DHEA has been dubbed the “mother of all steroids”. It is the most abundant steroid in the body and is involved in the manufacture of testosterone, oestrogens, progesterone, and corticosteroid. It is in the sulphated form (DHEAS) when circulating in the blood.
DHEA & Aging
Its blood level declines continuously and sharply from adolescence to old age, and parallels to that of HGH. By age 65, the production drops to about 10 - 20% of that at age 20.
Its decline has been correlated with an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease in men (not women), decreased immune system function in both sexes, decreased insulin sensitivity, and decreased IGF-I levels.
Out of a group of men between 60 and 80, those with the highest levels of DHEA were younger, leaner, and more fit and had higher testosterone levels than those with the lowest levels.
DHEA Replacement Therapy
DHEA is just one of the important hormones in an overall hormone replacement therapy program. It may mediate some of its anti-aging effects through increasing the levels of IGF-I, although it does not affect the HGH level itself.
It is readily available in health food store. Dosages commonly range from 25 to 150mg, but it is best to start at the lower end at 25 - 50mg per day, and raise the dosage later if necessary. 50mg is usually all that required to bring DHEA up to youthful levels.
Although there is no evidence that its use causes an increased risk of breast or prostate cancer, but if one already has either of these cancers it can cause increased growth of the tumour because the body can convert it into estradiol and testosterone. Therefore it is recommended to screen for breast cancer with a mammogram and a breast exam; and prostate cancer with a PSA and rectal exam prior to starting therapy.
Potential Benefits
- Increase in lean muscle mass
- Decrease in fat mass
- Increase in immunity function for killing viruses and tumor cells
- Reduce risk of age-related diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis
- Improve blood sugar control and prevent diabetes
- Improve auto-immune diseases such as lupus
- Increase responses to vaccines
- Protect against Alzheimer’s disease
- Increase in perception of psychological and physical well-being
- Better sleep, increased energy, less stress
- Increase life expectancy