Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a naturally occurring hormone in the human body that is secreted by the adrenal glands. As DHEA levels begin to decrease after the age of 30, some individuals seek out foods and supplements to maintain their supply of the health-promoting hormone. Although wild yams and soy are two foods that can be used to create DHEA in a laboratory setting, simply eating these foods does not increase your DHEA levels.
Definition
DHEA is commonly available in supplements and medicines containing chemicals derived from the wild yam and soy foods. According to the Mayo Clinic, a variety of studies have been performed on the potential benefits of taking DHEA, and DHEA deficiencies have been linked with a variety of debilitating conditions including anorexia, end-stage kidney disease, AIDS, adrenal insufficiency and type 2 diabetes. Opiates, corticosteroids, danazol and some insulin treatments may cause depletion in your DHEA levels.
Foods and DHEA
Wild yams contain the chemical diosgenin, which can be made into DHEA and other steroids in a laboratory. According to MedlinePlus, there are over 600 species of wild yam, only 12 of which are considered edible. Soybeans and wild yams require a specific chemical reaction to produce DHEA; this reaction does not occur in the human body.
Benefits
According to the Mayo Clinic, DHEA may be effective in reducing symptoms such as obesity, depression, adrenal insufficiency, lupus, cardiovascular disease, cervical cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome and some menopause disorders. Oral DHEA supplements may improve the appearance of older people’s skin by increasing thickness and moisture. Some improvements to sexual performance in men have also been linked to DHEA, although these benefits are not present if an erectile dysfunction is caused by diabetes or nerve disorders.
Safety
Although no studies have been performed on the long-term effects of DHEA, excess intake of DHEA supplements can cause high levels of androgens and estrogens, potentially increasing the risk of prostate, breast or ovarian cancer. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about your current level of DHEA and follow the dosage recommended on the product label.
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