IS DHEA A HEALTHY SUPPLEMENT?

DHEA, Dehydroepiandrosterone (try saying it 3 times faster to give your mouth a workout and burn some calories), sometimes called Androstenolone, is an endogenous steroidal hormone precursor. DHEA is among the most abundant steroids naturally produced by your body. According to experts at the Mayo Clinic, DHEA is a steroidal hormone, produced in the adrenal glands, the gonads, and the brain. It is used to make other hormones, including testosterone and estrogen. DHEA levels peak in early adulthood and then gradually decline as part of the natural aging process (Great! Is there anything that does not decrease with aging?!?).

In the supplement world, synthetic forms of DHEA are sold as capsules, powders, tablets, topical creams, and gels. The quality of these supplements varies greatly, so be careful which manufacturers you trust (if you can trust any these days). There are various reasons why people think they should use DHEA supplements. The reasons include:

• Anti-aging protocols
• To combat depression
• To ease menopausal symptoms
• To increase muscle mass and lean body tissue
• To improve physical and sports performance

Before we get into the actual research, please consider that your hormonal (endocrine) system is among the most finely tuned systems in your body. The endocrine system runs a continuous feedback loop watching to keep your hormones in balance. When you take a supplement of any particular hormone, you run the risk of taking your hormonal system out of balance. One quick example is the bodybuilder using steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs (PED).

Effects and Research Findings

The bodybuilder believes taking steroids will boost the total testosterone in their body and enable them to put on more muscle. There are many potential side effects to PED use including health and medical issues, but let's just look at ONE right now. The dramatic increase in testosterone registers as a problem to the endocrine system, and the endocrine system has an "Aromatase" system that can transform the excess testosterone into estrogen (and other female hormones) and this is the primary reason you see so many male bodybuilders developing breasts, a condition called Gynecomastia (OH, I have SOOO many jokes to insert here, but I will abstain!).

According to the Mayo Clinic Opinion, and the Mayo Clinic is among my most trusted sources of research, the following research on DHEA and specific conditions is current as of this writing.

Adrenal inefficiency/insufficiency: DHEA may have a beneficial effect, but more research is needed.

Anti-aging: I highly recommend if you are going to supplement with DHEA (or any hormones) for an Anti-aging regimen, you first visit a Board-Certified Anti-Aging Doctor to get accurate information on the issue. Since DHEA levels naturally decrease with age, it would seem logical to give the body a boost of DHEA supplementally in order to slow the aging process. The theory exposed here is that the additional DHEA could slow the aging process, and result in improved physical and cognitive functions, improved mood, feelings of well-being, increased muscle mass, and decreased fat mass. Unfortunately, the Mayo Clinic's research did not substantiate these claims. They did report that one small study found improved skin hydration, firmness, and a reduction in age spots in seniors while taking. The Mayo Clinic recommended more research conducted on these issues.

Recommendations and Safety Concerns

Depression: The Mayo Clinic did cite evidence suggesting that DHEA might be more effective at treating depression than the placebo used and may be especially effective in patients presenting with lower-than-normal levels of DHEA.

Lupus: DHEA may have a beneficial effect, but more research is needed.

Osteoporosis: The Mayo Clinic reported that studies on the effects of DHEA on osteoporosis were mixed and suggested that more research was needed to determine if DHEA can increase bone density.

Vaginal atrophy: Many postmenopausal women experience pain and difficulty having sex as they age due to dryness and atrophy of the vaginal wall. The Mayo Clinic reported that some limited research suggests that DHEA might be effective at treating these conditions.

Muscle Size and Strength: The Mayo Clinic reported mixed results on the effects of DHEA on both size and strength improvements. Most of the studies reported no effect on muscle size or strength improvements in younger or older adults. Important to NOTE: The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has BANNED DHEA for use by any NCAA athlete.

Quality Control: Unfortunately, the Mayo Clinic reported that the manufacturer's quality controls were severely lacking, and the DHEA produced was typically poor quality.

Overall Recommendation: The Mayo Clinic summary was to avoid DHEA supplementation due to very little evidence supporting the many claims about DHEA and the many serious side effects associated with using it.

Side Effects and Safety Issues: This supplement could increase your levels of androgens and the unwanted steroidal effects. It can also increase the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers, i.e.: breast, ovarian, and prostate. Obviously, anyone with cancer, or at risk of cancer due to family history, environment, or other factors should avoid the use of DHEA.

DO NOT USE if you are:

• Breastfeeding
• Pregnant
• High Cholesterol
• Low HDL Cholesterol (DHEA has been shown to decrease HDL levels)
• Heart Disease
• Psychiatric Disorders (DHEA increases the risk of mania in people with mood disorders).

DHEA has also been shown to cause acne, oily skin, and male pattern baldness in women. If taking estrogen: DO NOT USE; DHEA with estrogen can lead to excess estrogen leading to headache, insomnia, and nausea. If taking testosterone: DO NOT USE; testosterone taken with DHEA can lead to low sperm count, enlarged breast/gynecomastia in men, and typically male characteristics in women. If you are taking any drugs of any kind, consult your doctor before taking DHEA, as many drugs interact badly with DHEA.

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