DHEA
Product No. P0404
Also known as dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid hormone that's produced by the adrenal glands. The body converts DHEA to male and female sex hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone.
DHEA is manufactured naturally in the body, but DHEA supplements can also be made from a substance called diosgenin, found in soybeans and wild yam. DHEA supplements were taken off the U.S. market in 1985 because of concerns about false claims regarding its benefits. It became available only by prescription but was reintroduced as a nutritional supplement after the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act was passed in 1994.
DHEA levels typically peak by the time people are in their 20s and decline with age, which is why there has been considerable interest in DHEA and its role in ageing. In fact, DHEA supplements have been touted as an anti-ageing hormone because lower levels of DHEA have been reported in some people with type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, AIDS, adrenal insufficiency, kidney disease and anorexia. Certain medications may also deplete DHEA, such as corticosteroids, insulin, opiates and danazol.
Clinical trials examining the effect of DHEA for depression suggest that DHEA temporarily improves symptoms of depression compared to a placebo. In one study, twenty three people improved while taking DHEA, compared to 13 who responded while taking the placebo. After six weeks, 14 out of 15 people taking the placebo were still depressed, compared to eight out of 14 people taking DHEA.
One small study found that 25 mg a day of DHEA may reduce symptoms of menopause. Levels of other hormones were affected, however, which may have adverse effects.
In animal studies, DHEA has shown some promise in reducing genetic or diet-induced obesity. A study funded by the National Institute of Health looked at the effect of DHEA for weight loss and found that people taking DHEA had lost an average of two pounds at the end of the study, compared to the people taking the placebo, who gained just over one pound. Although overall weight loss was minimal, results were more promising when fat loss around the abdomen was assessed. After six months, women taking DHEA lost 10% of their abdominal fat and men lost 7%.
Supplementation with DHEA has been studied to increase bone density. It is usually taken orally or applied as a cream to the inner thigh. DHEA hasn't been found to be helpful for younger women and men. Some evidence sugests it might be helpful for osteoporosis in older women, although more research is needed.
Scientific evidence indicates that DHEA may enhance mental function and increase bone mass in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease affecting connective tissue. In fact, synthetic DHEA called prasterone is under investigation for the treatment of this condition and the prevention of loss of bone mineral density.
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