Testicles (Testicle, Testicular)
Egg-shaped sex glands in the scrotum that secrete male hormones such as testosterone, and produce sperm.
Testosterone
The principal male sex hormone that induces and maintains the changes that take place in males at puberty. In men, the testicles continue to produce testosterone throughout life, though there is some decline with age. A naturally occurring androgenic hormone.
Last updated: Jun 16, 2009
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