Everyone is looking for the fountain of youth, and some people think they have found it in the supplement DHEA. Unfortunately, it does not show promise in helping seniors with feelings of well-being or cognitive function. It does show promise in other areas, but not for its intended audience. There is no such thing as DHEA deficiency. It naturally declines as you get older, but if you decide that you want to give this supplement a try, speak with your doctor first. There are medical implications that need to be considered.
Sources and Deficiency
DHEA stands for dehydroepiandrosterone, and it is a hormone that is produced by your adrenal glands, which sit on top of your kidneys. This hormone is a precursor to the sex hormones, testosterone and estrogen, and it is produced in great quantities early in your life. According to New York University Langone Medical Center, by age 60, you are only producing 5 to 15 percent of what you produced in your 20s. This has led many to look at it for anti-aging purposes. It does not have a dietary source, and there are no deficiency symptoms as with nutrients.
Dosage
Since DHEA can affect testosterone and estrogen levels, it is important to have your doctor's permission to take this supplement. According to New York University, 50 to 200 mg is a typical therapeutic dosage, but some studies have used higher dosages for various purposes. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends 50 mg per day for men over 19 and 25 mg per day for women over 19. The medical center goes on to state that 50 mg have been used for diseases of the adrenal gland, anorexia and other conditions.
Uses
DHEA has many uses, and studies are ongoing into many diseases. According to NYU Langone Medical Center, it has shown the most promise in helping female sufferers of lupus cut down on the amount of medications they need to control their symptoms. There is also some indication that it can help women with osteoporosis. Since it is a hormone of the adrenal glands, it can help with adrenal insufficiency and has shown promise in improving the libido of older women. However, it does not seem to help improve the mood or mental function of older people as some may claim.
Safety Issues
There are no long-term studies on the safety of DHEA, so it is wise to use caution when taking this supplement. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, you should not take it if you are younger than 40 or if your blood levels are less than 130 mg/dL in women and less than 180 mg/dL in men. If you have a hormone-related cancer such as breast or ovarian cancer, it may be dangerous to take DHEA. It can also be toxic to the liver, so liver patients should not use this drug. Since it causes the creation of both testosterone and estrogen, women can run the risk of masculinization, such as male pattern baldness, facial hair and acne.
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