• It protects against adrenal atrophy in people withdrawing from cortisone treatments.

• It enhances hormone balance. Pregnenolone more readily converts to progesterone which is necessary to balance normal estrogen levels. Many women also prefer pregnenolone be-cause it can help the body maintain balance during menopausal hormonal changes.

• It does everything DHEA does without the potential hazards of DHEA. Many women prefer pregnenolone over DHEA. Pregnenolone has fewer adverse effects than any of its “off-spring” hormones, such as DHEA, which can convert to unwanted testosterone and estrogen.

• It strengthens the myelin sheathe that protects the cells of the brain and nervous system. Some of the most exciting research currently underway is with pregnenolone and the myelin sheath, the protective nerve covering which is prone to degenerate in certain individuals. Preliminary studies reveal very promising results.

• It modulates chemical reactions in the body and thus helps reduce depression, relieve stress and encourage a feeling of well-being. Pregnenolone supports mood and affects energy at 50 to 200 mg per day. It helps the body deal with stress by promoting the activity of detoxifying enzymes, which help our cells (especially liver and brain cells) to detoxify various sub-stances, whether environmental or our own metabolically produced toxins. Pregnenolone may be a general “anti-stress” metabolite.

• It stimulates an enzyme required for the storage of memories. Pregnenolone nutritionally supports receptors in brain cells which play an important role in learning and memory. If you ever feel like your capacity to remember things is diminishing, you might be interested in pregnenolone’s ability to support the hormones that enhance memory as we age. Declining levels of pregnenolone and DHEA often cause a problem with memory.