DHEA is a hormone purported by supplement companies to help a wide variety of conditions ranging from impotence to Alzheimer's disease. Yet scientific evidence is lacking to support these claims. The overall impact of this hormone remains a bit of a mystery to doctors and scientists. There is some research that links both high and low levels of DHEA to cancer. Make sure you check with your doctor before supplementing with DHEA.
Identification
DHEA is produced in the adrenal glands. According to Dr. Harvey Simon, "The Harvard Medical School Guide to Men's Health," DHEA is made from cholesterol and is the most abundant hormone in young men. But DHEA is not only found in men's bodies; women also produce this hormone, although at lower levels. DHEA converts into several hormones, including androstenedione, androgens and estrogens, the latter two being both male and female hormones.
Connection
DHEA may help in cancer prevention. This is due to the fact that some research has linked low levels of DHEA to the development of cancer, particularly of breast cancer, according to Dr. Kenneth Bock in his book, "The Road to Immunity." However, a study published in the "Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers Prevention" journal in May of 2006 found no connection between DHEA levels and breast cancer risk overall, but DHEA was positively associated with estrogen receptor-positive/progesterone receptor-positive breast cancer in pre-menopausal women.
Amount
Interestingly enough, it seems that both too low DHEA and too high DHEA may create a higher risk for cancer. In his book, "Keeping Abreast: Ways to Prevent Breast Cancer," Dr. Khalid Mahmud notes that research suggests that low DHEA is related to pre-menopausal breast cancer, while high DHEA levels are associated with post-menopausal breast cancer. However, even though in some studies on mice, DHEA did inhibit cancer growth, the problem is that DHEA can convert into both testosterone and estrogen. High estrogen is sometimes linked to breast cancer.
Considerations
DHEA can have unknown effects if taken in supplemental form, so be sure to see your doctor before using this supplement. Possible side effects include acne, digestive disturbances, high blood pressure and a deepening of the voice. Women in particular should not supplement with DHEA unless a doctor prescribes it. Since DHEA can convert into estrogen, you should not take it if you are at risk for estrogen-dominant diseases.
References
- "The Harvard Medical School Guide to Men's Health"; Harvey B. Simon, MD; 2004
- "The Road to Immunity"; Kenneth Bock, MD; 1997
- "Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers Prevention"; The association of plasma DHEA and DHEA sulfate with breast cancer risk in predominantly premenopausal women; SS Tworoger, et. al; May 2006
- "Keeping Abreast: Ways to Prevent Breast Cancer"; Khalid Mahmud, MD; 2008
