+ PROGESTERONE INFORMATION + INFORMATION ZU PROGESTERON +
+ ++ + Raymond Peat, MA, PhD (Univ. of Oregon) + + + Raymond Peat, MA, PhD (Univ. of Oregon) + +
+ ++ + Endocrine Physiologist, specializing in hormonal changes in stress and aging + + + Endokriner Physiologe, mit Schwerpunkt Stress- und Alterungs-bedingte hormonelle Veränderungen + +
+ ++ + Sixty years ago, progesterone was found to be the main hormone produced by the ovaries. Since it was + necessary for fertility and for maintaining a healthy pregnancy, it was called the "pro-gestational + hormone," and its name sometimes leads people to think that it isn't needed when you don't want to get + pregnant. In fact, it is the most protective hormone the body produces, and the large amounts that are + produced during pregnancy result from the developing baby's need for protection from the stressful + environment. Normally, the brain contains a very high concentration of progesterone, reflecting its + protective function for that most important organ. The thymus gland, the key organ of our immune system, is + also profoundly dependent on progesterone. + + + Vor sechzig Jahren wurde entdeckt, dass Progesteron das wichtigste Hormon, das von den Eierstöcken hergestellt + wird. Da es erkannt wurde, dass es für die Fruchtbarkeit nötig ist, sowie für die Aufrechterhaltung einer + gesunden Schwangerschaft, wurde es das "Pro-Gestations-Hormon" genannt, und sein Name lässt manchmal glauben, + dass es nicht vonnöten ist, wenn man keine Schwangerschaft möchte. Tatsächlich ist es eines der schützendsten + Hormone, die vom Körper hergestellt werden, und die großen Mengen, die während einer Schwangerschaft + ausgeschüttet werden, sind auf das hohe Bedürfnis des Säuglings zurückzuführen, Schutz gegen seine stressvolle + Umgebung zu haben. Normalerweise enthält das Gehirn eine sehr hohe Konzentration an Progesteron, was dessen + schützende Wirkung auf das wichstige Organ widerspiegelt. + +
+ ++ + In experiments, progesterone was found to be the basic hormone of adaptation and of resistance to stress. + The adrenal glands use it to produce their anti-stress hormones, and when there is enough progesterone, they + don't have to produce the potentially harmful cortisone. In a progesterone deficiency, we produce too much + cortisone, and excessive cortisone causes osteoporosis, aging of the skin, damage to brain cells, and the + accumulation of fat, especially on the back and abdomen. + + + In Experimenten wurde gezeigt, dass Progesteron ein grundlegendes Adaptations- und Resistenzhormon gegen Stress + ist. Die Nebennieren nutzen es, um deren Antistress-Hormone herzustellen, und wenn genügend Progesteron + vorhanden ist, müssen sie das potentiell schädliche Cortison produzieren. Bei einem Progesteronmangel + produzieren wir zu viel Cortison, und ein Cortisonüberschuss verursacht Osteoporose, Alterung der Haut, + Schädigung der Gehirnzellen, und die Ansammlung von Fett, vor allem am Rücken und am Bauch. + +
++ + Experiments have shown that progesterone relieves anxiety, improves memory, protects brain cells, and even + prevents epileptic seizures. It promotes respiration, and has been used to correct emphysema. In the + circulatory system, it prevents bulging veins by increasing the tone of blood vessels, and improves the + efficiency of the heart. It reverses many of the signs of aging in the skin, and promotes healthy bone + growth. It can relieve many types of arthritis, and helps a variety of immunological problems. + + + Experimente zeigten, dass Progesteron Angstzustände lindert, das Gedächtnis fördert, die Gehirnzellen schützt, + und sogar epileptische Anfälle verhindert. Es fördert die Atmung, und wurde als wirksames Mittel gegen Emphysem + eingesetzt. Im Kreislaufsystem verhindert es hervortretende Adern, indem es den Tonus der Blutgefäße erhöht, und es + verbessert die Leistungsfähigkeit des Herzens. Es kehrt viele der Anzeichen des Alterns in der Haut um und + fördert gesundes Knochenwachstum. Es kann viele Arten von Arthrose entlasten und hilft bei einer Vielzahl von + immunologischen Problemen. + +
++ + If progesterone is taken dissolved in vitamin E, it is absorbed very efficiently, and distributed quickly to + all of the tissues. If a woman has ovaries, progesterone helps them to produce both progesterone and + estrogen as needed, and also helps to restore normal functioning of the thyroid and other glands. If her + ovaries have been removed, progesterone should be taken consistently to replace the lost supply. A + progesterone deficiency has often been associated with increased susceptibility to cancer, and progesterone + has been used to treat some types of cancer. + + + Wenn Progesteron in einer Lösung mit Vitamin E zugeführt wird, wird es sehr effizient aufgenommen, und wird + schnell an alle Körpergewebe abgegeben. Sollte eine Frau Eierstöcke haben, hilft ihnen Progesteron dabei, + sowohol Progesteron selber als auch Östrogen bei Bedarf zu produzieren, und hilft auch, eine normale + Funktionsweise der Schilddrüse sowie der anderen Drüsen wiederherzustellen. Sollten ihre Eierstöcke entfernt + worden sein, sollte Progesteron konsequent eingenommen werden um die fehlende Versorgung zu ersetzen. Ein + Progesteronmangel wurde oft mit einer erhöhtem Krebsrisiko assoziiert und Progesteron wurde oft bei einer + Krebsbehandlung eingesetzt. + +
++ + It is important to emphasize that progesterone is not just the hormone of pregnancy. To use it only "to + protect the uterus" would be like telling a man he doesn't need testosterone if he doesn't plan to father + children, except that progesterone is of far greater and more basic significance than testosterone. While + men do naturally produce progesterone, and can sometimes benefit from using it, it is not a male hormone. + Some people get that impression, because some physicians recommend combining estrogen with either + testosterone or progesterone, to protect against some of estrogen's side effects, but progesterone is the + body's natural complement to estrogen. Used alone, progesterone often makes it unnecessary to use estrogen + for hot flashes or insomnia, or other symptoms of menopause. + + + Es ist wichtig zu betonen, dass Progesteron nicht einfach nur ein Schwangerschaftshormon ist. Es "nur zu + verwenden, um die Gebärmutter zu schützen", wäre, als würde man einem Mann erzählen, er würde Testosteron nicht + brauchen, wenn er keine Kinderpläne haben sollte, außer dass Progesteron eine viel größere, grundlegende + Bedeutung als Testosteron hat. Obwohl Männer auch natürlicherweise Progesteron produzieren, + und manchmal von dessen Gebrauch profitieren, ist es kein männliches Hormon. Einige Leute bekommen diesen + Eindruck, weil einige Ärzte empfehlen, Östrogen mit entweder Testosteron oder Progesteron zu kombinieren, um vor + einigen der Nebeneffekte von Östrogen zu schützen, aber Progesteron ist das natürliche Gegenstück des Körpers zu + Östrogen. Der isolierte Einsatz von Progesteron sorgt oft dafür, dass der Gebrauch von Östrogen als Mittel gegen + Hitzewallungen oder Schlaflosigkeit, oder andere Wechseljahrsbeschwerden, unnötig wird. + +
++ + When dissolved in vitamin E, progesterone begins entering the blood stream almost as soon as it contacts any + membrane, such as the lips, tongue, gums, or palate, but when it is swallowed, it continues to be absorbed + as part of the digestive process. When taken with food, its absorption occurs at the same rate as the + digestion and absorption of the food. + + + In einer Lösung mit Vitamin E beginnt Progesteron, in die Blutbahn zu gelangen, kurz nachdem es ein Membran + berührt, zum Beispiel die Lippen, die Zunge, das Zahnfleisch, oder den Gaumen, aber wenn es verschluckt wird, + wird es kontinuierlich im Laufe des Verdauungsprozesses aufgenommen. Bei gleichzeitiger Einnahme mit Essen + findet die Aufnahme mit der gleichen Geschwindigkeit der Verdauung und Aufnahme des Essens statt. + +
++ PREGNENOLONE + PREGNENOLON +
++ + Pregnenolone, which is the raw material for producing many of the hormones of stress and adaptation, was + known as early as 1934, but for several years it was considered to be an "inert" substance. A reason for + this belief is that it was first tested on healthy young animals. Since these animals were already producing + large amounts of pregnenolone (in the brain, adrenal glands, and gonads), additional pregnenolone had no + effect. + + + Pregnenolon, das Rohmaterial zur Herstellung vieler der Hormone von Stress und Adaptation, ist seit frühestens + 1934 bekannt, aber es wurde einige Jahre als inaktive Substanz wahrgenommen. Ein Grund für diesen Glauben ist, + dass die ersten Versuche mit Pregnenolon mit gesunden Jungtieren waren. Da diese Tiere bereits hohe Mengen von + Pregnenolon produzierten (und zwar im Gehirn, in den Nebennieren und in den Gonaden), war die zusätzliche Gabe + von Pregnenolon wirkungslos. + +
+ ++ + In the 1940s, pregnenolone was tested in people who were sick or under stress, and it was found to have a + wide range of beneficial actions, but the drug industry never had much interest in it. Its very generality + made it seem unlike a drug, and its natural occurrence made it impossible to patent. Thus, many synthetic + variants, each with a more specialized action and some serious side effects, came to be patented and + promoted for use in treating specific conditions. The drug companies created an atmosphere in which many + people felt that each disease should have a drug, and each drug, a disease. The side effects of some of + those synthetic hormones were so awful that many people came to fear them. For example, synthetic varieties + of "cortisone" can destroy immunity, and can cause osteoporosis, diabetes, and rapid aging, with loss of + pigment in the skin and hair, and extreme thinning of the skin. + + + In den 1940er Jahren wurde Pregnenolon an Personen getestet, die entweder krank oder gestresst waren, und es + wurde herausgefunden, dass es über eine breite Palette von positiven Wirkungen verfügt, aber die Pharmaindustrie + hatte nie irgendein besonderes Interesse daran. Gerade seine Allgemeingültigkeit sorgte dafür, dass es kaum wie + eine Droge wirkte, und es war aufgrund seines natürlichen Vorkommens unmöglich, es zu patentieren. + Dementsprechend wurden viele synthetische Varianten, jede mit seiner spezialisierten Wirkung und einigen + schwerwiegenden Nebeneffekten, patentiert und als Gegenmittel spezifischer Krankheiten vermarktet. Die + Pharmaunternehmen schufen eine Atmosphäre, in der viele Leute das Gefühl hatten, dass jede Krankheit eine Droge + haben müsste, und jede Droge eine Krankheit. Die Nebeneffekte einiger dieser synthetischen Hormone waren so + schrecklich, dass viele mit der Zeit Angst vor ihnen bekamen. Zum Beispiel können synthetische Varianten von + "Cortison" die Immunität zerstören und Osteoporose, Diabetes, und schnelles Altern verursachen, mit dem Verlust + von Haut- und Haarpigmentierung, und extremer Verdünnung der Haut. + +
++ + Natural pregnenolone is present in young people of both sexes at a very high concentration, and one reason + for the large amount produced in youth is that it is one of our basic defenses against the harmful side + effects that an imbalance of even our natural hormones can produce. In excess, natural cortisone or estrogen + can be dangerous, but when there is an abundance of pregnenolone, their side effects are prevented or + minimized. + + + Natürliches Pregnenolon ist in jungen Menschen beider Geschlechter in hohen Konzentrationen vorhanden, und eine + Grund für die hohe Menge, die während der Jugend produziert wird, ist, dass es uns einen grundlegenden Schutz + gegen die schädlichen Nebeneffekten biete, die von einem Ungleichgewicht selbst unserer eigenen natürlichen Hormone + hervorgerufen werden können. Ein Überschuss natürlichen Cortisons oder Östrogens kann schädlich sein, aber wenn + ein Überfluss von Pregnenolon besteht, werden diese Nebeneffekte verhindert oder minimiert. + +
++ + In a healthy young person or animal, taking even a large dose of pregnenolone has no hormone-like or + drug-like action at all. It is unique in this way. But if the animal or person is under stress, and + producing more cortisone than usual, taking pregnenolone causes the cortisone to come down to the normal + level. After the age of 40 or 45, it seems that everyone lives in a state of continuous "stress," just as a + normal part of aging. This coincides with the body's decreased ability to produce an abundance of + pregnenolone. + + + In a healthy young person or animal, taking even a large dose of pregnenolone has no hormone-like or + drug-like action at all. It is unique in this way. But if the animal or person is under stress, and + producing more cortisone than usual, taking pregnenolone causes the cortisone to come down to the normal + level. After the age of 40 or 45, it seems that everyone lives in a state of continuous "stress," just as a + normal part of aging. This coincides with the body's decreased ability to produce an abundance of + pregnenolone. + +
++ + When aging rats are given a supplement of pregnenolone, it immediately improves their memory and general + performance. Human studies, as early as the 1940s, have also demonstrated improved performance of ordinary + tasks. It is now known that pregnenolone is one of the major hormones in the brain. It is produced by + certain brain cells, as well as being absorbed into the brain from the blood. It protects brain cells from + injury caused by fatigue, and an adequate amount has a calming effect on the emotions, which is part of the + reason that it protects us from the stress response that leads to an excessive production of cortisone. + People feel a mood of resilience and an ability to confront challenges. + + + When aging rats are given a supplement of pregnenolone, it immediately improves their memory and general + performance. Human studies, as early as the 1940s, have also demonstrated improved performance of ordinary + tasks. It is now known that pregnenolone is one of the major hormones in the brain. It is produced by + certain brain cells, as well as being absorbed into the brain from the blood. It protects brain cells from + injury caused by fatigue, and an adequate amount has a calming effect on the emotions, which is part of the + reason that it protects us from the stress response that leads to an excessive production of cortisone. + People feel a mood of resilience and an ability to confront challenges. + +
++ + Many people have noticed that pregnenolone has a "face-lifting" action. This effect seems to be produced by + improved circulation to the skin, and by an actual contraction of some muscle-like cells in the skin. A + similar effect can improve joint mobility in arthritis, tissue elasticity in the lungs, and even eyesight. + Many studies have shown it to be protective of "fibrous tissues" in general, and in this connection it was + proven to prevent the tumors that can be caused by estrogen. + + + Many people have noticed that pregnenolone has a "face-lifting" action. This effect seems to be produced by + improved circulation to the skin, and by an actual contraction of some muscle-like cells in the skin. A + similar effect can improve joint mobility in arthritis, tissue elasticity in the lungs, and even eyesight. + Many studies have shown it to be protective of "fibrous tissues" in general, and in this connection it was + proven to prevent the tumors that can be caused by estrogen. + +
++ + Pregnenolone is largely converted into two other "youth-associated" protective hormones, progesterone and + DHEA. At the age of 30, both men and women produce roughly 30 to 50 mg. of pregnenolone daily. When taken + orally, even in the powdered form, it is absorbed fairly well. One dose of approximately 300 mg (the size of + an aspirin tablet) keeps acting for about a week, as absorption continues along the intestine, and as it is + "recycled" in the body. Part of this long lasting effect is because it improves the body's ability to + produce its own pregnenolone. It tends to improve function of the thyroid and other glands, and this + "normalizing" effect on the other glands helps to account for its wide range of beneficial effects. + + + Pregnenolone is largely converted into two other "youth-associated" protective hormones, progesterone and + DHEA. At the age of 30, both men and women produce roughly 30 to 50 mg. of pregnenolone daily. When taken + orally, even in the powdered form, it is absorbed fairly well. One dose of approximately 300 mg (the size of + an aspirin tablet) keeps acting for about a week, as absorption continues along the intestine, and as it is + "recycled" in the body. Part of this long lasting effect is because it improves the body's ability to + produce its own pregnenolone. It tends to improve function of the thyroid and other glands, and this + "normalizing" effect on the other glands helps to account for its wide range of beneficial effects. + +
+DHEA: ANOTHER YOUTH-ASSOCIATED HORMONE
++ + Raymond Peat, MA, PhD (Univ. of Oregon) + + + Raymond Peat, MA, PhD (Univ. of Oregon) + +
++ + Endocrine Physiologist + + + Endocrine Physiologist + +
++ + DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) has a technical-sounding name because it has never been identified with a + single dominant function, in spite of its abundance in the body. Many researchers still think of it as a + substance produced by the adrenal glands, but experiments show that animals without adrenals are able to + produce it in normal amounts. Much of it is formed in the brain (from pregnenolone), but it is probably + produced in other organs, including the skin. The brain contains a much higher concentration of DHEA than + the blood does. + + + DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) has a technical-sounding name because it has never been identified with a + single dominant function, in spite of its abundance in the body. Many researchers still think of it as a + substance produced by the adrenal glands, but experiments show that animals without adrenals are able to + produce it in normal amounts. Much of it is formed in the brain (from pregnenolone), but it is probably + produced in other organs, including the skin. The brain contains a much higher concentration of DHEA than + the blood does. + +
++ + In old age, we produce only about 5% as much as we do in youth. This is about the same decrease that occurs + with progesterone and pregnenolone. The other hormones (for example, cortisone) do not decrease so much; as + a result, our balance shifts continually during aging toward dominance by hormones such as cortisone, which + use up more and more body substance, without rebuilding it. Protection against the toxic actions of these + specialized hormones is a major function of DHEA and the other youth-associated hormones. + + + In old age, we produce only about 5% as much as we do in youth. This is about the same decrease that occurs + with progesterone and pregnenolone. The other hormones (for example, cortisone) do not decrease so much; as + a result, our balance shifts continually during aging toward dominance by hormones such as cortisone, which + use up more and more body substance, without rebuilding it. Protection against the toxic actions of these + specialized hormones is a major function of DHEA and the other youth-associated hormones. + +
+ ++ + For example, starvation, aging, and stress cause the skin to become thin and fragile. An excess of + cortisone--whether it is from medical treatment, or from stress, aging, or malnutrition--does the same + thing. Material from the skin is dissolved to provide nutrition for the more essential organs. Other organs, + such as the muscles and bones, dissolve more slowly, but just as destructively, under the continued + influence of cortisone. DHEA blocks these destructive effects of cortisone, and actively restores the normal + growth and repair processes to those organs, strengthening the skin and bones and other organs. Stimulation + of bone-growth by DHEA has been demonstrated in vitro (in laboratory tests), and it has been used to relieve + many symptoms caused by osteoporosis and arthritis, even when applied topically in an oily solution. + + + For example, starvation, aging, and stress cause the skin to become thin and fragile. An excess of + cortisone--whether it is from medical treatment, or from stress, aging, or malnutrition--does the same + thing. Material from the skin is dissolved to provide nutrition for the more essential organs. Other organs, + such as the muscles and bones, dissolve more slowly, but just as destructively, under the continued + influence of cortisone. DHEA blocks these destructive effects of cortisone, and actively restores the normal + growth and repair processes to those organs, strengthening the skin and bones and other organs. Stimulation + of bone-growth by DHEA has been demonstrated in vitro (in laboratory tests), and it has been used to relieve + many symptoms caused by osteoporosis and arthritis, even when applied topically in an oily solution. + +
++ + Estrogen is known to produce a great variety of immunological defects, and DHEA, apparently by its balancing + and restorative actions, is able to correct some of those immunological defects, including some "autoimmune" + diseases. + + + Estrogen is known to produce a great variety of immunological defects, and DHEA, apparently by its balancing + and restorative actions, is able to correct some of those immunological defects, including some "autoimmune" + diseases. + +
++ + It is established that DHEA protects against cancer, but it isn't yet understood how it does this. It + appears to protect against the toxic cancer-producing effects of excess estrogen, but its anti-cancer + properties probably involve many other functions. + + + It is established that DHEA protects against cancer, but it isn't yet understood how it does this. It + appears to protect against the toxic cancer-producing effects of excess estrogen, but its anti-cancer + properties probably involve many other functions. + +
++ + Diabetes can be produced experimentally by certain poisons which kill the insulin-producing cells in the + pancreas. Rabbits were experimentally made diabetic, and when treated with DHEA their diabetes was cured. It + was found that the insulin-producing cells had regenerated. Many people with diabetes have used brewer's + yeast and DHEA to improve their sugar metabolism. In diabetes, very little sugar enters the cells, so + fatigue is a problem. DHEA stimulates cells to absorb sugar and to burn it, so it increases our general + energy level and helps to prevent obesity. + + + Diabetes can be produced experimentally by certain poisons which kill the insulin-producing cells in the + pancreas. Rabbits were experimentally made diabetic, and when treated with DHEA their diabetes was cured. It + was found that the insulin-producing cells had regenerated. Many people with diabetes have used brewer's + yeast and DHEA to improve their sugar metabolism. In diabetes, very little sugar enters the cells, so + fatigue is a problem. DHEA stimulates cells to absorb sugar and to burn it, so it increases our general + energy level and helps to prevent obesity. + +
++ + Young people produce about 12 to 15 milligrams of DHEA per day, and that amount decreases by about 2 mg. per + day for every decade after the age of 30. This is one of the reasons that young people eat more without + getting fat, and tolerate cold weather better: DHEA, like the thyroid hormone, increases our heat production + and ability to burn calories. At the age of 50, about 4 mg. of DHEA per day will usually restore the level + of DHEA in the blood to a youthful level. It is important to avoid taking more than needed, since some + people (especially if they are deficient in progesterone, pregnenolone, or thyroid) can turn the excess into + estrogen or testosterone, and large amounts of those sex hormones can disturb the function of the thymus + gland and the liver. + + + Young people produce about 12 to 15 milligrams of DHEA per day, and that amount decreases by about 2 mg. per + day for every decade after the age of 30. This is one of the reasons that young people eat more without + getting fat, and tolerate cold weather better: DHEA, like the thyroid hormone, increases our heat production + and ability to burn calories. At the age of 50, about 4 mg. of DHEA per day will usually restore the level + of DHEA in the blood to a youthful level. It is important to avoid taking more than needed, since some + people (especially if they are deficient in progesterone, pregnenolone, or thyroid) can turn the excess into + estrogen or testosterone, and large amounts of those sex hormones can disturb the function of the thymus + gland and the liver. + +
+ ++ + People who have taken an excess of DHEA have been found to have abnormally high estrogen levels, and this + can cause the liver to enlarge, and the thymus to shrink. + + + People who have taken an excess of DHEA have been found to have abnormally high estrogen levels, and this + can cause the liver to enlarge, and the thymus to shrink. + +
++ + One study has found that the only hormone abnormality in a groupt of Alzheimers patients' brains was an + excess of DHEA. In cell culture, DHEA can cause changes in glial cells resembling those seen in the aging + brain. These observations suggest that DHEA should be used with caution. Supplements of pregnenolone and + thyroid seem to be the safest way to optimize DHEA production. + + + One study has found that the only hormone abnormality in a groupt of Alzheimers patients' brains was an + excess of DHEA. In cell culture, DHEA can cause changes in glial cells resembling those seen in the aging + brain. These observations suggest that DHEA should be used with caution. Supplements of pregnenolone and + thyroid seem to be the safest way to optimize DHEA production. + +
++ + © Ray Peat 2006. All Rights Reserved. www.RayPeat.com + + + © Ray Peat 2006. All Rights Reserved. www.RayPeat.com + +