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Hormones

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Male Hormonal Enzymatic Pathways: The 5-AR/5-BR Crossroads

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Clinical flowchart representing male hormonal enzymatic pathways, featuring 5-alpha and 5-beta reductase activity.
Abstract: Male Hormonal Enzymatic Pathways, Beyond Serum Levels—The Clinical Role of 5-AR/5-BR Modulation

Standard hormone replacement often fails to account for the enzymatic “fate” of steroid precursors. This review by Carol Petersen, RPh, CNP, explores the critical male hormonal enzymatic pathways, specifically 5-alpha and 5-beta reductase, emphasizing the conversion of progesterone to allopregnanolone for neurological stability. By moving beyond simple testosterone replacement, practitioners can better address complex cases of neurosteroid depletion and metabolic stagnation.

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Hormones on a Methylation Leash: Calming the Endocrine Storm

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a middle aged woman with a magic lasso and she's corralling hormones

Methylation is the biochemical maestro orchestrating a symphony of processes in the body, from gene expression to hormonal harmony. This subtle yet powerful mechanism involves adding methyl groups—tiny chemical tags—to molecules, influencing how genes behave and how hormones function. It’s a linchpin for keeping estrogens, progesterone, adrenaline, histamine, thyroid hormones, testosterone, and DHEA in check. …

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