3-Acetyl-7-Oxo-DHEA

3-Acetyl-7-Oxo-DHEA: What is it and how does it work in the body?

•  3-Acetyl-7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone (7-oxo-DHEA) is a dietary supplement that is a naturally occurring metabolite of the adrenal steroid DHEA. 7-oxo-DHEA differs from DHEA in that it has no androgenic activity, nor it is converted into estrogens.

What is it used for and at what dosage?

• Studies have discussed 7-oxo-DHEA use in bodyweight and body fat reduction and increase lean body mass. It is well tolerated at dosing ranging from 200 to 400 mg daily.

Evidence for or against its different uses:

• In a randomized controlled trial 7-oxo-DHEA combined with moderate exercise and a reduced-calorie diet significantly reduces body weight and body fat compared with exercise and a reduced-calorie diet alone. It was also found to have a thermogenic effect by significantly elevate T3 levels although it did not affect TSH or T4 levels. Hence not adversely affecting thyroid function in the short term.

Safety concerns, side effects, and precautions:

• Unlike DHEA, 7-oxo-DHEA does not cause alterations of sex hormone levels seen in the transformation of DHEA to testosterone and estrogen.

Interactions with medications:

• No drug interactions were noted in the observed studies

Key Web Sources

• Kaiman DS, Colker CM, Swain MA, Torina GC, Shi Q. A randomized, double-blind, pla-

  cebo-controlled study of 3-acetyl-7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone in healthy overweight

  adults. Current Therapeutic Research. 2000;61(7):435–42., ISSN 0011-393X (https://

  www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0011393X00800260). https://doi.org/10.1016/

  S0011-393X(00)80026-0.

• Wang F, He Y, Santos HO, Sathian B, Price JC, Diao J. The effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on body composition and blood pressure: a meta-analysis

  of randomized clinical trials. Steroids. 2020;163:108710., ISSN 0039-128X. https://doi.

  org/10.1016/j.steroids.2020.108710.

• Zenk JL, Helmer TR, Kassen LJ, Kuskowski MA. The effect of 7-Keto Naturalean™ on

  weight loss: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Current Therapeutic

  Research - Clinical and Experimental, 2002;63(4):263–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/

  S0011-393X(02)80031-5.