DHEA is a short name for the fancier name of Dehydroepiandrosterone,
a hormone normally produced by the adrenal glands, but which diminishes
as a person ages. DHEA is a precursor to male (androgens) and female (estrogens)
steroid hormones.
DHEA seems to increase a feeling of vitality in many people. According
to October 11, 1996 issue of The Medical Letter™ on Drugs and Therapeutics(1).
- "...open, uncontrolled trials in patients with multiple sclerosis found
that DHEA increased subjective feelings of strength, stamina and well-being,
but did not improve disability..."(2) (This means that it helped them
feel better and stronger).
- "...a six-month, double-blind crossover trial comparing 50 mg of DHEA
daily with placebo in 13 men and women, 40 to 70 years old, found that
this dose of the drug restored serum levels of the hormone to those found
in young adults, and increased serum levels of insulin-like growth factor
in both sexes...a majority of patients treated with the hormone, and almost
none of those treated with placebo, reported an increase in physical and
psychological well-being(3)....a 12-month trial with 100 mg of DHEA daily
in eight women and eight men aged 50 to 65 produced similar results..."(4)
RESEARCH BRIEF
DHEA is an abbreviation for dehydroepiandrosterone, a hormone produced
primarily in the adrenal glands. It is also produced in other parts of
the body including the testicles, ovaries, and brain. After production,
the bloodstream carries DHEA to tissues and cells. Some of it is converted
to the sex hormones testosterone and estrogens. Cholesterol is the starting
material to make all steroid hormones in the body. In the adrenal glands,
cholesterol is converted to pregnenolone. Therefore pregnenolone is the
very top of the hormone pyramid. Pregnenolone is converted to DHEA and
a number of sex hormones including testosterone and estrogens.
Some researchers estimate that humans make between 10 and 15 mg of DHEA
daily, but other researchers have estimated higher levels. The production
of most steroids in the body is controlled by a feedback loop. When hormone
levels get too high, the body makes less of it, and when hormone levels
are too low, the body makes more. However, DHEA is an exception to this
rule. Preliminary studies do not seem to indicate a feedback loop for
DHEA. It is suggested that small supplement DHEA dosage will not stop
our body's natural DHEA production. However, supplementation with high
DHEA dosages and for a long period could have an influence in the body's
natural DHEA production.
FAQs
Q. Can anyone--including children--take this supplement?
A. DHEA is recommended for adults only.
Q. Do I need to ask my doctor before I start taking this supplement?
A. It is always wise to consult with your physician before using
any dietary supplement.
