For many years DHEA, or
dehydroepiandosterone, was considered a "junk" hormone,
since researchers could not attribute any specific
function to it. In the past few years, DHEA's image
problem has been totally refurbished. It is the most
abundant hormone in humans and other mammals, and it plays
a critical role in many different bodily functions. In
fact, decrease in DHEA levels is being increasingly used
as an indicator of reduced immune response, loss of libido
and lack of a sense of general wellbeing. Clinical studies
over the past ten years show that DHEA may be the most
critical single chemical in predicting health and disease.
The body produces DHEA in the adrenal gland using
cholesterol as the starting material. It is metabolized to
androstenedione, which is converted directly to
testosterone. Like testosterone (estrogen in women) and
other critical hormones, DHEA levels peak in the second or
third decade of life, after which the decline begins. In
men, roughly one-half of DHEA is lost by age 40. Reduced
levels of DHEA mean reduced amounts of androstenedione,
testosterone and other steroid hormone metabolites. It is
interesting to note that as cholesterol in general
increases with age, DHEA levels decrease. As a result,
DHEA deficiency is associated with an array of chronic
conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, high blood
pressure, coronary artery disease, and various immune
deficiencies, including autoimmune diseases.
DHEA directly affects glucose metabolism. High blood
glucose inhibits growth hormone (GH) and low blood glucose
stimulates growth hormone. Stimulation of growth hormone
is beneficial to DHEA, because it suppresses insulin. By
the same token, fasting increases both GH and DHEA. Thus,
the importance of DHEA in intense exercise and endurance
training can hardly be overemphasized. In fact, Dr.
William Regelson of Medical College of Virginia in his
book The Superhormone Promise calls DHEA "the superstar of
hormones" and "one of the most powerful tools" available
for enhancing and extending life.
Clinical results show that oral supplementation with DHEA
can have numerous beneficial effects including:
Feelings of energy and wellbeing.
Improved insulin sensitivity and
glucose tolerance.
Reduced risk of coronary artery
diseases.
Lower obesity/waist-to-hip ratio.
Enhanced libido.
Reduced depression and increases
cognitive ability.
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