DHEA supplements are marketed as a way to gain muscle for athletes, but questions on whether this works well for this purpose still exist. Side effects from DHEA use also can make this supplement problematic. Nonetheless, DHEA continues to gain popularity since its re-introduction to the U.S. market in 1994 following a 9-year ban by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Identification
DHEA stands for dehydroepiandrosterone, a hormone that is made in the human body. It is secreted by the adrenal gland, and it serves as a precursor to both male and female sex hormones, or androgens and estrogens, according to the Mayo Clinic. Many companies that market DHEA tout it as being "two steps away from testosterone," hoping to target athletes who want to boost testosterone levels, according to Bodybuildingforyou.com. DHEA, however, also can convert into estrogen or progesterone. It can be synthesized in a laboratory using wild yam extract, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Significance
DHEA is touted as a supplement that can help build muscle strength. However, there's a good chance DHEA does not work well for this purpose. In fact, there is fair scientific evidence against DHEA for this use, according to ratings by the National Institutes of Health. The National Institute of Health (NIH) acknowledges that study results regarding DHEA for muscle strength reveal conflicting results, but points out that overall evidence is negative. The NIH does say that more research is needed before absolute conclusions are drawn.
Types
DHEA can be found in the form of chewing gum, capsules, drops that are placed under the tongue, creams and injections. The common doses range from 25 to 200 mg daily. Higher doses such as 200 to 500 mg a day have been studied for depression in HIV/AIDS. It is a legal over-the-counter drug in the United States. However, it is banned for competitive sports use, according to CBC Radio Canada, the country's national public broadcast station. DHEA has been prescribed for treating many disorders, including cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and obesity, despite lack of scientific evidence to support some of these uses.
History
DHEA was identified in 1934, and thousands of articles have been published about the hormone since then. Few studies have been conducted in humans, however, and many of the studies that have been done were either poorly designed and/or lacked control for variables that are important.
The first human study, which Nebraska-based Creighton University Medical Center points to as the one likely most responsible for generating interest in DHEA supplements, was published in 1994. Researchers investigated changes in middle-aged volunteers who took DHEA supplements and found that study participants' subjective feelings of psychological and physical well-being were increased. After this, DHEA got much attention in the media, which reported information from previous studies, mostly conducted with rodents. The studies pointed to potential benefits in treating ailments including lupus, cancer, cardiovascular disease, impaired memory and mental function and osteoporosis.
DHEA supplements were removed from the market in 1985 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration because of false claims about health benefits. However, DHEA made its way back on to the market after the U.S. Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994. Its popularity in the market continues to grow, the center notes.
Considerations
The Mayo Clinic notes that no studies detailing the long-term effects of DHEA have been conducted. Since DHEA can raise levels of androgens and estrogens in the body, it theoretically may increase risk for hormone-sensitive cancers, including breast, prostate and ovarian cancer. Also, DHEA levels are correlated with Cushing's syndrome, which can be caused when there's excessive supplementation.
Women who take DHEA may see masculinization, like deeper voices, weight gain in the waist, more facial hair and acne. Men who take DHEA may see increased breast size, testicular wasting or experience increased aggressiveness. Other hormonal side effects can impact blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels and adrenal and thyroid function.
Regular use should be supervised by a licensed health professional, the clinic recommends. Also, DHEA that is synthesized by using wild yam extract may not be converted into DHEA by your body. Thus, when wild yam is marketed as a "natural DHEA" this information may be inaccurate, the clinic warns.
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