Feel run down? Rapid heart rate? Low sex drive? Well, everyone can have a terrible day or two, but it may mean you have low testosterone levels. But that may not just be the only problem. You may need DHEA and pregnenolone. Yet what are DHEA and pregnenolone? And how are they connected to testosterone? DHEA and pregnenolone, in essence, are the building blocks for testosterone. You could say, you can't have one without the other, and here's why.
Hormones Have Parents Too
Yes, it's true— hormones have parents. Okay, not in the same way that people have parents, but pregnenolone is nicknamed the "mother of all hormones." Pregnenolone is a precursor hormone that comes from cholesterol. Small amounts of cholesterol are converted to pregnenolone in the adrenal glands.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a precursor hormone as well, but it's generated from pregnenolone. Basically, pregnenolone comes first, and small amounts convert to DHEA. DHEA is the most widely steroid hormones circulating in the body and vital for so many bodily processes.
Precursor Hormones
Now, here comes the most critical part. Some DHEA is converted into testosterone in the adrenal glands as well. In addition to DHEA and pregnenolone, the adrenal glands produce testosterone and cortisol. Although the testes produce higher amounts of testosterone than the adrenals do.
Some healthcare professionals believe that low DHEA levels come from adrenal insufficiency. This makes sense because the adrenal glands produce most of the body's critical hormones, and low levels of DHEA could indicate a problem with these vital glands. When you have adrenal insufficiency, it can lead to acute and chronic health problems.
How Pregnenolone and DHEA Increase Testosterone
Testosterone is critical in men's health. It gives men a sex drive, strong muscles and bones, better cognitive health, and generally a better sense of wellbeing. But the misconception is that testosterone is only essential for men.
But that's not true. Women produce levels of testosterone as well. Regardless of your sex, increasing testosterone to optimal levels makes your health better. The most common method to boost testosterone levels is through hormone replacement. Yet hormone replacement therapy programs often omit pregnenolone and DHEA as part of the supplementation.
But the foundation of testosterone begins with pregnenolone. Pregnenolone builds DHEA, which in turn generates testosterone. If you just add testosterone to increase hormone levels without the "parents" to provide the support, your dietary supplements may only be a bandaid.
Not a long-term solution. Although testosterone by itself can be highly beneficial. It really depends on your body. By taking DHEA and pregnenolone, you're increasing testosterone as well. Why not start at the source and find out what DHEA and testosterone can do for your body?
What DHEA, Pregnenolone & Testosterone Do Together
Testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation increase testosterone hormone levels and can provide the following benefits.
Anti-aging Boost
Fighting age is always on one's mind. As you age, you can develop high blood pressure, cognitive impairment, poor sexual health, and other health concerns. There's also a direct link between aging and low hormones. By the time you've reached middle age, your hormone levels have decreased dramatically.
Some research shows that increasing DHEA and pregnenolone levels help you feel more alive and healthier because the side effects of low hormones make you feel run down and depressed. Hormones communicate to all aspects of your body, and DHEA and pregnenolone are no exceptions.
Improves Brain Function
One of the benefits of DHEA supplement or pregnenolone supplement to increase testosterone is that it may improve cognitive function. Some research shows that people with Alzheimer's disease have lower levels of DHEA.
A DHEA supplement may help with brain fog and improve cognitive abilities for people with impaired brain function. Pregnenolone and testosterone supplements can have this effect as well. Putting them all together may not only fight disease but give your better concentration.
Improves Prostate Health
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of 13 men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime. And two to three will die from prostate cancer. There is some growing evidence that DHEA promotes healthy tissue in the prostate gland and reduces cancer risk.
DHEA may increase cancer cells in some cases, but if you add an isoflavone, such as red clover, it is mitigated. More research needs to be done, but there is a growing case for DHEA combined with other supplements to prevent prostate cancer.
Jumpstarts Weight Loss
Weight management at any age or time in one's life once you reach adulthood can be an uphill battle. Metabolisms change, and hormone levels lower. Low DHEA and pregnenolone may cause unnecessary weight gain. Research shows that DHEA and pregnenolone help control blood sugar levels in the body.
Controlling blood sugar levels is particularly important for those with diabetes. One clinical trial published in the journal Aging showed that after six months of DHEA replacement, participants had improved control over glucose levels and tolerance.
Helps with Menopausal Symptoms
One aspect of women's health that becomes particularly important as one ages is the effects of menopause. Most people may understand that menopause has lower estrogen levels and the best way to treat the symptoms is through replacement therapy.
Estrogen hormone therapy doesn't usually include DHEA or pregnenolone. But improved estrogen and testosterone levels (thought DHEA and pregnenolone supplementation) may decrease the symptoms of menopause. This may help for postmenopausal women as well.
Signs of Low Hormones
The symptoms of low hormones vary depending on the person and type of depleted hormones. But there are some common symptoms, regardless of the kind of deficiency, including:
- Vaginal dryness
- Hot flashes
- Weight gain
- Erectile dysfunction
- Poor bone density
- Hair loss
- Rapid heartbeat
- Low sexual desire
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Poor cognitive development
Taking DHEA and pregnenolone can help improve hormonal imbalances, including increasing testosterone levels. The "parent" hormones work together to produce the male sex hormone. If taking testosterone by itself isn't giving you the results you want, speak to your healthcare professional about DHEA and pregnenolone supplementation.
