Dehydroepiandrosterone, more commonly known as DHEA, is a natural hormone that acts as a precursor to sex hormones in both men and women. Your production of this important hormone decreases after the age of 30, explains MayoClinic.com. DHEA is available as an over-the-counter supplement made from natural foods, but it doesn't have the same function in your body. If you are considering taking a DHEA supplement, talk with your health care provider as a precautionary step.
Function of DHEA
DHEA is an endogenous hormone, meaning it is made by your body. It is used to slow or reverse effects of aging, increase muscle mass in athletes, treat certain diseases and to help with sexual disorders, such as erectile dysfunction. While these are common uses of over-the-counter forms of DHEA, supplements have quality control issues which limits their function, explains Medline Plus. Some DHEA supplements have been tested and don't provide any DHEA.
Populations with Low DHEA
In addition to the decrease in DHEA as you age, certain other populations are at risk for having low DHEA. Suffering from anorexia nervosa, end-stage renal failure, Type 2 diabetes or AIDS can put you at risk for low DHEA levels. Additionally, medications such as insulin, corticosteroids and opiates can reduce DHEA in your body. Diminished DHEA can lead to poor sexual performance, weakened bones, depression or other psychological disorders.
Wild Yam
Wild yam is a plant that contains diosgenin, a chemical that can be made into DHEA, in the root and bulb. Diosgenin is often made into an extract that you can add to foods or ingest by itself. You can eat the root and bulb of the plant, but only 12 of the 600 species are edible. Wild yam and diosgenin are usually marketed as natural forms of DHEA. While DHEA can be made from diosgenin in the lab, it does not have this same conversion in your body. Taking wild yam extract or eating the plant does not increase DHEA in your body, says Medline Plus.
Soy
Soy also provides chemicals that can be made into DHEA in the lab, but just as with wild yam, it cannot functinon as DHEA in the body. Eating soy foods, such as tofu, soybeans or soy milk, may actually decrease the effects of DHEA in your body. Interestingly, following a strict vegetarian diet has been shown to keep high levels of DHEA in your blood, but these effects diminish once you go through menopause.
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