DHEA - Dehydroepiandrosterone

DHEA - The Mother Of Hormones

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DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) is a precursor to our natural hormones secreted by the adrenal gland, shown in double-blind placebo-controlled studies to have restorative and revitalizing effects. Unfortunately, natural DHEA levels decline dramatically with age.

By age 70, your DHEA levels will likely be less associated with many degenerative conditions. DHEA Supplementation Provides:

• Powerful defense against age-related problems including diminished muscle mass, memory loss, joint discomfort, fatigue and sleep disturburance.
• Helps maintain fat-free mass. -Increases lean muscle mass & strength.
• Supports cellular energy levels and metabolism.
• Works as a testosterone precursor.
• Is an important anti-aging supplement.
• Replaces declining DHEA levels.
  
• May help decrease cholesterol levels.
• Has major antioxidant properties.
• May help to maintain youth and health.

DHEA Has a Significant Impact on Lean Body Mass:

It is the most abundant hormone found in the body. This vital hormone is the metabolic precursor to testosterone and supports muscle growth, cellular energy formation and fat metabolism.

DHEA is a catalyst for healthier, leaner eating habits, while blocking the catabolic effects that cortisol has on muscle mass. DHEA may have a profound influence on positive body composition supporting the growth of lean muscle tissue. Many bodybuilders use DHEA to ensure their bodies have the raw ingredients needed to produce sufficient testosterone, the muscle-building hormone.

DHEA has Powerful Anti-Aging Benefits: DHEA is essential for well-being and is considered to have strong anti-aging properties. It is a potent antioxidant hormone whose rapid decline after age 30 triggers many degenerative diseases associated with aging. DHEA is considered to be absolutely essential for any anti-aging, longevity program. DHEA levels peak around age 25 for men and 20 for women, and then decline steadily with age. Studies show that DHEA supplementation can potentially slow the aging process, improve testosterone levels and support lean body mass and muscle strength.

DHEA Helps Lower Bad Cholesterol and Relieve Pain Caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis: DHEA may help to relieve pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis and may be helpful in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. DHEA in high doses appear to lead to significant improvement in decreasing symptoms of numbness and spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients. DHEA in 50 mg doses per day in aging men and women has led to remarkable increase in both physical and psychological well-being.

DHEA Relieves Depression: Recent double-blind clinical studies show that our decreasing levels of DHEA associated with aging is a fundamental contributor to depression among both men and women over the age of 40. This fascinating study demonstrates we are just beginning to learn of the extensive anti-aging benefits associated with DHEA in particular and hormone supplementation in general.

Please scroll down for more information on DHEA below following study.

See Study Below.

CLINICAL TRIAL NIMH

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) monotherapy in midlife-onset major and minor depression. • Schmidt PJ, • Daly RC, • Bloch M, • Smith MJ, • Danaceau MA, CLINICAL TRIAL NIMH Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) monotherapy in midlife-onset major and minor depression. • Schmidt PJ, • Daly RC, • Bloch M, • Smith MJ, • Danaceau MA, • St Clair LS, • Murphy JH, • Haq N, • Rubinow DR. Behavioral Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Rockville, MD 20892-1276, USA. PeterSchmidt@mail.nih.gov

CONTEXT: Alternative and over-the-counter medicines have become increasingly popular choices for many patients who prefer not to take traditional antidepressants. The adrenal androgen dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is available as over-the-counter hormonal therapy and previously has been reported to have antidepressant-like effects.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of DHEA as a monotherapy treatment for midlife-onset depression.

DESIGN: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover treatment study was performed from January 4, 1996, through August 31, 2002.Settings The National Institute of Mental Health Midlife Outpatient Clinic in the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Md.Patients Men (n = 23) and women (n = 23) aged 45 to 65 years with midlife-onset major or minor depression participated in this study. None of the subjects received concurrent antidepressant medications.

Intervention Six weeks of DHEA therapy, 90 mg/d for 3 weeks and 450 mg/d for 3 weeks, and 6 weeks of placebo.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The 17-Item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Additional measures included the Derogatis Interview for Sexual Functioning. Results were analyzed by means of repeated-measures analysis of variance and post hoc Bonferroni t tests.

RESULTS: Six weeks of DHEA administration was associated with a significant improvement in the 17-Item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale ratings compared with both baseline (P<.01) and 6 weeks of placebo treatment (P<.01). A 50% or greater reduction in baseline Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores was observed in 23 subjects after DHEA and in 13 subjects after placebo treatments. Six weeks of DHEA treatment also was associated with significant improvements in Derogatis Interview for Sexual Functioning scores relative to baseline and placebo conditions.

CONCLUSION: DHEA has been found to be an effective treatment for midlife-onset major and minor depression Supplement Facts DHEA also called the Mother Hormone, is produced by the adrenal glands in the adrenal cortex, testes and ovaries. It is the most abundant hormone in the bloodstream and is present at even higher levels in brain tissue. DHEA is a metabolic intermediate in the pathway for the synthesis.

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What You Need to Know About DHEA

What is DHEA

Other names: dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid hormone that's produced by the adrenal glands. The body converts DHEA to male and female sex hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone.

DHEA levels typically peak by the time people are in their 20s and decline with age, which is why there has been considerable interest in DHEA and its role in aging. In fact, DHEA supplements have been touted as an anti-aging hormone because lower levels of DHEA have been reported in some people with type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, AIDS, adrenal insufficiency, kidney disease and anorexia. Certain medications may also deplete DHEA, such as corticosteroids, insulin, opiates and danazol.

DHEA is manufactured naturally in the body, but DHEA supplements can also be made in a laboratory from a substance called diosgenin, found in soybeans and wild yam. Wild yam cream and supplements are often promoted as being a natural source of DHEA, but the body can't convert wild yam to DHEA on its own -- the conversion must be done in a laboratory.

DHEA supplements were taken off the U.S. market in 1985 because of concerns about false claims regarding its benefits. It became available only by prescription but was reintroduced as a nutritional supplement after the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act was passed in 1994.

Why Do People Use DHEA Supplements

DHEA is used as an "anti-aging" hormone and for conditions in which DHEA levels have been found to be low, however, there are very few large, well-designed human studies showing that it's effective.

• Aging
  The gradual decline in the body's DHEA levels correlate with loss of muscle mass, decreased bone density, and a decline in immune function. A study by Mayo Clinic researchers, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, looked at the effect of DHEA supplements on markers of aging, such as muscle mass, muscle strength, fat mass, peak endurance and glucose tolerance in older men and women.
  
  

  The study involved 87 men and 57 women. At the end of the two-year study, participants showed no significant change in any of the markers. It's one of the largest and longest studies on DHEA and human aging to date.

• Depression
  Clinical trials examining the effect of DHEA for depression suggest that DHEA temporarily improves symptoms of depression compared to a placebo. For example, a study sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health investigated the use of DHEA by 46 people between the ages of 40 and 65 with major or minor depression. They took DHEA for six weeks (90 mg a day for three weeks followed by 450 mg a day for three weeks) or a placebo.
  
  

  Twenty three people improved while taking DHEA, compared to 13 who responded while taking the placebo. After six weeks, 14 out of 15 people taking the placebo were still depressed, compared to eight out of 14 people taking DHEA.

  Studies on lasting mood changes, however, have had inconsistent results. More research is needed before DHEA should be used for depression, however, because the long-term effects aren't known.

• Menopause
  One small study found that 25 mg a day of DHEA may reduce symptoms of menopause. Levels of other hormones were affected, however, which may have adverse effects.
  
  
• Obesity
  In animal studies, DHEA has shown some promise in reducing genetic or diet-induced obesity. A study funded by the National Institutes of Health looked at the effect of DHEA (50 mg a day) compared to a placebo for weight loss in 56 overweight adults between the ages of 65 and 78. At the end of the six month study, people taking DHEA lost an average of two pounds compared to the people taking the placebo, who gained just over one pound.
  
  

  Although overall weight loss was minimal, results were more promising when fat loss around the abdomen was assessed. After six months, women taking DHEA lost 10% of their abdominal fat and men lost 7%.

  A large study involving 942 men in the Massachusetts Male Aging Study looked at men between the ages of 40 and 70, first in 1987 to 1989 and then again in 1995 to 1997. Researchers found that fat around the abdomen (called central obesity) was associated with lower DHEA levels.

  Although these are promising preliminary results, until we have more research on the safety and effectiveness of DHEA, researchers recommend trying other, more proven methods for weight loss.

• Osteoporosis
  Supplementation with DHEA has been studied to increase bone density. It is usually taken by mouth or applied as a cream to the inner thigh. DHEA hasn't been found to be helpful for younger women and men. Some evidence sugests it might be helpful for osteoporosis in older women. More research is needed.
  
  
• Sexual Dysfunction
  Studies on the use of DHEA for erectile dysfunction in men and sexual function in men and women have been inconsistent. A one-year study involving 280 men and women found that 50 mg a day of DHEA improved libido in women over 70 but not in younger women or men. Other studies have been mixed -- most have been too small to be meaningful or the treatment duration has been too short.
  
  
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
  Scientific evidence indicates that DHEA may enhance mental function and increase bone mass in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease affecting connective tissue. In fact, synthetic DHEA called prasterone (Prestara) is under investigation for the treatment of this condition and the prevention of loss of bone mineral density. The FDA has granted orphan drug status for the prevention of loss of bone mineral density in SLE patients taking corticosteroids.

• Adrenal Insufficiency
  Adrenal insufficiency is a condition involving low levels of adrenal gland hormones. Several studies suggest DHEA supplements may improve well-being, quality of life, and sex drive in people with adrenal insufficiency. In 2003, prasterone (Fidelin) received orphan drug status for adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficiency can only be diagnosed by a doctor. It can be a medical emergency and should be properly diagnosed and treated by a qualified health professional.

• Other Conditions DHEA has also been explored for many other conditions, such as:
  
  Alzheimer's disease
  Chronic fatigue syndrome
  Crohn's disease
  Heart disease
  Schizophrenia
  Sjogren's syndrome

• DHEA Side Effects and Safety

  DHEA is a hormone, so it should only be used under the supervision of a qualified health care practitioner or nutritionist.

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