Pregnenolone

In common with DHEA, estrogen and testosterone, pregnenolone is synthesised from cholesterol. Seen as the 'mother' hormone, this important steroid is prescribed for many illness or symptom for which cortisone is prescribed. These include asthma, arthritis, depression, fatigue, SLE (Lupus) and many others. Although not so speedy in its effect or so powerful as cortisone, it does not produce the side effects that are characteristic of cortisone therapy. These can include high blood pressure, fluid retention, weight increase, immune breakdown and blood vessel brittleness, loss of bone mass and a tendancy toward diabetes. Pregnenolone was initially researched in the 1940s as a treatment for arthritis. However, as a natural substance it could not be patented, and cortisone (prednisolone) soon replaced it as the treatment of choice.