Category: Aging

Are you feeling tired, stressed, and overwhelmed by the challenges of life? You might be experiencing the effects of adrenal fatigue and hormone imbalances. But don’t worry; there is a natural solution that can help you feel smarter, happier, and more energetic – pregnenolone.

Pregnenolone, the hormone precursor you may not have heard of, is like the conductor of an orchestra, orchestrating the harmonious performance of your body’s hormones. Let’s dive into the world of pregnenolone, its incredible benefits, and how it might just be the key to rejuvenating your quality of life.

Pregnenolone: The Unsung Hero

Pregnenolone, much like its sibling hormone DHEA, is a steroidal hormone produced within your body. It’s synthesized from cholesterol and primarily produced in the adrenal glands, but you can also find it in the liver, skin, brain, testicles, ovaries, and even in the retinas of your eyes.

Now, you may have heard the word “steroid” and associated it with bodybuilding or athletes, but steroids are a large family of biochemicals that play vital roles in determining your sex, managing inflammation, and regulating growth. In this family of hormones, pregnenolone is the grand precursor from which most other steroids are derived, including DHEA, progesterone, testosterone, estrogens, and cortisol. Remarkably, pregnenolone comes with little to no significant side effects, making it a safe choice.

A Memory Boosting Miracle

If you thought pregnenolone was only about hormones, think again. This incredible hormone is like a secret weapon for your brain. In fact, in laboratory mice, pregnenolone has been found to be a whopping 100 times more effective at enhancing memory than other steroid or steroid-precursors. It’s like a memory enhancer on steroids (pun intended).

But it doesn’t stop there. Pregnenolone isn’t just about memory; it’s about making you smarter and happier. It enhances your ability to perform at your best, whether at work or in daily life, while boosting your overall sense of well-being. Plus, it’s a stress-buster. When high stress-induced fatigue is getting the best of you, pregnenolone steps in to save the day.

The Age-Defying Hormone

As we age, our bodies undergo various changes, and one significant shift is the decline in hormone levels, including pregnenolone. By the time you reach the age of 75, your body produces a staggering 60% less pregnenolone than in your mid-thirties. This decline makes pregnenolone a key biomarker of aging – it’s like counting the rings of a tree, but for your body.

But pregnenolone isn’t alone in this hormonal decline. Other essential hormones, such as DHEA, estrogens, testosterone, progesterone, and growth hormone, also experience a similar decrease with age. This hormonal decline is often accompanied by a decline in your quality of life. You may notice a decrease in energy, memory issues, changes in your vision and hearing, joint problems, heart issues, and even a decrease in your libido.

However, there’s hope. By supplementing small amounts of hormones like pregnenolone, you can slow down these age-related processes, effectively rejuvenating your body’s functions and improving your overall quality of life.

The History of Pregnenolone

The fascinating history of pregnenolone dates back to the 1930s, with research and usage becoming more prevalent over the years. In the 1940s, human studies were conducted on factory workers, testing the effects of pregnenolone on anti-fatigue and autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The results were remarkable – improvements were observed, and safety was confirmed.

However, pregnenolone’s journey took a different turn when a pharmaceutical agent named cortisone, introduced by Merck in 1949, was touted as a cure-all for rheumatoid arthritis. Soon after, more potent synthetic steroids like dexamethasone and prednisone were developed, overshadowing pregnenolone.

Despite the initial successes of pregnenolone, research came to a halt in the 1950s due to the popularity of these synthetic alternatives. These steroids, while fast-acting, brought about serious downsides, including compromising the immune system and inducing conditions like osteoporosis.

Where Pregnenolone Resides

It’s fascinating to note that pregnenolone is much more abundant in nervous tissue than in the bloodstream. In animal studies, it was found in the brain in concentrations ten times larger than other stress-related hormones, including DHEA.

The Promise of Pregnenolone

In a world where we’re all seeking ways to improve our quality of life and combat the challenges of aging, pregnenolone emerges as a potent ally. It’s a safe and natural way to enhance memory, reduce stress, and potentially balance other hormones in your body. Its fascinating history, incredible benefits, and untapped potential make it an exciting avenue for further exploration.

If you’re seeking a brighter, healthier future and a more vibrant you, discover the hidden power of pregnenolone. It could be the key to revitalizing your life. For personalized insights into your hormone levels and the potential benefits of supplementation, schedule a consultation with Dr. Nicole Maxwell at Boise Natural Health Clinic. Your journey to enhanced well-being begins here.

A new research study from the National University of Natural Medicine’s Helfgott Research Institute show’s us how, in a simple and naturopathic way.  Why do we want to be younger aside from feeling better?  Age-associated health decline is associated with cardiovascular disease, stroke, Diabetes type 2 and Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Fitzgerald, ND, IFMCP said that if can slow down aging by a single year (with the extended lifespan) then we can save the United States $38 trillion.  That jumps to  $367 trillion by 10 years.  The impact on our economy and our society is tremendous.

The simple interventions targeted DNA methylation patterns that predict biological age.   DNA methylation capacity is a major driver of aging and the associated diseases and if patterns are optimized then aging slows down.

Wouldn’t it be great to be biologically a year or even 3 years younger?  The study parameters were quite simple and involved 5 areas:

1. Diet:
   1. The intervention was plant-centered with targeted foods that support methylation (see footnote 2 for specifics)
   2. Low in carbohydrates
   3. Limited nutrient-dense animal proteins like egg and liver
   4. Mild intermittent fasting (no food from 7pm to 7am)
2. Supplements:
   1. Probiotics
   2. A proprietary powder combination of vegetables, fruits, seeds, herbs and plant enzymes
3. Exercise
   1. A minimum of 30 minutes of exercise per day, 5 days of the week at 80% maximum perceived exertion (rapid breathing, can’t talk now!)
4. Breathing
   1. Individuals were taught a relaxation breathing technique to use twice daily. I also encourage the use of meditation apps like Insight Timer, Calm, Headspace, etc. If you use Insight Timer you can find me under the name Nicole in Boise with a photo of a boy on a log
5. Sleep
   1. Individuals were encouraged to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night

The Horvath NDAmAge Clock showed that the treatment group was, on average, 3.23 years younger than the control group.  And the participants in the treatment group were 1.96 years younger at the end of the program compared to when they started.

Although one significant limitation of this pilot trial is limited statistical power due to the relatively small sample size, I for one am happy to make these simple changes to maintain a healthy biological age.  I realize confirmation of these results is needed in larger study groups (they are currently enrolling for a larger study) and populations beyond middle-aged men.

I hope you find this helpful in supporting a more youthful metabolism in the new year and beyond.  For more individual support please feel free to schedule an appointment with Dr. Nicole Maxwell at Boise Natural Health Clinic.