Dehydroepiandrosterone is a hormone that occurs naturally in human beings. Supplemental forms of DHEA are sometimes used as a treatment for conditions that include osteoporosis, lupus, schizophrenia, age-related skin changes and erectile dysfunction. DHEA supplements come in a variety of forms, but supplements labeled as "natural DHEA" do not contain the hormone. Consult your doctor before you take a DHEA or "natural DHEA" supplement.
Background
Both men and women produce DHEA in their livers and adrenal glands; men also produce the hormone in their testicles. Once DHEA is formed, it gets chemically converted into another hormone, called androstenedione. In turn, your body uses androstenedione to create both female and male sex hormones. Your levels of natural DHEA drop as you age. You can also develop low DHEA levels if you have depression or a number of other conditions or ailments. Most people can safely use DHEA supplements for as long as several months, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus. Longer use increases your risks for DHEA-related side effects.
DHEA-Containing Supplements
In most cases, supplemental DHEA comes from a plant called the Mexican wild yam, or Discorea villosa, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. This plant contains a substance called diosgenin, which can be converted into DHEA in a laboratory setting, UMMC continues. Supplement manufacturers can also get diosgenin from other wild yam species, or from soybeans. In addition to DHEA or dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA-containing supplements go by names that include DHEA-S, prasterone, DS, DHA, DHEA-FA, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, C19 steroid, DHEAS, GL701, 7-oxo-DHEA and 7-KETO DHA.
Wild Yam and Soy
Some supplement manufacturers market products that contain soy or wild yam as forms of "natural DHEA." However, both MedlinePlus and UMMC note that the human body apparently cannot perform the chemical steps required to convert diosgenin into DHEA. Since both soy and wild yam contain diosgenin, not DHEA, this means that supplements based on these plant products cannot supply your body with DHEA. If your doctor advises you to take DHEA, avoid wild yam and soy and pick a product known to contain the hormone.
Considerations
You can purchase DHEA supplements in forms that include under-the-tongue drops, tablets, capsules, topical creams and chewing gum. There is some variation in the quality of available supplements, MedlinePlus explains. Some products contain more of the hormone than their labels claim, while other products labeled as DHEA don't contain any significant amounts of the hormone at all. Consult your doctor for advice on choosing a supplement that delivers a known, consistent supply of the hormone. Also consult your doctor for information about DHEA safety and potential DHEA side effects.
Member Comments