7-Keto

What is 7-Keto?

7-Keto is a naturally occurring substance found in small amounts in human blood and tissues, including the brain. A derivative (or metabolite) of DHEA, 7-Keto provides many of the same health benefits as DHEA, without converting into sex hormones such as testosterone or estrogens.

Many initial studies concerning 7-Keto have focused on its ability to safely lower body weight and body fat. 7-Keto has been shown to promote lean muscle growth by reducing levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone—cortisol decreases total body energy and stimulates the breakdown of muscle cells. This same action enables 7-Keto to facilitate weight control since research confirms that higher blood levels of cortisol correspond to a greater intake of food, particularly high-fat foods.

In addition, 7-Keto has been shown to promote thermogenic (fat-burning) activity in animal studies—7-Keto activated thermogenic enzymes in the livers of rats, which caused them to lose weight without altering their food intake. Building on this research, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of overweight women found that 7-Keto noticeably increased T3 (triiodothyronine) activity—a thyroid hormone responsible for increasing basal metabolism. This study also found 7-Keto to be 3 times more effective than diet and exercise alone for reducing both body weight and body fat—such results rival many medications that have been clinically tested.

Although more research is needed to fully understand how 7-Keto stimulates T3 activity to induce weight-loss, it appears that 7-Keto acts as a modulator of the body’s weight “set point,” also known as the “adipostat.” This set point mechanism is believed to regulate fat stores in the body by altering the efficiency of metabolic processes and by influencing appetite and physical activity.

7-Keto’s apparent ability to enhance more youthful metabolic function and effect a corresponding downward shift in the weight set point may help to put an end to “yo-yo” dieting and rebound weight-gain.