Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

The Basics

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is the most abundant hormone in the bloodstream. It is produced by the adrenal glands. This hormone is produced in abundance up until age 25 at which time production slows. By age 80 a person's DHEA levels may only be 10% or 20% of what they were at age 25.

DHEA has many functions including generation of estrogen and testosterone, muscle mass, reduction of body fat, and stimulation of bone formation. It provides protection against many cancers: breast, prostate, and bladder. Other disease processes positively affected include high blood pressure, diabetes, lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, osteoporosis, obesity, nerve degenerative, and other age-related disorders.

In addition, following injury, DHEA is known to reduce recovery time, although human studies have not been published to verify this claim.

Sources

The food source for DHEA is wild yams found in Mexico. In fact, most of the DHEA supplements, primarily disogenin, are extracts of this wild yam. Some extracts of wild yam have not been processed into DHEA and are difficult for the body to convert. It is best to take only the pharmaceutical grade of DHEA. It is available in capsules, chewing gum, tablets, and drops that are put under the tongue.

Guidelines and Cautions

DHEA should be taken under caution.

Animal studies have shown high doses can lead to liver damage. To prevent oxidative damage to the liver, some sources recommend taking vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium.

DHEA increases the production of hormones and therefore may stimulate breast, prostate, ovarian, and testicular cancers. Since it increases the production of testosterone, women may experience facial hair growth and/or other signs of masculinization. Men may experience high blood pressure, male pattern baldness, sexual aggressiveness and similar tendencies taking DHEA.

People under the age of 40 should only take this if their DHEA levels are known to be low. The normal level for women is 130 mg/dL and men 180 mg/dL.

Consult a medical professional to determine if a DHEA supplement should be taken, the proper individual dose, and/or if other medications are taken on a daily basis.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

The Basics

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is the most abundant hormone in the bloodstream. It is produced by the adrenal glands. This hormone is produced in abundance up until age 25 at which time production slows. By age 80 a person's DHEA levels may only be 10% or 20% of what they were at age 25.

DHEA has many functions including generation of estrogen and testosterone, muscle mass, reduction of body fat, and stimulation of bone formation. It provides protection against many cancers: breast, prostate, and bladder. Other disease processes positively affected include high blood pressure, diabetes, lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, osteoporosis, obesity, nerve degenerative, and other age-related disorders.

In addition, following injury, DHEA is known to reduce recovery time, although human studies have not been published to verify this claim.

Sources

The food source for DHEA is wild yams found in Mexico. In fact, most of the DHEA supplements, primarily disogenin, are extracts of this wild yam. Some extracts of wild yam have not been processed into DHEA and are difficult for the body to convert. It is best to take only the pharmaceutical grade of DHEA. It is available in capsules, chewing gum, tablets, and drops that are put under the tongue.

Guidelines and Cautions

DHEA should be taken under caution.

Animal studies have shown high doses can lead to liver damage. To prevent oxidative damage to the liver, some sources recommend taking vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium.

DHEA increases the production of hormones and therefore may stimulate breast, prostate, ovarian, and testicular cancers. Since it increases the production of testosterone, women may experience facial hair growth and/or other signs of masculinization. Men may experience high blood pressure, male pattern baldness, sexual aggressiveness and similar tendencies taking DHEA.

People under the age of 40 should only take this if their DHEA levels are known to be low. The normal level for women is 130 mg/dL and men 180 mg/dL.

Consult a medical professional to determine if a DHEA supplement should be taken, the proper individual dose, and/or if other medications are taken on a daily basis.