Androstenedione

Description

Androstenedione is a type of Androgen Sexual Steroid Hormone produced by the Hair Follicles, male Testes and (in much lesser quantities) by the female Ovaries.  It is also produced in lesser quantities by (both the male and female) Adrenal Cortex of the Adrenal Glands.  Androstenedione is regarded as a weak Androgen as it does not exert physiological effects to the same extent as the major Androgens. Androstenedione is no longer available as a dietary supplement.  It was outlawed in the USA during 2005 and is also outlawed in most other countries of the world.

Health Benefits of Supplemental Androstenedione

Metabolism

  Supplemental Androstenedione may improve Athletic Performance.  ^[1]

  Supplemental Androstenedione may increase (subjective feelings of) Energy.  ^[2]

Musculoskeletal System

  Supplemental Androstenedione mayfacilitate Muscle Growth:  ^[3]

 Androstenedione may stimulate Muscle Growth in its “own right†- in addition some supplemental Androstenedione is converted within the body to Testosterone which is a well-established initiator of Muscle Growth.

 The ability of Androstenedione to cause Muscle Growth is limited (rate-limited) by the availability of the necessary enzyme that catalyzes this conversion of Androstenedione to Testosterone.

  Supplemental Androstenedione may increase Muscle Strength.  ^[4]

  Supplemental Androstenedione may help to prevent Osteoporosis in women who have had an ^[5]:  ^[6]

 Removal of the Ovaries causes a reduction in endogenous Androstenedione production and this may cause subsequent Bone loss.

Nervous System

  Androstenedione may be useful for the treatment of Depression.  ^[7]

  Androstenedione may improve Memory - especially Short Term Memory (this effect occurs via the conversion of Androstenedione to Testosterone, a known enhancer of Memory).  ^[8]

  Androstenedione may improve Mood & Mood Disorders.  ^[9]

Sexual System

  Supplemental Androstenedione (taken approximately 30 - 60 minutes prior to intended sexual activity) may increase Sexual Desire in some people (this effect is believed to occur from the conversion of Androstenedione to Testosterone).  ^[10]

Androstenedione may Enhance the Function of these Substances

Hormones

  Supplemental Androstenedione may increase the body''s Estradiol levels - caution excessive Estrone is associated with various toxic side effects.  ^[11]

  Small amounts (1 - 5%) of Androstenedione are converted (by the P-450 Aromatase Enzyme) within peripheral tissues (e.g. Adipose Tissue) to Estrone:  ^[12]

 Supplemental Androstenedione (300 mg per day) causes a significant increase in the body''s Estrone levels - caution excessive Estrone is associated with various toxic side effects.

  Androstenedione is the immediate precursor for the endogenous production of Testosterone:  ^[13]

 Supplemental Androstenedione (300 mg per day) may increase Testosterone levels.