Hi:
I found this reply from PhytoPharmica. It can be found at:
http://www.chronicfatigue.org/What's%20New.html
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A patient of ours recently sent a request to one of the makers of 7-Keto for a explanation of the difference between it and DHEA. We thought all our friends would like to read this explanation so we have included it here.
Heres that email I received (from PhytoPharmica).
Dear Sir:
Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding PhytoPharmica(r) products.
Although we can't comment on the potency differences between a competitor DHEA and our 7-keto DHEA product, we can discuss the difference between the two chemicals in our body.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a major adrenal hormone whose mechanism is subjected to investigation. In both animals and humans, low DHEA levels occur with the development of a number of the problem of aging:
increased incidence of several cancers, loss of sleep, decreased feeling of well-being, osteoporosis and atherosclerosis.(1) In human body, DHEA is converted into testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, oestrone, oestradiol,(2) and 7-keto DHEA.(3,4) The amount of DHEA that is converted into the above hormones or 7-keto DHEA varies with a person's medical condition, age and gender.(5)
7-keto DHEA is irreversibly metabolized from DHEA, and it will not convert to DHEA. Therefore, 7-Keto(tm) does not raise blood levels of DHEA in the body. Research has indicated that in healthy men, 7-keto DHEA did not increase levels of DHEA, estradiol, cortisol, total testosterone and free testosterone.(1) As 7 Keto(tm) does not raise blood levels of DHEA, decreasing blood levels of DHEA after stopping supplementation would not be an expected result.
Research has shown that 7-Keto(tm) is more potent than DHEA in strengthening the immune system, enhancing memory, and inducing the activity of various thermogenic enzymes.(6-13) Therefore, it is beneficial
for individuals desiring the benefits of DHEA without the associated problem of DHEA conversion into other hormones.
Again, thank you for your interest in our products. We wish both you and your wife continued good health.
Sincerely,
Brenda Van Goethem
PhytoPharmica (r) Medical Writer
1. Watson RR, Huls A, Araghinikuam M, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone and disease of aging. Drugs Aging. 1996;9:274-291. Abstract.
2. Nippoldt TB, Nair KS. Is there a case for DHEA replacement? Baillieres Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1998;12:507-520. Abstract.
3. Parker LN. Adrenal androgens in clinical medicine. San Diego, Calif: Academic Press, Inc. 1989:15.
4. Marenich LP. Excretion of testosterone, epitestosterone, androstenedione and 7-ketodehydroepiandrosterone in healthy men of
different ages. Probl Endokrinol. 1979;25:28-31.
5. Sahelian R. DHEA: a practical guide. Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing Group; 1996:3-6.
6. DHEA (7-keto-DHEA). The FASEB J. 1998;12:764. Abstract.
7. Nelson R, Herron M, Weeks C, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone and 7-keto-DHEA augment interleukin 2 (IL 2) production by human lymphocytes
in vitro. Presented at the 5th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections; February 1-5, 1998; Chicago, Illinois. Abstract (596):49.
8. Lardy H, Treatment of Alzheimer's disease and modulation of immune system with D5-androsternes. 1998. United States Patent: 5707983.
9. Shi J, Lardy H. 3b-hydroxyandrost-5-ene-7,17-dione (7-keto-DHEA) improves memory in mice. The FASEB J. 1998;12:764. Abstract.
10. Davison MH, Weeks C, Lardy H, et al. Safety and endocrine effects of 3-acetyl-7-oxo- Lardy H, Partridge B, Kneer N et al. Ergosteroids:
induction of thermogenic enzymes in liver of rats treated with steroids derived from dehydroepiandrosterone. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1995;92:6617-6619.
Abstract.
11. Su CY. Lardy H. Induction of hepatic mitochondrial glycerophosphate dehydrogenase in rats by dehydroepiandrosterone. J Biochem.
1991;110:207-213.
12. Bobyleva V, Bellei M, Kneer N et al. The effects of ergosteroid 7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone on mitochondrial membrane potential:
possible relationship to thermogenesis. Arch Biochem Biophys. 1997:341:122-128.
13. Lardy H, Reich IL. 5-androsternes useful for promoting weight maintenance or weight loss and treatment process. 1996. United States Patent: 5506223.
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Hope it is helpful.
Roberto