DHEA supplements are marketed to treat a variety of conditions, including lupus, osteoporosis, obesity, erectile dysfunction, depression and its most popular use, as a purported miracle cure for aging. Some studies have examined the role of DHEA in managing stressful situations. However, more research is needed to conclusively determine if DHEA supplements can help with stress, says "Psychology Today" writer Jeff Wise.
About DHEA
DHEA stands for dehydroepiandrosterone, a hormone your body makes so you can produce androgens and estrogens, male and female sex hormones, respectively, states MayoClinic.Com. As you grow older, your natural DHEA levels begin to decrease, usually around the age of 30. Low DHEA levels are also noted in people with diabetes, anorexia, end-stage kidney disease and AIDS, among other illnesses. People 70 years of age have DHEA levels that are around 80 percent lower than those in younger adults, states the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, hence the leap to logic that DHEA supplements may be an anti-aging treatment.
DHEA Supplements
DHEA is made from diosgenin, which is extracted from the Mexican wild yam, says the UMMC. DHEA supplements come in numerous forms, including capsules, tablets, sublingual drops and even topical skin creams. Beware of DHEA supplements that purport to be "natural DHEA," which may contain wild yam or soy extracts. Your body cannot convert natural extracts into DHEA, states the National Institutes of Health, or NIH. Quality control problems are also associated with DHEA supplements, which often contain either no DHEA or more than the amount listed on the label.
DHEA and Stress
According to a July 2010 article in "Psychology Today," laboratory animals with high levels of DHEA are able to better weather the effects of stress, writes Wise. DHEA was studied in military divers given an arduous underwater swimming task by psychologist and Yale University researcher Charles Morgan II to determine if it exerted positive effects. "We found that there was a consistent and very positive correlation between their DHEA levels and accuracy in the task," Morgan told "Psychology Today." However, Wise points out that a similar study using DHEA during the training of Navy personnel didn't give participants a psychological edge. It's still premature to conclude that DHEA supplements can help reduce stress, Wise concludes.
Other Uses
DHEA is likely effective as a way to treat schizophrenia, lupus, erectile dysfunction and osteoporosis, states the NIH. It's also likely to improve the appearance of aging skin. However, as far as other health-related conditions are concerned, evidence is mixed or inconclusive. And there's also bad news for those who believe that DHEA supplements can stave off the effects of age; research doesn't support DHEA supplements as an anti-aging treatment, according to MayoClinic.Com.
Cautions
Avoid taking DHEA supplements if you're under 40, unless it's been determined that your DHEA levels are low, says the UMMC. Do not give DHEA to children under the age of 18. Avoid DHEA if you have a hormone-related cancer or if these cancers run in your family. DHEA supplements can cause undesirable side effects in women, such as a low voice, male hair growth pattern, aggressiveness and other masculine features. Other side effects of DHEA supplements include increased blood pressure and insulin resistance and changes in cholesterol levels, namely reduced HDL or "good" cholesterol. DHEA supplements can interact with numerous medications, including certain barbituates, AZT, estrogen, prednisolone and diabetes medications, to name only a few.
Ask an Expert
DHEA supplements contain synthetic hormones, points out the UMMC. Because they have the potential to cause side effects, interact with numerous medications and become problematic for people with existing medical conditions, always speak with your treating physician before using DHEA supplements for stress or another health-related concern.
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