DHEA, Pregnenolone and the DHEA to Cortisol Ratio in Longevity Wellness and the Protection and Optimization of Cognitive Function

Summary

This episode (#12) continues the overview of neurosteroids and their critical function in the protection and enhancement of cognitive function.

In episode #11, I reviewed the role of “Testosterone, Progesterone and Allopregnanolone—Critical and Timely Neurosteroid Interventions in the Risk Reduction of Alzheimer's Disease.”, and this podcast will add DHEA and pregnenolone to that overview.

The focus today will center around the pressing fact that the declines of steroid hormones such as DHEA and pregnenolone have pronounced effects on brain and longevity wellness.

DHEA, pregnenolone, estrogen and progesterone and other hormones in anti-aging therapies has long been sought after by people striving for an increased quality of life and the enhancement of a more youthful vitality.

Additionally, age-related decline of DHEA, and abnormal cortisol levels, have long been associated with and increased risk for numerous health disorders including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, depression, and cognitive decline and dementia.

Plus, in the brain chronic stress and excess cortisol patterns is linked to the demise of newly formed brain cells and the inhibition of a critical phenomenon associated with it—neurogenesis, in a key learning and memory center—the hippocampus.

The inhibition of neurogenesis (the generation of new brain cells) by excess cortisol is a significant risk associated with brain and hippocampal shrinkage, and the depression and dementia associated with prolonged stress patterns.

On the other hand, low cortisol in aging individuals is linked to memory problems and depression as normal cortisol function in the brain is in fact required for cortisol activation of glucocorticoid receptors and memory acquisition and consolidation.

Optimizing pathways that promote neurogenesis and neuroplasticity as we age is vital to longevity wellness and healthy cognitive function.

The generation and development of new nerve cells such as neurons in the brain, or neurogenesis, occurs throughout one’s lifetime and is perhaps the most critical phenomenon associated with modifying the risk for cognitive decline and dementia in aging.

Many studies have shown that higher levels of neurosteroids such as DHEA, and allopregnanolone that is metabolized from progesterone and pregenenolone, induce neurogenesis and are protective against memory decline associated with normal aging and Alzheimer's disease.

In this episode I also describe the role of DHEA and pregnenolone in modulating key synaptic receptors—NMDA, AMPA and GABA, which is a key dynamic in modulating calcium-related excitotoxicity.

Excitotoxicity is a hallmark pathological insult linked to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

DHEA, pregnenolone and their sulfated forms—DHEAS and Pregnenolone sulfate (PREGS), are protective factors against excitotoxic events.

Both DHEA and pregnenolone and their derivatives also provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant protection and counter beta-amyloid induced neurotoxicity.

There is more so please listen in to get the rest of this essential overview on neuroteroids in longevity wellness and the protection against cognitive decline and the risk for dementia.

God bless!

Ralph Sanchez, MTCM, CNS, D.Hom

https://www.TheAlzheimersSolution.com

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