Many dietary supplements on the market claim to improve your metabolism and boost fat loss. One of these supplements is 7-keto-dehydroepiandrosterone (7-keto-DHEA) - also known by its brand name 7-Keto. This article explores the potential benefits of 7-keto-DHEA, its effects on metabolism and weight loss, and its safety profile.
What is 7-Keto-DHEA?
7-keto-DHEA is a by-product of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a chemical that is formed in the body. DHEA is a "parent hormone" produced by glands near the kidneys. DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is used by the body as a building block in the production of estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. DHEA is one of the most abundant circulating steroid hormones in your body. It functions as a precursor for the male and female sex hormones, including testosterone and estrogen.
7-keto-DHEA is formed from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the body. 7-Keto® DHEA is a patented derivative of the hormone dehydroepiandrostenedione (DHEA) that can help support healthy hormone production and body composition in males and females.◆ Unlike DHEA, 7-keto-DHEA does not convert into hormones like androgen and estrogen. Contrarily, 7-Keto DHEA does not convert into the sex steroids, meaning it can have many of the benefits of DHEA, such as healthy energy levels and mood, without unwanted hormonal side effects.◆
How 7-Keto-DHEA Works
Early studies have suggested that DHEA prevents fat gain in mice due to its thermogenic, or heat-producing, properties. Thermogenesis is the process by which your body burns calories to produce heat. One test-tube study found that 7-keto-DHEA was two-and-a-half times more thermogenic than its parent compound DHEA. This finding led researchers to begin testing the thermogenic properties of 7-keto-DHEA in humans.
7-keto-DHEA has effects that might promote weight loss by speeding up the body's metabolism and converting more energy to heat instead of storing it as fat. 7-Keto DHEA works to help regulate the body’s production of key hormones such as thyronine (T3) and cortisol without directly altering sex steroids.◆ In turn, this can help support healthy metabolism and body composition.◆ Moreover, DHEA has been shown to counter the actions of cortisol, which is the primary stress hormone in humans and is highly catabolic (breaks down tissues).◆7-Keto DHEA may also support levels of the thyroid hormone T3 (thyronine).◆ In turn, this can help support healthy metabolism and body composition.◆Given the importance of proper endocrine balance and function, individuals stand to benefit from 7-Keto DHEA in a variety of ways.
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Potential Benefits of 7-Keto-DHEA
7-Keto DHEA has a multitude of functions in the body, including, but not limited to: supporting metabolic rate, stress levels, body composition, and cognitive function.◆
Weight Loss and Metabolism
People take 7-keto-DHEA to speed up the metabolism and heat production to promote weight loss. Owing to its metabolism-boosting properties, 7-Keto may aid weight loss.
To date, only two studies have looked at the effects of 7-Keto on metabolism. In the first study, researchers randomized people who were overweight to receive a supplement containing 100 mg of 7-Keto or a placebo for eight weeks. While the group receiving the 7-Keto supplement lost significantly more weight than those given a placebo, there was no difference in basal metabolic rate (BMR) between the two groups. Basal metabolic rate is the number of calories your body needs to perform basic functions that sustain life, such as breathing and circulating blood.
However, in another study, 7-Keto was found to increase the resting metabolic rate (RMR) of people who were overweight. RMR is less accurate than BMR at estimating the number of calories your body needs to sustain life, but it’s still a useful measure of metabolism. The study found that 7-Keto not only prevented the decrease in metabolism that’s normally associated with a reduced-calorie diet but also increased metabolism by 1.4% above baseline levels. This translated to an extra 96 calories burned per day - or 672 calories per week. Yet, differences in weight loss between the two groups were insignificant, likely because the study lasted only seven days. While these results suggest that 7-Keto may have the potential to increase metabolism, more research is needed.
In one eight-week study in 30 overweight people on a calorie-restricted diet who exercised three days per week, those receiving 200 mg per day of 7-Keto lost 6.3 pounds (2.88 kg), compared to a 2.1-pounds (0.97-kg) weight loss in the placebo group. In a similar study in overweight people, researchers looked at the effects of a supplement containing 7-keto-DHEA combined with seven other ingredients thought to have an additive effect on 7-keto-DHEA. While all participants adhered to a reduced-calorie diet and exercised three days per week, those who received the supplement lost significantly more weight (4.8 pounds or 2.2 kg) than people in the placebo group (1.6 pounds or 0.72 kg). Yet, it’s unclear whether this effect can be attributed to 7-Keto alone.
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Other Potential Uses
People take 7-keto-DHEA for obesity, muscle strength, anxiety, depression, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety and Side Effects
7-Keto is likely safe and has a low risk of serious side effects. One study showed that the supplement was well-tolerated in men at doses up to 200 mg per day for four weeks. Most 7-keto-DHEA supplements on the market contain 100 mg per serving and commonly recommend taking two servings per day with food. Other studies in both men and women have found some adverse effects, including heartburn, metallic taste and nausea.
A safety study in humans has shown that 7-KETO did not raise estrogen or testosterone levels or produce any other negative effects at levels up to 200 mg per day for eight weeks.2 Short-term animal studies also revealed no adverse effects with large amounts of 7-KETO.3, 4, 5 However, the long-term safety of 7-KETO for humans has not been demonstrated, and, because it is chemically related to steroid hormones, the potential for adverse effects must be considered. In addition, the increase in T3 levels resulting from taking 7-KETO could, in theory, produce adverse effects on the heart or promote bone loss. As of the last update, we found no reported interactions between this supplement and medicines. It is possible that unknown interactions exist. If you take medication, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a new supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.
When taken by mouth: 7-keto-DHEA is possibly safe when used for up to 8 weeks. It seems to be well tolerated when used short-term.
Special Precautions and Warnings
When taken by mouth: 7-keto-DHEA is possibly safe when used for up to 8 weeks. It seems to be well tolerated when used short-term.
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Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if 7-keto-DHEA is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for 7-Keto-DHEA overview.
Banned by WADA
7-keto-DHEA supplements have been suggested to trigger positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs. As such, the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) has listed the supplement as a prohibited anabolic agent. WADA is responsible for the World Anti-Doping Code, which provides a framework for anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sports organizations. To date, more than 660 sports organizations, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), have implemented this code. Thus, if you’re involved in sports and subject to performance-enhancing drug tests, you should avoid taking 7-keto-DHEA supplements.
Potential Hormonal Effects When Used as a Gel
While 7-Keto does not affect hormone levels in your body when taken as an oral supplement, it may influence them if applied to the skin as a gel. Several studies have shown that when applied to the skin, 7-Keto can affect sex hormones, cholesterol and thyroid function in men. It remains unknown how 7-Keto gel affects women. For safety reasons, consult with your doctor or pharmacist before trying 7-Keto as a gel.
Dosage
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of 7-keto-DHEA might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.