I’ve talked to a few people lately who are taking DHEA supplements, and listening to them got me wondering about the product. I was wondering what it is, and if it works. If so, how?
According to the Mayo Clinic’s website, DHEA is a precursor to both estrogen and testosterone. More correctly known as dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA is secreted by the adrenal gland. Levels begin to fall after the age of 30, which leads many people to believe that DHEA supplements may be a way to elevate androgen or estrogen in the body, thereby alleviating some of the symptoms of aging.
In fact, according to Quackwatch.org, some rather wild claims about the benefits of DHEA have been made in the media, with some news reports billing the product as “the mother of all hormones” and a “superhormone”. These claims likely lead people to have unrealistic expectations as the the possible benefits of DHEA, without regard to the potential hazards. It should be recognized that since DHEA may increase levels of estrogen or testosterone, there is a possibility of increased risk of prostate, breast, or ovarian cancers.
The people that I know who have started taking DHEA have reported positive results. Most say that they have more energy and better emotional well-being. I should point out that they are also taking the supplements under the supervision of a doctor. The Mayo Clinic’s site suggest that there is evidence to support some of the claims about DHEA. They have an interesting grading system in place that rates the validity of the claims about DHEA’s effectiveness in treating a variety of ailments.
Based on my reading, it seems the jury is still out on DHEA. There are a number of studies ongoing on the effectiveness in treating a variety of age-related issues, and at least some of the evidence supports the idea that it may provide some benefits. As I said before, those people I know who are taking it, report good results. If you decide to pursue it, bear in mind that there are potential risks, discuss them with your doctor, and go from there. And, if anyone has tried DHEA, it would be great if you could share your experience with others. We would all welcome the input.
