What Is DHEA ?

What Is DHEA?

DHEA, DHEA sulfate or dyhroepiandrosterone (if you want to get technical) is a steroid hormone that is naturally produced by your adrenal glands, gonads and brain. It acts as a precursor to estrogen and testosterone, as it is converted by your body into these important two key hormones.

Now, when you hit your 30s, these DHEA levels tend to drop. And as you can guess – your testosterone and estrogen levels will drop with it.

But here is the kicker. Alongside your testosterone… your sexual drive, energy, metabolism, stamina… hell even elements of your health will all start to diminish too!

Knowing this, it is little wonder why so many people choose to take DHEA supplements as a form of treatment or alternative remedy. On the surface, it has all the appearances of being the perfect solution to your health and testosterone problems.

Why Do People Take DHEA? What Is DHEA Good For?

Low DHEA levels is something you can be tested for, so for a lot of people they choose to take DHEA simply because they want to boost their natural testosterone and estrogen production.

However, for others they use it to combat the health issues that can arise from low DHEA. For instance, low DHEA has been linked to aging, anorexia, breast cancer, heart and kidney disease, type 2 diabetes and even HIV.

Now, we’re a bit dubious of the HIV claim – coz yeah, a lot of the DHEA claims can’t be substantiated – however, given that low testosterone levels can affect your immunity, there may be something to this one. We can’t be sure.

But that is not all…

Alongside being used to reverse the signs of aging (by improving skin tone); DHEA supplements are also commonly used as an alternative remedy for many of the health issues that can arise from low testosterone and estrogen. The most common include: immunity, menopause, erectile dysfunction, depression, obesity, lupus, osteoporosis, hormone imbalances, brain function and muscle strength.

Before you get excited and jump on the bandwagon, we advise you to be cautious…

A lot of the “studies” surrounding DHEA supplements are pretty hit and miss – hell many even contradict themselves with the claims they make – so remember to take them with a pinch of salt, and don’t put all your hopes on them until you have the full facts.

What Are Different Forms Of DHEA?

Whilst our bodies naturally produce DHEA; what you find in DHEA supplements is a synthetic version of the hormone which is produced from disogenin. This is a substance found in your everyday soy and wild yams.

Now before you start stuffing your face with soy and wild yams, it is important to know that our bodies cannot convert yam compounds into DHEA on its own. We need a little help, which is where the supplements come in.

There is also DHEA sulfate or DHEA-S to consider – although there are no studies or data to support its use within supplements, so be wary if you see it in the ingredients list.

DHEA-sulfate is a sulfate derivative of DHEA which your body can use by turning it into androgen hormones. It is believed it can do the same job of boosting testosterone levels, but yet again there is no proof to this theory.

What Is DHEA Used For?

DHEA is most commonly used as a treatment/preventative measure to deal with the numerous health issues that can arise from low testosterone and estrogen levels.

The biggest names you’ll find on the list include: Alzheimer’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, erectile dysfunction, fibromyalgia, lupus, menopausal symptoms, metabolic syndrome, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.

Yet the benefits of DHEA are not just restricted to illnesses. It is also believed to improve sports performance, your libido and weight loss, as well as boost your immune system. More notably, its testosterone boosting capabilities have been linked to increased muscle mass and fat reduction.

And for us guys, this is probably one of the biggest draws (aside from erectile dysfunction).

Testosterone influences so many elements of our body – our ability to build muscle, fight fat and keep it up in the sack – that anything that can help is instantly going to appeal.

What Are DHEA Health Benefits?

Besides the obvious boost DHEA can give to your testosterone and estrogen levels, the biggest health benefits DHEA is good for, consist of:

• Increased hormone levels – this is especially helpful to women during the menopause.
• Alleviated sexual/erectile dysfunction.
• Improved brain function – by stimulating neurons and inhibiting cortisol, this can improve your memory, visual awareness and reduce symptoms of Alzheimer’s. It is also good for enhancing the emotional regulation of your memory by healing the connection between the amygdala and hippocampus.
• Protection against depression – due to DHEA having anti-cortisol activity.
• Increased pregnancy and fertility.
• Reductions in heart disease and hypertension (which can help keep your heart in tip top condition) – by reducing high blood pressure and lowering your cholesterol.
• Protection against inflammation – DHEA can stop inflammation, balance your immune responses (from bowel disease) and prevent neuron degeneration. It can also reduce inflammation in the lungs and hyperreactivity in your airways, which is useful if you’ve got asthma.
• Prevention of osteoporosis (although this seems to apply more to women than us guys).
• Increased REM sleep (and who can say no to more sleep?).
• Obesity and weight loss – this perk only seems to benefit obese guys (sorry ladies) as it can help reduce blood insulin levels, lower cholesterol and boost energy levels. Now for women it appears to have the opposite effect and can help those dealing with anorexia. In a study, it helped them to gain weight and benefit from better moods.
• Lower insulin resistance – combined with exercise, DHEA can help lower insulin resistance and increase weight loss.
• Bone health – DHEA offers the combo of increasing bone formation whilst inhibiting bone cell death. This can help to raise your bone volume and mineral density.
• Prevention of muscle dystrophy – this is achieved by protecting you against cell oxidation and cell death. It also increases the effects of antioxidants, helping to stop muscle atrophy.
• Helps Lupus – DHEA can provide a short-term benefit as it can help lessen the symptoms and lower cholesterol.

What Is The Standard DHEA Dosage?

You would think that given the amount of concerns there are surrounding the impact high DHEA dosages can have on your health, there would be more restrictions on dosages. There isn’t. In fact, there is no standard dosage for DHEA, meaning you could arguably take as much or as little as you want.

Because of this, we strongly recommend speaking to your doctor first before you touch this supplement, as you don’t want to risk taking too much.

DHEA For Men – Possible Uses And Benefits?

Easily the biggest reason men use DHEA is because of its ability to boost declining testosterone levels as we age, and the many negative effects that arise from this fall.

And there is some merit to the idea. Increase your natural testosterone levels and you can enjoy the following DHEA benefits: stronger immunity; improved mood and memory; decreased fat mass and weight loss; bolstered libido, stamina and performance (both in the sack and on the field – there’ll be nothing ‘limp’ about you); increased sperm production, and best of all improved erectile dysfunction, muscle mass and bone density (depending on the study you read).