Centre for Optimum Health

Dhea  or 7 Keto DHEA – Can it make a Difference?                            

Clearing up information regarding the utilization of DHEA or 7Keto DHEA which is a necessary hormone made by the adrenal glands and that you need to know their differences. 

Why should you be interested?

The way we handle stress has a lot to do with our type of personality as well as our genetics.  Even those that proclaim to be okay and feel they are not affected by external stress suffer from more of the invisible, internal imbalances.  Some just have a hard time admitting anything that has to do with the word stress. 

So, if you feel that you are free of emotional and mental stress let your Anti-Aging Doctor prove that your body stress is in balance also.  They are able to do this through specific blood work and saliva testing.  Your traditional doctor may not offer any help in this matter as it does not fall under the usual look see areas.

Adrenal Fatigue and Cortisol Levels seem to be the new kids on the block and are at the base of all our ailments.  The other hormone produced by the adrenal glands and depressed by stress is DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone).  DHEA is considered the most abundant of all the steroid hormones and is commonly referred to as The Anti-Aging hormone.  As we age, the production of cortisol rises and the DHEA decreases which leaves us more likely to experience heart disease, depressions, weight problems, cancer and diabetes.

What does DHEA do?

• ·         Bone Building (stimulates osteoblasts)
• ·         Skin renewal (fibroblasts)
• ·         Protects the Brain from aging decline (neurotransmitter production)
• ·         Regulates  and supports Immune Function
• ·         Low levels can be associated with Impotence
• ·         Increases Muscle Mass
• ·         Reduces high levels of Cortisol
• ·         Lowers Triglyceride Levels
• ·         Enhances Thermogenics
• ·         Increases Conversion of Stored Fat to Energy

What are the benefits of balancing the levels of DHEA?

• ·         Enhanced Energy and Relieves Fatigue
• ·         Improvement in handling stress
• ·         Better Moods
• ·         More relaxed
• ·         Better Sleep
• ·         Enhanced Memory
• ·         Helps Depression
• ·         Reduces Inflammation (arthritis, lupus)
• ·         Improves Gut Issues
• ·         Helps Balance Thyroid
• ·         Helps overcome Insulin Resistance
• ·         Fights Allergic Reactions
• ·         Cholesterol Reduction

The 7-Keto DHEA is a non-toxic version of DHEA.  It declines with age and can be a major culprit in the later part of life.  Urinary excretion studies show a 50% loss by age 50.  Upping your level of 7-Keto DHEA helps prevent and improves many signs of aging. 

It is a natural metabolite or converted form of DHEA and is unable to be utilized to make Testosterone or Estrogen.  The 7-Keto DHEA is also better at promoting loss of stored fat.  In an article by Dave Tuttle, May 2005 Life Extension wrote about how when 7-Keto DHEA is low that age-related declines in cellular immunity have an impaired response to flu vaccine, making them susceptible to catching the flu, even after flu shots.

DHEA is a very important component that is rarely acknowledged in traditional medicine.  Your doctor may look at a DHEAS which is the sulphated level in blood tests, find it to be too low and not know what to do with it. Over the counter supplements can help but please do it with guidance.  Low DHEA, like low Thyroid hormone, is a major marker of Aging and is necessary in our bodies.

What Time of Day Should DHEA or 7-Keto DHEA Be Taken?

Take all amounts in the AM hours with or without food as the body’s natural production of DHEA peaks in the morning.  If you take it at night you may stimulate your brain activity and experience bouts of insomnia.

If you or someone you love relates to any of the above indicators, don’t hesitate to pursue knowing your DHEA levels.  I suggest you find a specialist in the area of Anti-aging, Regenerative and Functional Medicine as they will listen, test and advise what would be the best bio-identical direction for you to achieve Optimal Health

Alpha Spa Bed for sleep help

Sleep Help? Great Idea

Humans are definitely programmed for daytime activity and for rest at night.   A large portion of the adult population suffer from difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or early awakening.

Sleep help is a necessity as sleep is not a luxury.  It is an important component of your health.  Most people spend the majority of their time indoors, which allows limited exposure to natural light.  Electric lighting is generally sufficient to allow for normal visual perception but it does not adequately support normal neuro-endocrine rhythms such as circadian rhythms.  Very few night workers experience restful or restorative daytime sleep because of the imbalance in their rhythms.

Why we may need sleep help.

Many people are unaware of the potentially grave health effects of inadequate amounts of sleep.  Major illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity  are linked to insomnia.  Psychological problems that can be linked to decreased work efficiency require some type of stress treatment as the lack of sleep over stimulates the sympathetic
nervous system, setting the stage for these to progress.

Anti Aging is our goal yet sleep disorders are continually playing a role in chronic conditions that lead to obesity, hypertension, elevated evening cortisol levels, impaired glucose control and increased inflammation.

Insufficient sleep and night time working can affect the frequency and amount of hormonal secretions and cause imbalances in cortisol, melatonin, growth hormone and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).  Melatonin reduces core body temperature and causes sleepiness and light at night increases body temperature, alertness and performance.

Adult Aging  comes with medical conditions that can effect our sleep, such as allergies, arthritis, cancer, fibromyalgia, prostate enlargement, hot flashes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, hyperthyroidism, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and leg cramps.

Chronic stress and unhealthy lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise, irregular eating, poor sleep habits, excessive consumption of caffeine or alcohol and smoking all are triggers for insomnia.  Some may feel alcohol promotes sleep but a few hours later you experience wakefulness.  Computer work as well as environmental factors like noise, bright light and too much heat cause disturbance and fragmented sleep as well.

How do we get the sleep help we need to change this pattern?

There are many over-the-counter products sold and some may work for a short period of time.  There are medications that offer many residual symptoms that may be uncomfortable or inappropriate for your lifestyle.  You could meditate, medicate or count sheep. You can even find a practitioner that has an Alpha 2010 Bed that helps reduce the effects of lack of sleep.  Many people try a twenty minute nap session during their lunch breaks.   If you don’t get to the cause of the problem….you still have it months or years later.

Treatments health practitioners offer need to help you balance in all areas of your life.  Effective management needs to be directed at the cause.  It’s important to find someone knowledgeable in the use of supplements, hormone balancing, life style habits, eating and emotional balance.  Achieving restful sleep is critically important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and protecting yourself against disease.