Fall 2021 FOCUS Newsletter Special Edition Preview

FOCUS

Allergy Research Group ® Newsletter | SPECIAL EDITION Fall 2021

DHEA AND PREGNENOLONE

SPECIAL EDITION www.allergyresearchgroup.com | 800.545.9960

CONTENTS

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DHEA and Pregnenolone

10 In Vitro Fertilization

A Comprehensive Clinician’s Guide to the Research Behind the Parent Hormones DHEA and Pregnenolone

10 Bone Density in Special Settings

13 Mental Health

DHEA

6 Stress Protection 7 Adrenal Insufficiency

7 Aging

9 Sexual Function

14 Pregnenolone

14 Age-Related Memory Decline

15 Mental Health

16 Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Allergy Research Group® FOCUS Newsletter | Fall 2021 SPECIAL EDITION

From the Editor Many integrative health care practitioners know about DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) and pregnenolone, but few really know the depth of their clinical utility and importance in human health (particularly in the case of pregnenolone). These are two of my favorite hormones to use in practice—when used in appropriate clinical settings. Personally, I never like to give hormones unless I determine, via blood tests and clinical presentation, that the patient needs them. These hormones are quite safe when used judiciously. To err on the side of caution, they should be avoided with any past and present history of hormone-sensitive cancers.1,2 In this special edition of FOCUS Newsletter, we take an in-depth dive into the world of DHEA and pregnenolone and the many health benefits they offer.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Todd A. Born, ND, CNS Editor-in-Chief 1 Mayo Clinic Staff. DHEA. Feb 12, 2021. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-dhea/art-20364199 2 Folkerd EJ and Dowsett M. Influence of Sex Hormones on Cancer Progression. J Clin Oncol. 2010 Sep 10;28(26):4038-44.

Editor-in-Chief Todd A. Born, ND, CNS

Executive Editor Meagan Purdy, ND

Copy Editor Katie Van Amburg

Art Editor Matt Ivan

Graphic Designer Kristin Wood

Want more educational resources? Visit our blog at www.allergyresearchgroup.com/blog for more articles, including these related articles.

The Pro-Hormone DHEA and Sexual Health

DHEA for Bones, Brains, and in the Bedroom

Pregnenolone for Memory, Mood, and Brain Health

Feed Your Brain, Part 1 of 2

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DHEA AND PREGNENOLONE A Comprehensive Clinician’s Guide to the Research Behind the Parent Hormones DHEA and Pregnenolone When we speak of hormones, we often think of those that play a role in mediating sexual function: estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. These hormones come from the common base molecule of cholesterol, and all three have the same parent hormone pregnenolone (PREG), while estrogen and testosterone are both downstream from dehydroepiandrosterone, commonly known as DHEA. DHEA and its sulfated form DHEA-S are the most abundant steroid hormones in the human body.1 They are primarily produced in the adrenal cortex, with smaller amounts of DHEA being synthesized in the ovaries and testes.

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Data suggests that DHEA and DHEA-S are also produced in the brain.2 DHEA is a precursor to estradiol, estrone, testosterone, and 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT).3 As an androgen, DHEA has roughly 1/20 of the androgen potency of testosterone.4

SIGN UP PREG is upstream of DHEA; it gives rise not only TO READ to DHEA but also progesterone, cortisol, and other intermediary metabolites. The synthesis and THE ENTIRE metabolism of PREG primarily take place in the adrenals, with the specific pathways and ISSUE

Allergy Research Group® FOCUS Newsletter | Fall 2021 SPECIAL EDITION

products varying by the adrenal location.5 Smaller amounts of PREG are also made in the gonads as well as the brain.6,7,8 In postmenopausal women, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), typically estrogen in combination with progesterone, is prescribed primarily for the alleviation of menopausal symptoms, but it also may have protective effects on the bone and the brain.9,10,11 While testosterone was once only prescribed for hypogonadism, as diagnosed by clinical signs and symptoms and multiple low morning fasting serum testosterone values, testosterone prescriptions Our FREE quarterly increased three-fold from 2001 to 2011, mostly being Focus Newsletter is prescribed to men without this clinical diagnosis.12 for professionals in the Primary symptoms of hypogonadism are fatigue, loss of libido, and depressed mood, and, later, loss of muscle healthcare industry. mass and body hair, voice changes, gynecomastia, and Fill out the13form below osteoporosis.

With the replacement of testosterone, libido and energy levels are to subscribe for futurerestored rapidly as hormone levels are normalized, typically in three to six

newsletters and to read the rest of this issue.

months.14 Testosterone replacement in hypogonadal men has been shown to have a significant impact on bone mineral density (BMD), increasing BMD by more than 20% after the first year of treatment. It also may have positive effects on mood and memory.16,17 While estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are prescription only, PREG and DHEA are considered dietary supplements in the U.S., making them widely available for use by consumers and practitioners without prescribing rights. Much like the clinical response seen with the replacement of estrogen and testosterone, similar benefits may be derived from these hormone precursors. Additionally, both DHEA and PREG have substantial and very interesting research pointing toward a positive impact on mental health in a wide array of settings. Herein, we take a comprehensive look at the research concerning DHEA and PREG for chronic stress, hormone deficiency states, aging, sexual function, bone strength, mental health, and even pain.

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