DHEA Plus with Pregnenolone

DHEA is a natural steroid hormone that is synthesized from cholesterol through pregnenolone by the adrenal glands. DHEA acts as an antagonist for glucocorticosteroid hormones and is the parent precursor for other important steroid hormones, such as estradiol and other estrogens, and testosterone. While not a precursor to progesterone, DHEA can indirectly influence progesterone synthesis through a feedback mechanism whereby pregnenolone is converted to progesterone based on DHEA levels. DHEA levels also decline under a variety of conditions of physiological stress, such as acute and chronic infections, and trauma. Vegetarians have been shown to have decreased DHEA levels as well.

Pregnenolone is often referred to as the grandparent precursor to steroid hormones in mammals. Pregnenolone is synthesized from cholesterol in the mitochondria of adrenal glands. Pregnenolone is also made to a lesser extent in the brain, liver, skin, testes, and ovaries. Once synthesized, pregnenolone is released from the mitochondria into the cytosol where it can be converted to DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) or to progesterone. Pregnenolone is found in higher concentrations in the central nervous system compared to the peripheral tissues which may reflect its importance in brain function. As with DHEA, pregnenolone production declines with age. It is estimated that pregnenolone production is about 60% less at age 75 than at age 35. Pregnenolone levels may also decline under various conditions of physiological stress, such as acute and chronic infections and trauma. Supplementation of DHEA and pregnenolone together may assist the body’s natural homeostatic balance of these hormones and subsequent metabolism.