Health Benefits of DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)

DHEA Molecular Structure

DHEA or Dehydroepiandrosterone is an endogenous Steroid/Neurosteroid hormone that is produced in the adrenal glands. It is the direct precursor to Androstenedione which converts to Testosterone and subsequently DHT and Estrogen. DHEA benefits the health of virtually every system of the body. Unfortunately, production of this essential hormone declines with age and also with Adrenal Fatigue. At 20 years of age the body produces about 30mg of Dehydroepiandrosterone per day which declines to about 6mg per day at age 80. For this reason, DHEA is often referred to as the “Youth Hormone”. Measuring DHEA along with other adrenal hormones is a good indicator of overall adrenal health. Many people supplement with DHEA to increase Testosterone and improve athletic performance but its effect on the body is more far reaching. I do not recommend supplementing with DHEA unless you are deficient and can monitor your blood levels. The reason being is that there is no negative feedback mechanism in the body for DHEA, thus it is possible to take too much. Dehydroepiandrosterone is transported throughout the body in its more stable conjugated form, DHEA Sulfate. Monitoring your blood levels of DHEA Sulfate (DHEA-S) ensures that they remain within normal physiological levels. Do not rely on saliva testing for this purpose as saliva testing can introduce many variables decreasing its accuracy. Likewise, there are no standardized scientific correlations between saliva DHEA levels and those found in blood. This means the two tests cannot be used interchangeably.

Just in this short excerpt from PubMed, one can see how the many health benefits of DHEA can improve the quality of life. “DHEA exerts an immunomodulatory action, increasing the number of monocytes, T cells expressing T-cell receptor gamma/delta (TCRγδ) and natural killer (NK) cells. It improves physical and psychological well-being, muscle strength and bone density, and reduces body fat and age-related skin atrophy stimulating procollagen/sebum production. In adrenal insufficiency, DHEA restores DHEA/DHEAS and androstenedione levels, reduces total cholesterol, improves well-being, sexual satisfaction and insulin sensitivity, and prevents loss of bone mineral density. Normal levels of CD4+CD25(hi) and FoxP3 (forkhead box P3) are restored. In systemic lupus erythematosus, DHEA is steroid-sparing. In an unblinded study, it induced remission in the majority of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. DHEA modulates cardiovascular signalling pathways and exerts an anti-inflammatory, vasorelaxant and anti-remodelling effect. Its low levels correlate with increased cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality.”

The Health Benefits of DHEA:

AGING

• Known as the “Youth Hormone” it may possess Life Extension potential.
• Levels begin to decline after about 20 years of age.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

• The symptoms of Angina may be alleviated by supplementation (up to 100mg).
• Having abnormally low levels puts one at a greater risk for Atherosclerosis.
• Helps to prevent abnormal Blood Clotting.
• People with Cardiovascular Diseases exhibit low endogenous levels.
• Reduces mortality rate from Cardiovascular Disease.
• May minimize the Neuron damage associated with Stroke.
• C-Reactive Protein levels may be reduced by supplementation.

HEARING / HAIR / VISION

• May be useful in the treatment of Otosclerosis as these patients exhibit low endogenous levels.
• Dry Eyes may be alleviated by applying DHEA topically in the form of Eye Drops.
• Hair Loss in Females may result from declining levels.
• Accelerates the growth of the Hair and Nails.

IMMUNE SYSTEM

• May prevent/alleviate some Allergies.
• Asthma patients exhibit low levels which lead to the constriction of airways which prompts Asthma attacks.
• DHEA may help protect against the following Cancers:

▪ Breast
▪ Cervical Dysplasia
▪ Colon
▪ Liver
▪ Lung
▪ Lymphomas
▪ Prostate
▪ Skin (oral & topical application)

• Reduces the toxicity of some Carcinogens.
• Stimulates various aspects of the Immune System.
• Enhances the production of Antibodies.
• Helps to stimulate the production of B-Lymphocytes by up to 35% after 20 weeks.
• Monocyte production may be stimulated by supplementation.
• Helps increase the activity and number of NK Lymphocytes (Natural Killer Cells).
• T-Lymphocyte activity may be increased by supplementation.
• Enhances the activity of TH1 Helper T-Cells.
• May limit the excessive activity of TH2 Helper T-Cells.
• May alleviate the Dry Mouth experienced by Sjogren Syndrome patients.
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients may benefit from supplementation.
• May produce remission in Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis patients.
• Helps protect the body from many Detrimental Bacteria and Viruses.
• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients benefit from supplementation as it helps to suppress the AIDS Virus and improves Mental Function.
• Can reduce the toxicity of the excitotoxins produced by Bacillus anthracis (Anthrax).
• May help to prevent Influenza in the Elderly.
• The excessive production of Interleukin 6 (IL6), Interleukin 10 (IL10) and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) may be inhibited by supplementation.
• The production of Interferon Gamma, Interleukin 2 (IL2) and Interleukin 3 (IL3) may be increased by supplementation.

METABOLISM

• Possesses Antioxidant properties.
• Improves the symptoms of Adrenal Insufficiency.
• Can increase Basal Metabolism (BMR) enabling one to burn more calories while at rest.
• May increase Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF-1) and Human Growth Hormone (hGH) levels.
• Thyroid function is enhanced by supplementation.
• May help increase Triiodothyronine (T3) levels.
• Supplementation helps to normalize Blood Sugar (Glucose) levels.
• May prevent age-related Insulin dysfunction.
• Energy levels in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients can be improved by supplementation.
• Diabetes Mellitus patients are often found to have low levels and supplementation helps improve Insulin Sensitivity and reduces exogenous Insulin requirements.
• Supplementation helps improve subjective feelings of energy by potentiating the effects of Insulin and increasing the body’s sensitivity to Thyroid Hormone, especially in the Elderly.
• Helps to reduce Liver Damage associated with Hepatitis.
• May retard the oxidation of Cholesterol.
• Triglycerides may be reduced by supplementation.
• Stimulates the Endogenous production of Glutathione.
• Has significant anti-Obesity effects and may reduce Visceral Fat.
• Helps inhibit Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) and enzyme that contributes to Obesity.
• Applied topically, may reduce subcutaneous Fatty Tissue.
• Appetite may be reduced by supplementation.
• Helps increase Stamina.
• Excessive Stress and Exercise can lower endogenous levels.

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM

• DHEA may help to prevent prevent/improve/treat the following ailments:

▪ Fibromyalgia
▪ Myasthenia Gravis
▪ Osteoarthritis
▪ Osteoporosis
▪ Polymyalgia Rheumatica
▪ Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Stimulates Muscle Growth and increases Muscle Strength, especially in the Elderly.
• Bone Density can be increased with supplementation as it stimulates Osteoblasts and inhibits Osteoclasts.
• Osteocalcin levels in Postmenopausal Women may be increased by up to 115% with supplementation.

NERVOUS SYSTEM

• May alleviate Amnesia.
• Helps reduce Anxiety.
• May inhibit Monoamine Oxidase A & B (MAO-A & MAO-B).
• Enhances the release of Acetylcholine.
• Elevated Cortisol Levels may be reduced by supplementation.
• May reduce the Memory Impairment and Depression associated with Alcohol Withdrawal.
• Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia patients typically have low endogenous levels compared to healthy subjects of the same age.
• Supplementation helps to preserve the health of Astrocytes, preventing them from progressing to their senescent stage (their aged form).
• May prevent the accumulation of Amyloid-Beta Protein (plaque) in the brain, a known cause of Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Supplementation may help to relieve all types of depression: Major Depression, Manic Depression and Minor Depression.
• Multiple Sclerosis patients may experience improved Alertness, Stamina, Energy Levels, Inflammation and Muscle Strength with supplementation.
• Can improve the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.
• May alleviate Schizophrenia.
• Helps improve the ability to handle Stress.
• Both Short and Long Term memory may be enhanced by supplementation.
• Helps increase Alertness.
• Useful in the treatment of Mood Disorders.
• May improve Sleep quality as well as improving Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep.
• May increase Willpower.
• The growth and survival of Neurons in the Brain is enhanced by supplementation.

SEXUAL SYSTEM (Female)

• The symptoms of Female Menopause can be alleviated by supplementation due to its ability to replenish Androgen and Estrogen levels.
• Can alleviate symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome.
• Supplementation can restore both Sexual Desire and Sexual Performance in Women.
• DHEA can alleviate Vaginal Atrophy.

SEXUAL SYSTEM (Male)

• Can alleviate Male Infertility.
• Male impotence can be alleviated by supplementation.
• Supplementation treats Male Andropause.
• Supplementation can restore both Sexual Desire and Sexual Performance in Men.

SKIN

• Applied topically and ingested orally helps protect the Skin from the damage that occurs from Burns.
• Atopic Dermatitis patients often exhibit low endogenous levels supporting the theory that DHEA may be useful in the treatment of Dermatitis.
• Dry Skin can be alleviated by the oral consumption or topical application of DHEA.
• The thickness of the Epidermis may be improved by supplementation.
• Helps to extend the life of Keratinocytes.
• Stimulates the production of Sebum by the Sebaceous Glands.
• Applied topically, improves the appearance of the Skin.
• Helps facilitate the healing of Wounds.
• Applied topically, alleviates Wrinkles.
• Applied topically may increase Collagen production in the Skin.

USAGE

DHEA is best taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach with water. If you are taking more than 50mg per day, I recommend splitting the dose into equal parts during the day. Do not take DHEA in the evening as it can be stimulating for some people and may interfere with sleep. Excessive doses of DHEA can cause Oily Skin and Acne in Women. Men supplementing with DHEA should regularly test DHEA and PSA levels as well as Testosterone and Estrogen. The proper dosing of DHEA depends on age, endogenous DHEA levels and why it is being used. It is important not to over-supplement to receive DHEAs benefits. Supplementing can be tricky with certain health conditions, so I suggest working with a qualified health professional to ensure proper dosing and hormone balance. If you do not already have a health professional that will work with you on this issue, feel free to use the CONTACT tab at the top of the page and I will be happy to assist you.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

• Men with an Enlarged Prostate or Prostate Cancer should not use except under the guidance of a qualified health professional.
• Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) should not use without the guidance of a qualified health professional.