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Pregnenolone
Specialistalso —
What it isPregnenolone is the "mother steroid" — the immediate downstream product of cholesterol from which all other steroid hormones are made.
DoesProvides substrate for cortisol, DHEA, progesterone, and downstream sex hormones; also acts directly as a neurosteroid affecting GABA receptors.
GoodMid-range pregnenolone signals adequate substrate for steroid synthesis and supports mood, memory, and resilience.
BadLow pregnenolone tracks aging and chronic stress and may contribute to cognitive sluggishness and mood instability.
- Standard
- 22–237 ng/dL.
- Optimal
- 100–180 ng/dL (narrow target)
- Modifiers
- Falls with age and chronic stress.
How to optimize
- Lifestyle
- Stress management; sleep.
- Diet
- Adequate calories and cholesterol-containing foods (eggs).
- Supplements
- Pregnenolone supplementation (10–50mg/day if low, with monitoring), DHEA, ashwagandha.
- Peptides
- —
- Drugs
- —
PregnenoloneAshwagandhaDHEA
Reference ranges are general adult lab norms; optimal ranges are editorial picks from the longevity literature — not medical advice. Always interpret results with your physician.
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