7-Keto DHEA
Although this compound is chemically related to and shares the “DHEA” moniker, it is hormonally inert in that it will not alter circulating hormone levels. This makes the compound extremely safe, and can be used by both men and women without fear of hormonal side effects.
Again unlike traditional DHEA, 7-keto DHEA is not used for hormonal, performance, or strength enhancement, but instead may be utilized for weight loss.
What it does
7-Keto DHEA has been shown to increase metabolic rate, which helps enhance energy/caloric expenditure[1] and directly decrease fat mass by 1.8% instead of 0.28% in placebo[2].
How it works
One of the main accepted mechanisms of action for 7-keto DHEA to enhance fat loss is through its purported ability to reduce circulating cortisol levels. Increased levels of cortisol can cause fat accumulation and muscle wasting, so by reducing these levels one can expect to see lean body mass rise while total fat mass reduced.
One of the easier to prove benefits of 7-keto DHEA is its ability to increase basal metabolic rate, which allows the body to burn more calories while at rest (and therefore during exercise as well). By enhancing caloric burn, one can expect to lose weight while not altering their diet.
Dosing
Suggested dosing protocol for 7-keto DHEA is 200-400mg per day split into two divided doses. While these doses have proven effective, they can unfortunately be costly.