Positive/Negative Effects of Normal/High DHT on Metabolic Pathways

Regular visitors of the SuppVersity will certainly remember some of my previous posts about the false demonization of DHT. A new study coming from the Institute of Endocrinology in Prague (Duskova. 2010) supports the view that "optimal" and not low DHT levels are what men should be striving for.

Theorizing that DHT as a non-aromatizable androgen could be responsible for a male type fat distribution, the scientists reviewed the results of both animal and human studies and found that "physiological levels of DHT [do not only] inhibit growth of mature adipocytes", but also have positive levels on body composition in patients on hormone replacement therapy (HRT). On the other hand, there is also evidence that high (super-physiological) DHT levels are associated with obesity:

In obese people, DHT metabolism in adipose tissue is altered. Local abundance of non-aromatizable androgen has a negative effect on adipose tissue and it could be involved in pathogenesis of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

So, in view of getting/staying lean and healthy, you want your DHT levels within normal ranges and you certainly don't want to block it by taking Saw Palmetto or (God forbid) Finasteride or other drugs out of fear of developing prostate cancer, even if you do not even know if your DHT levels are pathologically elevated.