Dehydroepiandrosterone

What is Dehydroepiandrosterone ?
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is the most abundant androgen (a male steroid hormone) secreted by the adrenal glands, and to some extent, by the ovaries and testes. It is a precursor for other steroid hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen. DHEA has been labeled an anti-aging hormone because deficiencies in old age may make individuals more susceptible to cancer of the breast, prostate, and bladder; atherosclerosis; high blood pressure; autoimmune diseases (for example, diabetes, lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis); osteoporosis; high cholesterol; obesity; memory disturbances; chronic fatigue; and other manifestations of aging. Older individuals with higher DHEA levels are often in better heath than those with lower levels. Thus, the two most important factors concerning DHEA are that it declines in old age and that it is deficient in several diseases.

Medical Uses
DHEA increases bone mass in postmenopausal women. However, supplementation is not recommended until more extensive human trials have been conducted. Autoimmune disease. Low levels of DHEA have been found in patients with autoimmune disorders (for example, lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, AIDS). DHEA supplements in patients with autoimmune disorders improved their stamina and overall sense of well-being. In particular, patients with lupus treated with DHEA showed improved kidney function. DHEA has been used experimentally in depressed patients who demonstrated improvement in both depression and memory. DHEA treatment in people with AIDS may have promise because low DHEA levels have been linked to decreased immune function. However, controlled clinical trials have not yet been conducted to investigate this hypothesis. Because DHEA is believed to build muscle mass, reduce fat, and reduce recovery time following injury, it is popular with athletes. DHEA is also used to enhance sexual performance. Because women with anorexia nervosa are at an increased risk for bone fractures and developing osteoporosis at a younger age than women without eating disorders, some studies suggest that women with anorexia who take DHEA are able to restore normal levels of DHEA and show signs of protection from bone loss.

Sources
DHEA is made in laboratories from sterols (especially diosgenin) extracted from wild yams found in Mexico.

Precautions
DHEA is not recommended for people under 40 years of age, unless DHEA levels are known to be low (less than 130 mg/dL in women and less than 180 mg/dL in men).

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