Supplements

Pregnenolone

Pregnenolone is a steroid hormone, typically manufactured by the body from choesterol, that can be metabolized into other important hormones such as DHEA, estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone.

In the 1940's Dr. Hans Selye studied pregnenolone's usefulness against anxiety and fatigue. In the 1950's it was studied again, as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Pregnenolone was found to control pain, swelling, and other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, and it was the only hormone tested that did not cause metabolic side effects.

Cortisone and cortisol derivatives were opted for as the treatment for this debiliating disease because it was more powerful, however, pregnenolone caused none of the adverse effects for which corticosteroids are well known, including water retention, high blood pressure, susceptibility to infections, weight gain, greater risk of diabetes, and facial puffiness known as moon face.

At the Atkins Center doctors are using the hormone supplement to treat any condition for which prednisone would be prescribed, including arthritis, multiple sclerosis, asthma, temporal arthritis, and lupus.

In combination with DHEA, pregnenolone is useful for relieving depression. Animal research indicates that pregnenolone may become one of the most powerful substances yet found to enhance memory.

Deficiency: Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, athlete's, person's under stress.

Sources: In supplement form only.

Precautions: Reported side effects include headache, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, mood swings, irregularities of heart beat, acne, growth of facial hari, and loss of scalp hair. Pregnenolone has yet to be studied as thoroughly as most other hormones currently on the market.

Dosage Ranges and Duration of Administration: Until more information is available, it is best to take the lowest effective dosage and seek the supervision of a health care provider. Follow supplemental guidelines by manufacturer or check with your health care practitioner.