It does have a systemic effect, but it's main effects seem to hang on right around the area of application(For a while anyways, and since it's applied at night, some fat is lost there. Which is compounded with recurrent use). Btw, 7-Keto DHEA = 7-oxo-DHEA. It's just another name for it. I just seem to be a really good responder to this supplement, It helps me immeasurably in the abdominal region. Some people just aren't good responders to this supplement.