The Science Behind OCO
The Science of DHEA
Our DHEA is sourced from plants. In a healthy human body DHEA is made in our adrenal glands (and by the liver) as a precursor to our sex hormones. As we age or as we accumulate stress, our production of DHEA lessens.
Luckily, we can supplement safely with plant-sourced DHEA. There are many benefits to supplementing with DHEA as we age – but for us we have found a perfect solution for safely increasing vaginal wellness as we age.
DHEA is an over-the-counter product in the US and is conventionally taken orally. However, oral DHEA provides little-to-no support for the vulvar tissue and does not address vulvar or sexual wellness in the midlife woman.
Topically, however, when applied to the skin including the vulva, DHEA turns primarily into testosterone. And with testosterone comes our desire, as well as healthy vestibular/vulvar tissue.
In addition, the risk for some women attached to estrogen products is minimized, with initial studies of topical vaginal DHEA showing safety even in women at risk.
It has also been shown that plant-sourced products activate tumor suppression.
Additional Benefits of DHEA
Proper systemic DHEA levels as we age are correlated with not only sexual desire and satisfaction resulting from healthy vulvar/vaginal tissue, but also with increased cognitive wellness and decreased chronic illness.
DHEA is a required in the brain and is used in memory and learning, in protection of neurons, and shows an overall reduction in age-related brain pathology. Ismail H. Zwain, Samuel S. C. Yen, Dehydroepiandrosterone: Biosynthesis and Metabolism in the Brain, Endocrinology, Volume 140, Issue 2, 1 February 1999, Pages 880–887, https://doi.org/10.1210/endo.140.2.6528
In addition, healthy DHEA levels are associated with lower all-cause mortality.
Oco Testing
In our testing we have found that with normal application of O Nectar, DHEA levels can rise into a healthy post-menopausal range – but we have seen NO rise in estrogen. This correlates with published study data.
Currently we are setting up a larger trial to explore the deeper effects on longevity and wellness from using our products. Stay tuned to our blog for updates.
Recommendations on DHEA from the National Institute of Health
Research suggests that taking between 20 to 50 milligrams of DHEA supplements daily should be sufficient and safe for most adults over the age of 30. Individual needs will vary, lowest effective dose is best.
In some cases, DHEA is administered in high doses up to 200 to 500 milligrams daily to help treat certain disorders such as depression or lupus, but this should only be done under medical supervision. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
For improving bone healing and bone mineral density, 50 to 100 milligrams per day is recommended.
For erectile dysfunction, menopausal symptoms and vaginal dryness, 25 to 50 milligrams per day.
Cleveland Clinic
Proceedings of the National Academy of Scientists
https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.97.8.4279
50mg DHEA daily for 52 weeks in postmenopausal women is not associated with any significant toxic or adverse effects and is generally seen as a therapeutically effective dose to avoid side-effects over the long-term.
Estrogen
Estrogen has gotten a bad rap, and according to the latest science a vast majority of women can benefit safely from low dose vaginal estrogen.
But we have seen that our topical DHEA can work in place of vaginal estrogen in many cases.
For those women concerned with estrogen levels, taking a DIM supplement will ensure healthy estrogen levels.
Diindolylmethane is a natural substance from brassica vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, ex) that helps the body keep systemic hormones from turning into estrogen.
Studies using higher doses of DHEA show that supplementing with DIM effectively block this transformation.
Sulforaphane is another molecule that assists by aiding the body in detoxifying estrogen safely.
