DHEA Health Benefits: The Naturally Created Steroid in the Adrenal Gland, Helps Protect Aging

What is DHEA? Is it safe, and what considerations should I have before I supplement with DHEA?

Dhea has received attention as a health supplement due to the fact that levels are known to fall precipitously with age. It is is actually the most abundant steroid in the bloodstream.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (pronounced dee-hi-dro-epp-ee-ann-dro-stehr-own), is a naturally occurring steroid hormone which is produced in the adrenal gland.

Dhea is known to be a precursor to the numerous steroid sex hormones (including estrogen and testosterone) which serve well-known functions. Although the specific mechanisms of action for Dhea are only partially understood, supplemental use of Cellfood Dhea has been shown to have anti-aging, anti-obesity and anti-cancer influences. In addition, it is known to stabilize nerve-cell growth and is being tested in Alzheimer's patients.

You will read a lot of information on Dhea and find a great deal of Dhea supplements on the market today, to choose from. Dosages range from 25 mg to 145 mg and more.

There are a few very important considerations before you start on a Dhea regimen.

These comments are based on my own study and research but are not to be construed as medical advice. You should always follow the instructions of your chosen healthcare provider. If you don't feel good about that advice, then maybe it's time to find another advisor. Neither is this information intended as any substitute for needed medical attention.

Ok, now, my two cents worth on Dhea. The general consensus I get from sources I trust is that women should not take over 25 mg of Dhea per day if they have a history of cancer in their families. I'm much more conservative. I wouldn't ever take over 10 mg myself, as a woman whether I had a history of cancer or not.

The general consensus about men taking Dhea is that the recommended general dose is 50 mg. I see supplements that have far more than that but, because I'm not a man, I don't know whether that is safe or not. To be on the safe side, whether male or female, I'd ask my doctor about dosage if there was any history of cancer in the family line.

Another factor that may suggest low dosages or not taking Dhea at all is if a woman is taking pregnenolone, sometimes misspelled as pregnalone. Pregnenolone works as a precurser to other hormones including Dhea and may increase Dhea levels, as well as progesterone levels. So, if I were taking pregnenolone, I'd be sure to ask my doctor about possible over-production of Dhea.

Find More Information about Dhea and Pregnenolone

DHEA General Information

This article courtesy of Herbal Remedies

Dhea is a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands, and is the base from which other key substances such as the hormones testosterone, progesterone, and corticosterone can be derived. Dhea is actually an intermediate in the biosynthesis of testosterone and estrogen taking place in the adrenal glands. As we age, the levels of certain hormones decline, especially dehyroepiandrosterone or Dhea. It begins to decline after the age of 30 with about a 50% decline by the age of 40 and about 85% decline by the age of 70.

DHEA Uses & Scientific Evidence

Taking Dhea supplements can help prevent cancer, arterial disease, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease, and may be of benefit for those with lupus and osteoporosis. Dhea helps boost the immune system and enhances memory as well. In clinical trials on genetically obese and normal animals, Dhea demonstrated anti-obesity (fat reducing) properties, and serum cholesterol reducing actions.

DHEA Dosage Information

It is best to read and follow product label directions before taking Dhea in your daily diet. 7-Keto Dhea is a derivative of Dhea that is not converted into estrogen or testosterone, and is good for women concerned about breast cancer, and for men concerned with prostate cancer. 7-Keto Dhea is a very good alternative to Dhea that offers the same benefits. For best results, it is beneficial to supplement with vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium to help prevent damage to the liver.

Dhea Safety & Interaction Information: If you are pregnant or nursing, please consult your health care practitioner before taking this product. Laboratory studies have shown that high doses may cause liver damage. Women may experience excess facial hair growth, which may be avoided by starting with lower daily doses.

Antiaging and DHEA

While a person at age 20 will produce about 30 mg of Dhea, the body's production of Dhea drops to less than 6 mg per day at age 80. According to Dr. William Regelson of the Medical College of Virginia, Dhea is "one of the best biochemical bio-markers for chronologic age." In some people, Dhea levels decline 95% during their lifetime - the largest decline of an important biochemical yet documented.

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By Jannis
2008-02-13 08:30:15
 

I am in my third year of remission from uterine cancer caused by my menopausal hormones going crazy. I am 54 and was wondering if I could take DHEA? If so, at what mg? Will taking it make me get cancer again? I definitely don't want to go through what I have gone through again. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 
By Dr. Leia
2008-02-17 05:30:50
 

Dear Jannis, Thank you for asking this most important question. Just because a supplement or hormone is readily available over the counter and in health food stores, does not make it a safe supplement to take or even with which to experiment. DHEA is short for Dehydroepiandrosterone, a hormone which is produced by the adrenal gland. DHEA declines in humans with aging, therefore it has been touted as an anti-aging hormone, although studies to date have not shown any definitive positive results in this regard, or any other benefits to taking it as a supplement. DHEA can raise estrogen and testosterone levels in the body, so it is not recommended if you have had cancer, especially of the female or male organs, or any other hormone-related cancers. DHEA is available over the counter in the US, however, in the European countries, it can be obtained by prescription only. Because DHEA is a precursor hormone, which means that it can be converted by the body into other hormones, it is not a wise idea for you to take it. Some doctors who do prescribe DHEA, do so after only checking and monitoring the patients laboratory levels in the blood and saliva. And most doctors do not recommend it if one has had cancer. In short, it is not recommended for people with cancer, especially hormone-related cancers, children, and adults under 40 years of age, and should not be self-dosed without laboratory monitoring.

 
By Jasper
2008-04-27 18:39:03
 

I'm a 46-year-old male. I used to take DHEA but don't at this time. I considered going back on it but articles like this one have persuaded me that the jury is still out on the safety and efficacy of this powerful hormone. Sounds like the medical community has really taken sides on this supplement. Can't we just all get along and agree or disagree together?

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