What is DHEA?

DHEA (dhydroepiandrosterone - pronounced dee-hi-dro-epp-ee-ann-dro-stehr-own ) is manufactured in the adrenal gland. It is a steroidal hormone ideally produced from pregnenolone* "the mother hormone"( *see Pregnenolone Plus) by the adrenal gland. It is the most abundant steroid in the bloodstream under normal circumstances and is present at even higher levels in brain tissue. The DHEA hormone metabolizes into testosterone in men and estrogen in women and it is referred to as "The fountain of youth hormone".

Why do I need to supplement DHEA ?

DHEA levels are known to fall markedly with age, falling 90% from age 20 to age 90. DHEA replacement supplementation of the hormone is necessary to restore serum levels to those of a 20-year-old. DHEA is a precursor building block that allows our bodies to more easily create hormones that may be in decline because of age, disease, prescription medications, or other factors. As an example, the average 50 year old male only retains approximately 47% of DHEA than when he was 20. The latest research reveals that supplimenting 25 mg of DHEA per day will help bring our 50 year old male described in the previous example, to the origional "20 year old" levels of DHEA in his system. Women too can benefit from DHEA supplimentation A few years ago a study from England revealed that DHEA was consistantly abnormally low in women who developed breast cancer, even as much as nine years prior to the onset or diagnosis of the disease. Recently, during a followup study, it was found that supplemental DHEA significantly protected cell cultures from the toxicity of carcinogens. Cell cultures usually respond to powerful carcinogens with mutations (changes in DNA), transformations (changes in cell appearance), and a high rate of cell death. But when DHEA was supplemented along with the carcinogen, all three of these effects were significantly diminished. To find your levels of DHEA in your body, contact your healthcare provider and arrange for a blood test specifically designed to accurately quantify that information.

Does DHEA aid in weight control ? How?

In recent studies involving both animals and humans, supplementation of DHEA appears to have the effect of reducing body fat and increasing muscle mass, without calorie restriction. Various additional studies have shown low levels of DHEA to be associated with obesity. In both animal and human studies, DHEA reduced body fat, with or without weight loss. Like thyroid hormones, DHEA seems to enhance thermogenesis and declining metabolic efficacy. Because of its ability to  increase enzymes necessary for fat metabolism and block enzymes responsible for fat storage, it seems to shift metabolism from producing fat to creating muscle and energy. It also tends to increase sensitivity to thyroid hormone. Low serum DHEA levels were recorded in patients with hypothyroidism.

What else does DHEA do?

DHEA has been shown to improve neurological function (including memory, mood enhancement, and EEG readings), immune surveillance, and stress disorders. DHEA replacement therapy has become popular as an antiaging regimen and offers aging patients help in preventing diseases such as osteoporosis, fatigue, depression, atherosclerosis, and cancer.

DHEA levels are directly related to mortality (the probability of dying) in humans. In a 12-year study of over 240 men aged 50 to 79 years, researchers found that DHEA levels were inversely correlated with mortality, both from heart disease and from all causes. Furthermore, if animal results hold true, supplemental DHEA may prevent disease, reduce mortality, and extend lifespan in humans.

Is DHEA supplementation safe ?

More and more research continues to be done identifying "safe levels" of DHEA supplementation. Studies in humans show essentially no toxicity at doses that restore DHEA to youthful levels. We believe, however, that 25 - 50 mg. per day of DHEA appears to be safe for those 35 years old and up based on current research information. The ideal method to recommend the proper amount of DHEA to be taken is to consult your health care provider for accurate testing .