Pregnenolone | Vitasterone™

Properties: Pregnenolone is a natural precursor of most steroid hormones, including testosterone and estrogen. Although it is secreted in the human organism, its production decreases with age or as a consequence of chronic stress. Thus, the supplementation can reduce the menopause or andropause symptoms. What is more, some reports mention its positive impact on the severity of PMS-related ailments. In general, pregnenolone has the ability to prolong the deep sleep phase. This is important, because the growth hormone, which is responsible for restoration of cellular health, is actually secreted during this sleep phase. Therefore, the supplementation with pregnenolone supports the regeneration of the organism.

Further, this compound has a direct influence on the functioning of the brain – in small amounts it is even synthesized there! Its supplementation benefits the processes of new nerve cell formation and creating connections between them. Therefore, it leads to a significant improvement of cognitive abilities. It also has regulatory effects on the activity of important neurotransmitters, which for instance, increases the information transmission speed within the central nervous system. Lastly, the dependency between the low mood and a drop in blood pregnenolone level has been observed. Indeed, participants of clinical trials who supplemented this compound reported an improved mood and reduced stress. Yet, direct studies of this phenomenon are still awaited.

In cosmetics pregnenolone is applied in the form of esters. Synthetic ester derivatives of this compound include pregnenolone acetate and pregnenolone succinate. Pregnenolone acetate (3-acetate, pregn-5-en-3beta-ol-20-one) has anti-wrinkle and anti-aging properties. It improves the nourishment of the skin cells. Therefore, it is often found in cosmetics recommended for mature skin, especially in topical creams.  Pregnenolone succinate (pregnenolone hemisuccinate or pregn-5-en-3beta-ol-20-one 3beta-(hydrogen succinate)) has anti-inflammatory properties. In cosmetics, it is used as a medicine, mainly in topical creams for the treatment of skin diseases (allergies, itching, inflammation).

Occurrence: Pregnenolone is produced naturally in the human body by the adrenal glands, gonads and the brain.

Biochemistry: Pregnenolone is a compound from the group of steroid hormones. It is formed from cholesterol, and itself is converted into another steroid hormone: prasterone (i.e. dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA), and then into estrogens and testosterone. It is also a precursor to the “stress hormones” – cortisol and corticosterone.

Fun fact: The level of pregnenolone changes with age. In young women it can reach up to 230 ng/dl, whereas in young men – up to 200 ng/dl. However, in people over 60 years old its level drops significantly – to about 40 ng/dl.