DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal glands. Studies show that levels in the blood usually drop up to 90% from age 20 to age 90. A direct hormone action of DHEA on the body has not been demonstrated but it is a chemical precursor to the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone. Research has shown that DHEA has anti-aging, anti-obesity, anticancer activity and boosts immune function. Because DHEA is converted into the sex hormones, caution should be used in supplementing people who have hormone sensitive diseases such as breast and prostate cancer.
Because DHEA is a natural body chemical, it cannot be patented by drug companies. Therefore, extensive clinical trials and analysis of safety and effectiveness are lacking. So far, there are no reports of toxicity or serious side effects from using this hormone. A number of small clinical trials and animal studies indicate improvement in several areas from use of DHEA. A study using 200 mg DHEA in women with mild to moderate lupus (SLE) showed improvement in many of the disease symptoms.
A trial of DHEA in older men and women showed a protective effect on bone from osteoporosis. This effect was only seen in women over age 70.
People with adrenal insufficiency treated with DHEA had improved sexual function, sense of well-being, energy level and mood. Since a weakly functioning adrenal gland will produce less than normal DHEA, supplementing with DHEA will raise levels.
Several studies show evidence of improved sexual function in men and women who were given DHEA. Other small studies show that depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, HIV infection and immune dysfunction may also benefit from DHEA.
Although a cause and effect relationship has not been established, low DHEA levels and coronary artery disease have been linked together. DHEA was shown in one study to keep platelet cells from clotting together. Abnormal clotting is a major trigger to the sudden blockage of coronary arteries that causes heart attacks.
Although DHEA can be bought as a non-prescription supplement, there is the potential problem of promotion of hormone sensitive cancers. I advise having blood levels checked of DHEA-s and your dosing monitored by your physician. The optimal level of DHEA-s for men is in the range 400-560 mcg/dl and for women it is 350-430 mcg/dl. The dosage necessary to attain this range can vary greatly but typical doses are from 15 to 100 milligrams once daily. Additional information on using DHEA can be found at the website for Life Extension Foundation www.lef.org.
Daniel Blodgett MD