7 Keto DHEA and DHEA are two forms of the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which naturally occurs in the body and plays a role in various physiological processes. Both compounds have gained attention for their potential health benefits, including support for metabolism, weight management, and hormone balance.
The key difference between 7 keto DHEA and DHEA is that DHEA is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland and is usually converted to androgen and estrogen, while 7 keto DHEA is a by-product of DHEA, which is not converted to steroid hormones such as androgen and estrogen.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is 7 Keto DHEA
3. What is DHEA
4. Similarities – 7 Keto DHEA and DHEA
5. 7 Keto DHEA vs DHEA in Tabular Form
6. Summary – 7 Keto DHEA vs DHEA
7. FAQ – 7 Keto DHEA and DHEA
What is 7 Keto DHEA?
7 keto DHEA is a drug taken by people for obesity, muscle strength, anxiety, depression, and other conditions such as aging skin, athletic performance, memory, Raynaud syndrome, etc. This is because 7 keto DHEA promotes weight loss by speeding up the body’s metabolism and converting more energy to heat rather than storing it as fat. 7 keto DHEA is generally safe when taken by the mouth. However, it can cause mild side effects such as nausea, dizziness, or low blood pressure in some people.
What is DHEA?
DHEA is usually made by the adrenal glands and by the liver. The level of this hormone is reduced when people get older. It also reduces in people who suffer from depression and after menopause. DHEA is particularly used as a prescription medication for vaginal tissue thinning, aging skin, depression, infertility, muscle strength, heart disease, erectile dysfunction (ED), and many other conditions. However, DHEA is banned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the International Olympic Committee, and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Figure 02: DHEA
DHEA is generally safe when it is used for the short term. However, it is possibly unsafe when used in high doses or in the long term. Side effects of DHEA are usually mild and include acne and upset stomach. It can also increase the risk of cancer when taken in high doses for the long term.
Similarities Between 7 Keto DHEA and DHEA
- 7 Keto DHEA and DHEA are two molecules related to each other.
- This is because 7 keto DHEA is produced from DHEA.
- Both have a wide range of uses.
- Both are safe when taken by mouth for the short term.
- They can cause side effects when they are used for the long term.
Difference Between 7 Keto DHEA and DHEA
Definition
- 7 Keto DHEA is derived from the parent hormone DHEA.
- DHEA is a parent hormone produced by the adrenal glands in the kidneys and by the liver.
Uses
- 7 Keto DHEA is used for various conditions such as obesity, muscle strength, anxiety, depression, aging skin, athletic performance, memory, and Raynaud syndrome.
- On the other hand, DHEA is used for vaginal tissue thinning, aging skin, depression, infertility, muscle strength, heart disease, erectile dysfunction (ED), and numerous other conditions.
Safety
- 7 Keto DHEA is considered to be safer than DHEA.
- DHEA is not as safe as 7 Keto DHEA.
Dosage
- The dosage for 7 Keto DHEA ranges from 10 mg to 200 mg twice daily for short-term use.
- The dosage for DHEA is typically 50 mg daily for short-term use.
Side Effects
- 7 Keto DHEA may cause mild side effects such as nausea, dizziness, or low blood pressure in some individuals.
- DHEA may lead to side effects such as acne, upset stomach, and an increased risk of cancer.
The infographic below presents the differences between 7 Keto DHEA and DHEA in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – 7 Keto DHEA vs DHEA
7 keto DHEA and DHEA are two associated molecules. The adrenal glands in the kidneys make DHEA. 7 keto DHEA is produced from DHEA. Both 7 keto DHEA and DHEA are used for weight loss, reducing memory loss, and decreasing the negative effects of inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. However, DHEA stimulates the production of sex hormones, while Keto DHEA cannot produce sex hormones. However, 7 keto DHEA may be safer as it avoids complications generally associated with DHEA. Thus, this summarizes the difference between 7 keto DHEA and DHEA.
FAQ: 7 Keto DHEA and DHEA
1. What is another name for 7-keto-DHEA?
- Other names for 7-keto-DHEA include 7-Ketodehydroepiandrosterone, 7-Oxodehydroepiandrosterone, 7-Ketoprasterone, 7-Oxoprasterone, 3β-Hydroxyandrost-5-ene-7,17-dione, and androst-5-en-3β-ol-7,17-dione.
2. What is keto DHEA used for?
- 7-keto-DHEA is purportedly used for obesity, muscle strength, anxiety, depression, aging skin, athletic performance, memory, and Raynaud syndrome, among other conditions. However, there is insufficient scientific evidence to support these uses.
3. What are the side effects of keto DHEA?
- 7-keto-DHEA is generally considered safe for short-term oral consumption. However, it may cause mild side effects such as nausea, dizziness, or low blood pressure in some individuals.
4. Does 7-keto-DHEA normally increase muscle strength?
- 7-keto-DHEA is commonly used to accelerate metabolism and heat production for weight loss purposes. It may also be used to enhance lean body mass, boost muscle strength, stimulate thyroid gland activity, improve immune function, enhance memory, and slow aging.
5. What are the different types of DHEA?
- DHEA is available in various forms, including tablets, capsules, tinctures, powders, and topical creams. These products can be purchased online, at drugstores, or nutritional supplement stores. However, higher doses of DHEA should be obtained through prescription.
Reference:
1. “7-Keto-DHEA: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews.” WebMD.
2. “DHEA: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews.” WebMD.
Image Courtesy:
1. “DHEA synthesis” By Aschwole – chemdraw (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia