DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, is a steroidal hormone produced by your brain, gonads and adrenal glands. DHEA is the most abundant circulating steroid in your body and serves many functions. DHEA is available in the U.S. as an over-the-counter supplement and often promoted for its health benefits, especially energy boosting and anti-aging. It is considered a performance-enhancing substance by the International Olympic Committee and various professional sports leagues. There is good scientific that DHEA can treat some conditions. Consult with your doctor before using DHEA supplements.
Good Scientific Evidence
According to Mayo Clinic, several quality studies suggest that DHEA may improve your well-being, quality of life, exercise capacity, sex drive and hormone levels if you have systemic lupus and insufficient adrenal function, or Addison's disease. DHEA is a cortisol antagonist, which has an anti-depressant effect, especially for those suffering from anxiety. Further, most clinical trials investigating the effect of DHEA on weight loss support its use for this purpose. A 2010 study conducted by Dr. Adrian Shulman of Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of Medicine and the Meir Medical Center found that women who took DHEA supplements before an infertility treatment were three times more likely to conceive than those who did not.
Longevity for Men
DHEA is often touted as an anti-aging supplement able to extend life, and there is some evidence to support this. A Japanese study published in a 2008 edition of the "Journal of the American Geriatrics Society" found that low levels of DHEA were associated with shorter lifespan and that higher DHEA levels were a strong predictor of longevity in men, even after adjusting for age, blood pressure and plasma glucose. The study was conducted from 1978 until 2005 and studied the serum DHEA levels in 940 men and women. No relationship was found between serum DHEA and longevity for women during the study period.
Unclear Scientific Evidence
There are many other conditions that DHEA may benefit, and some scientific evidence supports these benefits, although conflicting data make the overall recommendations unclear. According to the "Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties," some studies report possible benefits of DHEA supplementation in patients with atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, cervical lesions, menopausal disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, age-related senility, schizophrenia and erectile dysfunction. DHEA is currently not considered a cure or valid treatment for any of these conditions by the medical community.
Side Effects
According to the book "Human Biochemistry and Disease," high levels of DHEA and other endogenous sex hormones are strongly associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer in pre- and post-menopausal women. High levels can also lead to heart palpitations, nervousness, insomnia and headaches. Consulting with your primary care physician is important if you are considering supplementing with DHEA.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Evidence for DHEA Supplementation
- American Friends of Tel Aviv University: DHEA Supplementation
- "Journal of the American Geriatrics Society"; Serum DHEA Sulfate Levels Predict Longevity in Men: 27-Year Follow-Up Study in a Community-Based Cohort (Tanushimaru Study); M. Enomoto et al; June 2008
- "Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties"; Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2010
- "Human Biochemistry and Disease"; Gerald Litwack; 2008
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