Raymond Peat, MA, PhD (Univ. of Oregon), Endocrine Physiologist, specializing in hormonal changes in stress and aging Raymond Peat, MA, PhD (Univ. of Oregon), 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, 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. Bei einem gesunden, jungen Menschen oder Tier weist die Zufuhr von selbst einer hohen Dosis Pregnenolon keine hormon- oununterbrochenender drogenähnlichen Wirkungen auf. Es ist auf diese Weise einzigartig. Aber wenn der Mensch oder das Tier unter Stress leidet und mehr Cortison als gewöhnlich produziert, sorgt die Gabe von Pregnenolon dafür, dass das Cortison auf seinen normalen Spiegel sinkt. Nach dem Alter von 40 oder 45 befindet sich scheinbar jeder einfach im Zuge des normalen Alterungsprozesses in einem ununterbrochenen "Stresszustand". Das geht mit der geringeren Fähigkeit des Körpers einher, einen Überfluss von Pregnenolon herzustellen.
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. Wenn alternden Ratten Pregnenolon zugeführt wird, steigert es sofort ihr Gedächtnis und ihre allgemeine Leistung. Studien zu Menschen demonstrierten bereits in den 1940er Jahren eine gesteigerte Leistung bei alltäglichen Aufgaben. Es ist mittlerweile bekannt, dass Pregnenolon eines der wichtigsten Hormone im Gehirn ist. Es wird von bestimmten Gehirnzellen produziert und wird zudem vom Gehirn aus dem Blut aufgenommen. Es schützt Gehirnzellen vor durch Erschöpfung hervorgerufenen Verletzungen und eine ausreichende Menge wirkt beruhigend auf die Emotionen. Gerade diese Wirkung erklärt zumindest zum Teil, warum es uns vor der Stressreaktion schützt, die zu einer erhöhten Cortisonproduktion führt. Es führt zu einer subjektiven Wahrnehmung von Belastbarkeit und der Fähigkeit, sich Herausforderungen stellen zu können.
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. Es wurde von vielen Personen bemerkt, dass Pregnenolon eine Gesichtsstraffungswirkung hat. Diese Wirkung scheint durch eine verbesserte Durchblutung der Haut hervorgerufen zu werden, sowie durch die tatsächliche Anspannung einiger muskelähnlichen Zellen in der Haut. Eine ähnliche Wirkung kann bei einer Arthrose die Mobilität der Gelenke verbesser, sowie die Elastizität des Lungengewebes oder sogar die Sehkraft. Es wurde in vielen Studien gezeigt, dass es allgemein vor "fibrotischen Geweben" schützt, und in diesem Zusammenhang wurde bewiesen, dass es den Tumoren vorbeugen kann, die durch Östrogen verursacht werden können.
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. Pregnenolon wird größtenteils in zwei andere "Jungend-assoziierte", schützende Hormone umgewandelt, nämlich Progesteron und DHEA. Sowohl Männer als auch Frauen im Alter von 30 Jahren stellen ungefähr 30 bis 50 mg Pregnenolon täglich. Bei einer oralen Zufuhr, selbst in Pulverform, wird es relativ gut aufgenommen. Eine Dosis von ca. 300 mg (der Größe einer Aspirin-Tabelette) wirkt ungefähr eine Woche lang, während es entlang des Verdauungstraktes weiter aufgenommen und im Körper "wiederverwertet" wird. Diese lang anhaltende hat es teilweise der Eigenschaft zu verdanken, dass es dem Körper dabei hilft, sein eigenes Pregnenolon zu produzieren. Es neigt dazu, die Schilddrüsenfunktion zu fördern sowie die anderer Drüsen, und diese "normalisierende" Wirkung auf andere Drüsen hilft dabei, das breite Spektrum seiner positiven Wirkungen zu erklären.
Raymond Peat, MA, PhD (Univ. of Oregon), Endocrine Physiologist Raymond Peat, MA, PhD (Univ. of Oregon), Endokriner Physiologe
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