Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

7-Keto (7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone-acetate) is a metabolite of DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), a hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands. Unlike DHEA, 7-Keto does not convert into sex hormones such as estrogen or testosterone, which has made it an attractive candidate for research into its effects on metabolism and weight management. Some small-scale clinical studies have suggested that 7-Keto supplementation may slightly increase metabolic rate and promote a greater loss of body weight and fat when combined with diet and exercise. The proposed mechanism involves an increase in thermogenesis, potentially leading to higher energy expenditure.

However, the quality and quantity of supporting evidence remain limited. Most studies on 7-Keto and weight loss are small, short-term (typically 8 weeks or less), and often funded by supplement manufacturers, raising potential concerns about bias. Meta-analyses and independent reviews generally conclude that while there may be a modest effect on metabolism, the clinical significance for weight loss is questionable, especially over the long term. The evidence is rated as 2 out of 5, indicating some preliminary scientific support but lacking robustness, reproducibility, and large-scale validation.

In summary, there is some scientific rationale and limited clinical evidence for 7-Keto’s use in weight loss, but it is not strong or conclusive. More comprehensive, independent clinical trials are needed to establish its efficacy and safety for this purpose.

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Products containing 7-Keto-DHEA

Nature's Sunshine 7-Keto