DHEA: The Anti-Aging Hormone

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Dehydroepiandrosterone, commonly known as DHEA, is a hormone naturally produced by the body, playing a crucial role in the production of other hormones like estrogen and testosterone. With its levels peaking in early adulthood and gradually declining with age, DHEA supplements have garnered attention for their potential to replenish these diminishing hormone levels. This article explores the various benefits associated with DHEA supplementation, from supporting muscle strength and bone density to enhancing mood and overall health, delving into the science and research behind this naturally occurring hormone.

What Is DHEA?

DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, is not only a crucial hormone produced by the adrenal glands but also serves as a foundational element in the synthesis of both male and female sex hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. This natural production of DHEA reaches its highest levels during early adulthood, marking a peak in its contribution to various bodily functions. However, as individuals age, DHEA levels start to diminish, sparking interest in its potential impact on aging, physical fitness, and general well-being.

The decline in DHEA associated with aging has led to the exploration of DHEA supplements, which are commonly extracted from plants like wild yam or soy. These supplements are sought after for their potential to mimic the hormone’s natural benefits, including supporting muscle mass and strength, enhancing bone density, and improving cardiovascular health. Beyond its physical benefits, DHEA is also thought to play a significant role in immune system regulation, metabolism efficiency, and mental health support, including mood stabilization and cognitive function enhancement.

Given its wide-ranging influence on health, DHEA supplementation has become a topic of interest for those looking to maintain youthfulness and vitality. However, it’s important for individuals considering DHEA supplements to consult healthcare professionals, as the balance of hormones is crucial for overall health and well-being. Research continues to investigate the optimal use of DHEA in promoting health and delaying the effects of aging, with ongoing studies aiming to further understand its benefits and potential risks.

What Are the Benefits of DHEA?

• Supports Adrenal Function: DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, is a hormone produced primarily by the adrenal glands. These glands are responsible for producing various hormones that regulate metabolism, immune function, and stress response. By supplementing with DHEA, people can support the health and efficiency of their adrenal glands, especially during periods of stress or as they age. [PMID: 25022952]
• Muscle Strength: Studies have shown that DHEA supplementation can be beneficial for muscle strength and physical performance, particularly in older adults. It’s believed that DHEA helps to increase muscle mass and strength by altering muscle protein synthesis and reducing body fat. [PMID: 16787962]
• Improves Bone Density: DHEA plays a crucial role in bone metabolism. Its supplementation has been linked to increased bone density, especially in postmenopausal women who are at a higher risk of osteoporosis. This is likely due to DHEA’s ability to influence bone formation and resorption processes. [PMID: 32504237]
• Boosts Mood: Research has shown that DHEA supplementation can have a positive effect on mood and may help alleviate symptoms of mild to moderate depression. The mechanism behind this is not completely understood, but it is thought that DHEA influences brain chemicals that are involved in mood regulation. [PMID: 30124161]
• May Improve Skin Health: Topical DHEA has been observed to have positive effects on the skin. It may improve skin hydration, thickness, and appearance, likely due to its role in the production of collagen and other skin-supporting compounds. [PMID: 18242894]
• Supports Sexual Health: DHEA supplementation may benefit sexual health. It is known to play a role in the production of sex hormones, which are crucial for maintaining sexual function and libido. This aspect of DHEA’s benefits is particularly noted in persons with decreased sexual function due to aging or hormonal imbalances. [PMID: 28118059]

Chemistry: How DHEA Converts To Hormones

DHEA supplements are converted into more potent sex hormones, including testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This conversion begins with DHEA and ends with testosterone, which can further be converted into DHT.

While testosterone is known for its vital role in muscle mass, bone density, and libido, DHT is a more potent androgen that plays significant roles in facial hair growth, deepening of the voice, and other male characteristics.

However, DHT is also implicated in less desirable effects, such as male pattern baldness and the enlargement of the prostate.

Balancing DHEA supplementation to optimize health benefits while minimizing the risk of elevated DHT levels requires careful monitoring and understanding of these hormonal pathways.

Food Sources of DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)

Why DHEA Testing Is Critical

Testing DHEA levels is a critical step before starting supplementation to ensure it is genuinely needed and to avoid the potential risks associated with taking excessive amounts. DHEA is a potent hormone that influences the body’s endocrine system, playing a pivotal role in the synthesis of sex hormones, affecting muscle strength, bone density, metabolism, and mental health. As DHEA levels naturally decline with age, some individuals may consider supplementation to counteract age-related decreases and support overall health. However, because of its powerful hormonal effects, supplementing without knowing one’s current DHEA levels can lead to an imbalance in hormone levels, possibly causing a range of side effects from acne and hair loss to mood swings and changes in menstrual cycles.

Moreover, excessive DHEA can lead to more severe health issues, such as increasing the risk of certain cancers that are hormone-sensitive, like breast and prostate cancer. Therefore, it’s imperative to have a healthcare provider test your DHEA levels through a simple blood or saliva test before beginning any supplementation. This test will help determine if your DHEA levels are indeed lower than optimal for your age and health status, thereby guiding the dosage of supplementation if necessary.

Regular monitoring is also crucial to ensure that supplementation does not elevate DHEA levels beyond the normal range, maintaining the delicate balance of hormones in the body. By taking these precautionary steps, individuals can make informed decisions about DHEA supplementation, leveraging its potential benefits while minimizing risks, and ensuring that the intervention supports health effectively and safely.

Online Lab Ordering

If your physician approves of DHEA supplementation, you will want to have your dosage adjusted to your needs. To do this, your physician will order labs to find out your DHEA level and will monitor your levels as they change with supplementation. Alternatively, you can request your DHEA levels online through the Nutriscape Lab Shop.

Is DHEA Safe?

DHEA is generally considered safe for most people when used in appropriate amounts. As a hormone naturally produced by the body, DHEA supplementation aims to restore levels that decrease with age. While excessive use can lead to hormonal imbalances and potential side effects, most studies on DHEA have found minimal side effects when taken in recommended doses. This safety profile makes DHEA a viable option for those looking to address specific age-related conditions or hormonal imbalances, ensuring its use aligns with their overall health and wellness goals

Medication Interactions with DHEA

• Insulin or Oral Diabetes Medications: DHEA can affect blood sugar levels, reducing the effectiveness of diabetes medications. It might necessitate adjustments in medication dosage to maintain proper blood sugar control.
• Estrogen: DHEA can influence estrogen levels in the body. When taken with estrogen, it might amplify or reduce the effects of estrogen-based medications, impacting hormone balance.
• Testosterone: Since DHEA can be converted into testosterone in the body, using it with testosterone medications might increase the effects of testosterone, leading to an imbalance.
• Anticoagulants (Blood Thinners) like Warfarin: DHEA may interact with blood thinners, possibly increasing the risk of bleeding. Regular monitoring and possible adjustment of anticoagulant dosage are advised.
• Antipsychotic Medications: DHEA might interfere with the effectiveness of certain antipsychotic drugs, requiring adjustments in the treatment regimen.
• Corticosteroids: Since DHEA can affect hormone levels, its use with corticosteroids might alter the effectiveness of these medications, influencing immune response and inflammation control.
• Lithium: DHEA might change how the body responds to lithium, a medication used for bipolar disorder. This interaction could require adjustments in lithium dosage to maintain stable mood levels.
• Certain HIV Medications: DHEA may interact with some drugs used in HIV treatment, possibly affecting their effectiveness and the body’s response to the medication.

Supplement Interactions with DHEA

• St. John’s Wort: This supplement can influence hormone metabolism. When taken with DHEA, it might alter the way the body processes hormones, may lead to an imbalance.
• Ginkgo Biloba: Ginkgo may affect hormone levels, including those of DHEA. Using it in conjunction with DHEA could amplify or diminish the effects of DHEA on the body.
• Melatonin: Since both melatonin and DHEA influence hormone levels, combining them might disrupt the body’s natural hormone balance, affecting sleep and circadian rhythms.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 supplements might interact with DHEA, influencing overall hormone balance and possibly the effectiveness of DHEA.
• Saw Palmetto: Often used for prostate health, saw palmetto might interact with DHEA by affecting hormone levels, especially testosterone and estrogen.
• Red Clover: This supplement contains isoflavones, which can mimic estrogen. When taken with DHEA, red clover might alter the hormonal effects of DHEA, especially in relation to estrogen.
• Tribulus Terrestris: Known to affect testosterone levels, combining this with DHEA could lead to an increase in testosterone-related effects or imbalances.
• Licorice Root: Licorice can influence adrenal function and hormone levels. When used with DHEA, it could affect the metabolism and effectiveness of DHEA.

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Food First!

Although this article discusses supplements in detail, don’t forget that we are absolutely committed to the “Food First” approach to nutrition. When it comes to your health, the totality of your eating habits far surpasses the impact of individual nutrients or any single supplement you consume. Even though this article doesn’t delve into the broader picture of your overall diet, it’s crucial to keep this element at the forefront of our minds. Your food needs to provide all the vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals to nourish your body systems down to the cellular level.

Food choices, rather than supplements, are the most critical factors for a healthy gut microbiome. These trillions of tiny inhabitants in your gut affect your brain waves; they orchestrate your immune system. They possess the power to create molecules that can switch genes on or off and are even capable of synthesizing neurotransmitters. Opting for organic foods and steering clear of plastic packaging (including those labeled BPA-free) is a smart move to limit toxin exposure. The sum of all these parts leads to a powerful conclusion: the ultimate key to your health lies in the quality and balance of the food you consume. Supplements are secondary.

What To Eat

To Sum It Up

DHEA supplements offer a range of health benefits, particularly for those experiencing age-related declines in hormone levels. These benefits include supporting adrenal gland function, enhancing muscle strength, improving bone density, boosting mood, and contributing to healthy aging. DHEA may also improve skin health and support sexual health. While promising, it’s important to consider potential interactions with medications and other supplements. As with any supplement, the effects of DHEA can vary from person to person.

This Article is Not a Substitute for Medical Advice

Dietary supplements are not designed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The Supplement Sciences website seeks to provide comprehensive access to the most relevant supplement information along with convenient online ordering. We do not provide medical advice and cannot guarantee that every product suggested is completely without risk. Since each person is unique in their health history and medication use, it is important to discuss supplements with your personal physician. Specifically, pregnant women and individuals being treated for cancer or liver or kidney problems must consult their physician about every nutritional supplement they plan to take. People taking medications for the treatment of HIV or with a history of organ transplant must not take supplements without consulting with their physician.