DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) is produced from the adrenal gland and is the most abundant steroid hormone in men and women. Levels of DHEA typically diminish as people grow older. DHEA serves a myriad of functions, including serving as an alternative source for male and female hormones (testosterone, estrogen) via peripheral metabolism and promotes profound effects on cognitive function through its ability to bind and antagonize GABA (A) receptors in the brain – leading to more effective neurotransmission.
DHEA also serves as a parent hormone to a host of metabolites that influence the immune system and maintain energy balance of caloric expenditure in the body. Hence why you often find that medical professionals check blood levels of DHEA as part of a patient’s routine overall endocrine profile. A growing body of research demonstrates that levels of this hormone may be closely correlated to overall health and wellness.
Product Size: 2 fl.oz. (59ml)
Suggested Use: Sublingual administration. Place one dropper under your tongue for 30 seconds one to two times per day. Each serving is 1ml (or 1 full dropper). Each dose contains 50mg of active. 59 servings per bottle.
About Prototype Nutrition's Essential Adrenals Collection
Natural steroid hormones, whether they be estrogens, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, DHEA etc. are often given to individuals in various forms to correct deficiencies in natural production. However, these natural bioidentical hormones are often poorly bioavailable when taken orally, given the fact that they must pass through the liver before entering the general circulation. This “first pass” liver phenomenon typically results in the vast majority of the hormone being metabolized into inactive compounds, with very little active hormone reaching the rest of the body.
Many methods have been tried to overcome this problem. Some have developed synthetic analogs of the hormones that resist first pass liver degradation. However, these don’t always share the full benefits of the natural hormone and could be somewhat toxic. Other solutions, such as transdermal creams, gels, or sprays have been utilized as well as popularized here on the PN line as another effective method of administration. Injections as well are quite effective, but of course are inconvenient and uncomfortable. This sublingual technology is great for those who wish to stack multiple PN products without having to worry about body “real estate” or for those who find the sprays drying during the winter months. Additionally, sublingual administration makes the Essential Adrenals method fast acting in comparison to topically boosting blood circulation or relying on other oral ingestion methods.
Cyclodextrin Technology
Cyclodextrins are sugar derivatives whose molecules have hollow non-polar (fat like) interiors and polar (water like) exteriors. Steroid hormones, such as DHEA and Beta AET, can incorporate into the fatty interior of the cyclodextrin forming a cyclodextrin complex, which is then able to dissolve easily in water. This water solubility then allows the steroid hormone to pass through the lining of the mouth with great ease, as the steroid simply releases from the cyclodextrin and into the lipophilic and heavily vascularized lining of the mouth (specifically under the tongue). Since substances entering the body through the mouth lining do not have to “pass through” the liver right away (like with oral consumption), a great increase in bioavailability is achieved.
Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin is the preferred form of cyclodextrin for steroid inclusion complexes. This is what is used in Prototype’s Essential Adrenal Series.
* One of the first published papers establishing the efficacy of HPCD / steroid complexes on bioavailability was published in 1986. You may read more here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3958926