With Pregnenolone, the precursor of various steroid hormones, rheumatic diseases were successfully treated as early as 1940. It is one of the hormones that are effective in increasing brain performance and is considered the ultimate anti-aging agent. Since the 1980s it has been more and more replaced by cortisone, which, unlike pregnenolone, has many harmful side effects.
What is pregnenolone?
Pregnenolone (molecular formula: C21H32O2) is the precursor substance of more than 150 steroid hormones that control various body processes. Via the preliminary stage progesterone, it produces the male sex hormone testosterone and from this in turn the female sex hormone estrogen.
It also forms glucocorticoids, mineral corticoids, stress hormones and DHEA. The substance was first produced synthetically in 1934. It acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain.The human body produces pregnenolone from cholesterol in the cell mitochondria. The pregnenolone level is roughly the same in men and women. In children it increases significantly from the age of 9 and is highest between the ages of 25 and 30. After that it decreases steadily.
This shows in decreasing vitality, decreased brain function and decreasing libido. Since the substance acts primarily as a neurosteroid, its concentration in the brain is much greater than in the blood. Pregnenolone is available as a dietary supplement in capsule and powder form and for external use as an ointment in pharmacies and on the Internet.
Function, effect & tasks
Pregnenolone has many positive direct and indirect effects. It improves brain performance, which decreases with age, by promoting memory function, the ability to learn, concentration, attention, language performance and eyesight.
It has a mood-enhancing and fear-relieving effect and can therefore be used as a remedy for depression and anxiety. Since it increases the general energy level, the patient can also use it against burnout and general poor performance. In this application he can also take it together with melatonin and / or DHEA. It also improves brain function in younger people who suffer from memory problems caused by too much stress. As current clinical studies show, the daily administration of 500 mg of pregnenolone even has a positive effect on undesirable symptoms of schizophrenia.
The patients were more alert and had improved memory and receptiveness. Since the active ingredient has anti-inflammatory properties and a profile similar to that of cortisone, it can also be used efficiently in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. Pregnenolone protects the myelin sheaths surrounding the brain nerve cells and thus inhibits the development of Alzheimer's and dementia. It repairs nerve damage caused by burns or accidents. Pregnenolone helps prevent cancer and reduces the risk of developing Parkinson's.
The steroid improves heart function, reduces high cholesterol levels and is prescribed for diabetics over 40 because it regenerates the beta cells in the pancreas. In young women, it stabilizes the irregular menstrual cycle through the formation of progesterone, increases libido and relieves menstrual pain. In older women, it reduces menopausal symptoms and supports the health of the female genital organs. Since it increases the activity of the GABA receptors in the brain, pregnenolone also promotes restful sleep. Applied externally, it regenerates skin tissue and has a rejuvenating effect.
Education, occurrence, properties & optimal values
Pregnenolone occurs naturally in the wild yam root, from which it is produced semi-synthetically. The plant's own saponin diosgenin is used. The human body produces pregnenolone largely in the adrenal cortex, but also in the liver, skin, brain and sexual organs.
Since the pregnenolone level in the body can be viewed as an indicator of the ongoing aging process, it is used as the basis for calculating the maximum daily dose. To determine the amount of the hormone present in the body, the doctor will perform the ACTH test. Based on the test result, he determines the daily dose to be administered. To find out which is the best dose, he takes blood from the patient who has been treated with the substance 3 to 5 days earlier and checks the hormone status.
Younger patients with mild memory problems should start with the low dose of 10 mg per day. A daily dose of 15 mg is recommended for men and women aged 40 and over, and 30 mg for those aged 50 and over (average dose). Patients with more pronounced symptoms and elderly patients 60 and over receive 50 mg daily. Patients with pre-existing autoimmune diseases should take 300 to 500 mg of pregnenolone daily.
The active ingredient is usually consumed as a capsule in the morning with plenty of liquid on an empty stomach and distributed evenly throughout the day.
Diseases & Disorders
The steroid has no side effects when taken as directed. Epileptics should only use it in a very small dose (if at all!). It is generally not prescribed for young people under the age of 25. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor beforehand.
When taking DHEA at the same time, the effectiveness of both substances increases. Pregnenolone is used as a dietary supplement to generally increase physical and mental performance and therapeutically to treat pregnenolone deficiency.
In the case of deficiency symptoms - recognizable, for example, from chronic tiredness (fatigue), burnout syndrome, reduced stress resistance, declining memory performance and ability to concentrate, visual and hearing disorders, depression, fears, a generally reduced visual and acoustic absorption capacity - the person concerned should make a hormonal status at the doctor and Get a prescription for pregnenolone. In the case of existing chronic diseases that are treated with medication, it is advisable to consult the treating doctor beforehand. Otherwise there could possibly be unforeseeable interactions.
