Information on DHEA

DHEA is pure pharmaceutical grade Dehydroepiandrosterone and is a naturally occurring steroidal hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex. Levels of DHEA are quite high at birth, drop during childhood, and reaches peak during young adulthood and drops off as we age. This hormone is sometimes referred to as The Fountain of Youth hormone because it counteracts the stress hormone (cortisol) that cannibalizes the body and can cause the destruction of tissues. DHEA is also referred to as the “mother hormone” because the body converts it into two other well-known steroid hormones, estrogen and testosterone.

DHEA levels are lower than normal in people with kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, anorexia, Addison’s disease, and AIDS. It is thought that certain prescription medications used to treat these disorders, such as insulin, corticosteroids, opiates, and danazol, may suppress the production of DHEA in the body. Preliminary research suggests that DHEA may indeed help treat or prevent these diseases. People with currently taking these medications may want to supplement DHEA, but not without first consulting their physicians.

DHEA may indeed one day be proven to be a wonder drug. There have been several small studies performed that indicate DHEA may help treat numerous other disorders as well, including Crohn’s disease, depression, menopause, myotonic dystrophy, irregular menstrual cycle, schizophrenia, and erectile dysfunction, to name a few.

DHEA supplements are available in tablets, capsules, and topical cream. It is also added to many combination supplements that claim to increase muscle mass, longevity, libido, etc. If you think you have low DHEA levels, a simple blood or saliva test at your physician’s office is the best way to confirm this.

Benefits of DHEA supplementation include:

· Boosted sex drive

· Enhancing moods and energy levels

· Improving the immune system

· Weight and body fat loss

· Increase in lean body mass