FL7 - Topical Metabolic Enhancer!

3-Acetyl-7-Oxo DHEA, a safe and natural metabolite of DHEA, is an effective agent in suppressing excesssive cortisol production while also stimulating the thermogenic enzymes of the liver, optimizing thyroid function and increasing BMR (basal metabolic rate). 3-Acetyl-7-Oxo DHEA is a powerful tool for inhibiting fat accrual and achieving a favorable body composition. Its strong anti-catabolic properties and cortisol-blunting effect make FL7 an excellent adjunct for anyone wishing to maintain lean mass while dieting, or when cycling off Prohormones. FL7 provides all of 3-Acetyl-7-Oxo DHEA's metabolic benefits via Avant Labs’ Patent Pending infusion matrix, making it far more potent than its competitors. Each 4 oz bottle contains 3 grams of 7-oxo-DHEA and lasts around 30 days.

Ingredients: Isopropyl alcohol,propylene glycol, octyl salicylate, triglyceride complex, water, d-limonene, 3-acetyl-7-oxo-DHEA, carbomer.

Well, our new topical fat loss product, FL7 is here. As many figured out, the “7” is for 7-oxo-DHEA (aka “7-keto ™ DHEA), which is the active ingredient. Obviously, 7-oxo-DHEA is nothing new, but as with 4-AD, you take an old, unspectacular ingredient, with poor oral bioavailability, stick it in our miracle gels and Voila’, you have gold.

Let us get right into the science on 7-oxo and FL7.

7-oxo has far fewer studies on it than plain DHEA, but it is widely agreed, in the literature, that 7-oxo mediates DHEA’s metabolic effects of interest. Actually, it is likely a metabolite of 7-oxo, as well, which binds to a specific, as of yet undiscovered/uncharacterized receptor, but that is beside the point. The point is, 7-oxo is about 2.5 times as strong as plain DHEA, but without the effects on sex hormones. So, assume this on DHEA studies, unless specifically noted.


FL7 and Glucocorticoids
Cortisol’s role in the body is often greatly misunderstood in the bodybuilding community. To grasp its role in body composition, one needs to understand glucocorticoid biosynthesis/equilibrium. Glucocorticoids exist in humans in two primary forms, the inactive cortisone and the active (and dreaded) cortisol. These exist in the body, in a constant state of flux back and forth, depending on the enzyme situation.

What is of note is that the two isoenzymes that convert one to the other have vastly differing concentrations in different tissues. For example, in adipose tissue, only the first isomer of 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11b-HSD1), is found.

11b-HSD1 generally acts as a reductive enzyme, converting Cortisone to Cortisol – it can also act as a dehydrogenase in other tissue, but in human adipose tissue, it is always oxoreductive in the adipose and liver. Increased activity of this enzyme is implicated in some forms of obesity in both animals and humans.

On the other hand, 11b-HSD2 generally acts as a dehydrogenase, converting cortisol to inactive cortisone. It is not particularly important for our purposed, beyond that, so we will go in no more detail.

Keep the above in the back of your mind, as it is going to have a good deal of significance that we will go into later….

So, what is the point of this?? FL7’s magic ingredient, 7-oxo-DHEA, decreases 11b-HSD activity.


Glucocorticoids and Adipose Tissue
So, how is the cortisol factor related to fat loss? Adipogenesis involves differention of preadipocytes into adipocytes. Cortisol inhibits proliferation of preadipocytes, which tips the balance towards differentiation. In other words, cortisol promotes the formation of new fat cells.

And, as we know, empty adipose cells make wonderful sponges for tryglecerides. In addition to this, all cells in the body turnover, meaning they die and are replaced. If we inhibit the formation of new fat cells (via inhibiting cortisol activity in the fat cell), given that fat cell death remains constant, we would have ourselves a very modest, on-going liposuction effect.


FL7 and Thyroid Activity
In additions to its wonderful effects on cortisol levels in adipose tissue, FL7 promotes lipolysis on another front as well – thyroid activity. DHEA and 7-oxo have been found in some studies to increase t3 levels in animals and humans. However, its primary action, in this regard, is to potentiate the effect of t3.

Two of the primary markers of thyroid induced thermogenesis are malic enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD). Guess what else has been found to increase these enzymes….??? Yep, 7-oxo.

It has been postulated that 7-oxo’s effects on thyroid occur only in the liver, thus arguing against transdermal usage. However, injections of DHEA (which would also bypass the liver) were found to increase malic enzyme activity in the liver 9 fold in just one week (interestingly, levels had not yet peaked at this point), the same increase produced by t3.

Also of interest, thyroid hormone was required for DHEA’s increase in malic enzyme activity, indicate that it potentiates t3 rather than increasing levels. So, please do be quite careful if you intend to use thyroid medications and FL7 concurrently.


FL7's Advantages vs. Oral
That is all well and good, but why not just take it orally?? There are two primary (and significant) reasons:

Number one is increased bioavailability. You get far more 7-oxo in your system, mg/mg than with oral. I'm sure our gel's reputation for improving the efficacy of steroids versus oral usage (i.e. ONE+. ONE, 4-ADerm) should be all most of you need to know.... well, at least until I get the real data up in a few hours.

Remember when I said to keep the 11b-HSD isoenzyme situation in the back of your mind??? Well, that is the second thing. With oral usage, we suppress 11b-HSD one activity in the liver.

This increases dehydrogenase activity in the body, lowering systemic cortisol (good right?? Nope.), which will increase ACTH activity in response, to try to keep cortisol elevated. And, with 11b-HSD1 suppressed, this newly released cortisol gets sent down the cortisone side of the isoenzyme equilibrium.

There will be an increase in systemic corticosterone to serve as substrate for formation of the dreaded cortisol in the oxoreductase-only adipose tissue. Oh, and did I mention that obese people are already prone to this phenomenon because of increased peripheral levels of 11b-hsd1 and 5-alpha reductase (which also deactivates cortisol).

Never fear. Transdermal administration eliminates this problem by avoiding the liver, so 7-oxo is not working against itself.


Q: Can this be used with oral stimulants, such as ECA, Yohimbine or Synephrine?
A: Yes, one can certainly stack FL7 with such substances.


Q: Can FL7 be used during periods of maintenance intake, or even caloric excess, to impede fat accumulation?
A: FL7 would be very effective in this capacity, absolutely. In fact, many users have reported that when supplementing with FL7, they have not experienced near the degree of fat gain typically expected when ingesting large amounts of calories, during a vacation weekend of gorging, for instance.


Q: Can using FL7 at amounts in excess of the recommend dose elicit greater effects on metabolic rate, thyroid output, etc?
A: Perhaps, though this is not recommend. The effects of increasing the dosage beyond twice the recommended amount are unknown. So, one can significantly raise dosages; if however such would elicit double the benefit, or any real increase in positive effects, is disputable.


Q: After a couple days of use, I have noticed a definite rise in body temperature. Is this the result of FL7, and if so, is this normal?
A: FL7's effect as a thyroid potentiator may very well result in the elevation of body temperature as whole body thermogensis is increased. FL7's effects on body temperature may be acutely perceived after a meal. This is one mechanism by which FL7 exerts its lipolytic effects, and is not something to be overly concerned about, no. Most users report quickly growing accustomed to this elevated body temperature, such that it becomes subjectively unnoticeable after 1-2 weeks of use. Rest assured, however, that the decrease in perception of elevated body temperature does not mean that FL7 is not continuing to exert its beneficial effects.


Q: Is there anything that we need to be aware of in regards to coming off of an FL7 cycle? Is there a likelihood of a 'rebound' as is so often experienced with direct thyroid hormones such as T3?
A: Discontinuation of use should not cause any type of rebound, though a brief tapering of the product certainly wouldn't be harmful for those overly concerned.


Q: Can this be used with AB-Solved?
A: Absolutely. If one does choose to stack these two supplements, apply to different areas. Make sure however, to apply AB-Solved to the area you wish to target specifically, as its effects are localized.


Q: Is there any benefit in stacking FL7 with oral guggelsterones, 7-keto, or other indirect thyroid stimulators? Can it be used with T3 or T4
A: Perhaps. 7Keto potentiates the action of Thyroidals so one should begin such supplementation at lower doses and assess tolerance, judiciously monitoring for the manifestation of negative side effects. As always, should side effects arise, discontinue use of said products and consult your physician.


Q: Can FL7 be used in conjunction with androgens?
A: Yes. FL7 is an excellent addition to AAS, due largely to its activity as a Thyroid potentiator. The result of said potentiation is an increase in the rate of protein synthesis, thus accelerating the accumulation of mass. Preliminary research has also suggested that supplementation with substances such as FL7 may lower estrogen by as much as 50% in as little as seven days. At the present time however, this data and its pertinence to FL7 supplementation is largely speculative, and has yet to be conclusively established.


Q: Does FL7 need to be cycled?
A: Financial constraints aside, there is no need to cycle FL7. Extended use will not decrease its metabolic benefits.


Q: Is there any optimal time of the day to apply FL7, such as pre-workout?A: Application time does not matter; simply strive to apply twice daily, approximately 12hrs apart.