Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone referred to chemically as a 19 carbon steroid. It is produced in the adrenal glands in both men and women and in the gonads of men. Blood levels of DHEA are very high at birth, decline markedly through the early years rise again at puberty and normally peak at 20-25 years of age. Following this, they steadily decline throughout the remainder of life.
DHEA was first isolated in 1934 however medical researchers never really paid any attention to it until 1986 when the New England Journal of Medicine published a study that demonstrated higher levels of DHEA resulted in a large reduction in cardiovascular mortality. Since then there has been great interest in DHEA by scientists. Aside from the cardiovascular benefits of DHEA, human epidemiologic studies suggest DHEA boosts the immune system, may be beneficial in auto immune disorders, reduces the risk of inappropriate blood clotting and elevates mood, energy and sexual libido. Additionally, animal studies on DHEA have demonstrated it is beneficial in preventing obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease and increases life span!
Aside from use by the general public, DHEA has become one of the wildest used supplements in exercise. Since DHEA blocks cortisol, one of the most catabolic hormones in the body; this makes perfect sense. Even more powerfully, DHEA has been shown to increase the natural amount of Insulin Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) produced by the body as well as precurse androgens in the male and estrogens in the female.
DHEA seem to have different observable effects on the body phsiogomy of males verses females. Males on DHEA gain lean tissue faster and appear more muscular. Conversely, females seem to lose body fat faster on DHEA. This is due to the fact that the hormone takes on an androgen pathway and redirects fat storage in the upper body verses that of the lower body. Since women normally prefer upper verses lower body fat storage for aesthetic reasons (Barbie doll figure), DHEA is a hot product in the female body shaping market.
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DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone,
is a metabolite of cholesterol that is naturally produced by the adrenal
glands. DHEA is the most abundant, naturally-occurring hormone in
the human body, and is often referred to as the "Mother Hormone"
because it acts as a precursor
that the human body can convert DHEA, upon demand, into a host of other
vital health-enhancing hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, progesterone,
and corticosterone.
DHEA is an important raw material
from which the body manufactures hormones which are very important to normal
physiological functions. DHEA levels normally decline markedly with
age, so researchers are very interested in knowing if
supplemental DHEA may have
health-enhancing or anti-aging properties.
DHEA blood levels reach their
peak around age 20, then decline in a linear fashion, making it one of
the most reliable markers for measuring biological aging. By age
80 DHEA blood levels have declined as much as 95%, signaling the onset
of the aging
process.
"DHEA is most abundant in
the human bloodstream. Research has found it to have
significant anti-aging
effects. DHEA levels naturally drop as people age, and there
is good reason to think
that taking a DHEA supplement may extend your life and
make you more youthful
while you're alive. Additionally, DHEA may be an
important player in cognitive
enhancement."
Dr. Ward Dean, M.D.
More than just a precursor
for the synthesis of other hormones, scientists have also identified specific
body cells designed to bind to DHEA. This receptor function indicates
that DHEA plays a far more direct role in human health than was
previously recognized.
There have been over 2,500 published papers documenting DHEA's multiple
benefits, but the most recent paper studied the quality of life enhancing
effect of this natural hormone: "DHEA will improve the quality of life
over
a longer period and will postpone
some of the unpleasant side effects of aging, such as fatigue and muscle
weakness." The report also stated that those patients receiving DHEA
supplements slept better, had more energy and were better equipped to
handle stress compared to
the placebo group not receiving the DHEA.
The potential benefits of DHEA have been known to the scientific community for over 20 years, but this is the first placebo controlled human study conducted that sought to assess the therapeutic benefits of DHEA replacement therapy.
" DHEA is currently being
investigated as an anti-aging hormone. New evidence
suggests this hormone is
so beneficial that it may turn out to be the most important
advance of the decade."
Dr. Alan R. Gaby, M.D.
APGL Increases the Body's
Natural Level of DHEA
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For further reading:
Bellino, F.L. and others, Eds. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Aging. Annal of the N.Y. Academy of Sciences 774, 1-350 (1995)
Biglar, B. Forever Young, The Sciences, Sept/Oct 1995, p.26-30 see also Letters in May/June 1996. p3
Sahelian, R Dhea: A pratical Guide, 1996, Avery Publishers, 1-800-548-5757.