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.
Supplement Facts
Serving Size One Capsule
100 servings
Amount per capsule: Dehydropiandrosterone 100 mg
Other Ingredients: cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, gelatin and
magnesium stearate
Directions:
One capsule daily with a meal or as recommended by
a health care
professional.
