What is it?" and "How will it benefit me?

DHEA is a normal hormone produced by the adrenal cortex in every human being. DHEA goes on to produce either estrogen in women or testosterone in thecells of men.    Seventy-fivepercent of our so-called sex steroids are produced in this manner. The other twenty-five percent comes from the testicles or the ovaries. This is a HORMONAL COMPOUND PRODUCED NORMALLY IN THE BODY.  As far as we know, it has never been associated with any serious side effects when taken in physiologic amounts.

 DHEA acts as an anti-aging drug with multiple properties on different parts of the body.  It has been shown that a large percentage of people after the age of 40 WILL HAVE A 15-20% DECREASE EVERY TEN YEARS IN DHEA LEVEL. This drop is in comparison to a high level during productive healthy years.

 How do we know if an individual needs DHEA?              The best way is to by a simple blood test, which measures DHEA-S.  No deficiency of DHEA (high youthful levels) indicates that replacement is not necessary.  It is important to determine if one is deficient in DHEA before replacement therapy is started.  Also, it is important that an active form of DHEA be taken.  Many companies make products that are not in the active state and are useless.

 The only minor side effect is in women.  They can get acne and facial hair.  This is totally reversible by lowering the dose to the proper amount.  It will not occur in patients who get normal amounts. 

 In conclusion, DHEA is a normal substance that our body produces every day.  It is a hormone no different from what the body produces such as insulin or thyroid hormone.  However, modern medicine has not recognized the need to replace this hormone. It has been used safely in Europe for 20-30 years without any serious complications.  It is important to note that DHEA is frequently reduced or absent after age 40.  The most dramatic result is an increase in well-being and energy level over 3-5 months in people who are on replacement therapy.  The micronized form is best because of increased absorption by bypassing the liver.

Below is a list of many of the positive effects DHEA has on humans:

1.    Chronic fatigue is markedly reduced.

2.    Works as an anti-depressant.

3.    Excellent hormone replacement for postmenopausal estrogen.

4.    It enhances our resistance to different types of infections.  This includes viral, protozoal, and bacterial infections.

5.    Enhances Influenza immunizations in elderly patients.

6.    Leads to increased testosterone in males.

7.    Leads to increased estrogen level in females. 

8.    Cholesterol lowering effects.

9.    Anti-aging may be one of its actions.

10.    It is used as a cancer preventative.  Potent anti-tumor activity.

11.    Hypersensitivity disease.

12.    Helps with asthma in small children

13.    Juvenile diabetes.

14.    HIV particularly with chronic illness and stress.

15.    Neurosteroid produced somewhat by the brain.  It enhances memory performance.

16.    Used to block corticosteroid stress related events.  This hormone is very effective in blocking a lot of the stress response.  This effect is thought to be due to strong anti-oxidant activity.

17.    Rheumatoid arthritis is thought to be slightly suppressed and reversed when DHEA is given to patients.

18.    Treatment for melanoma, pancreatic cancer, and renal cancer.  Further studies needed.

19.    Blood pressure lowering. 

20.    Has been approved by the FDA as a treatment for Lupus.  High doses are used and have been shown to be quite safe. Used for autoimmune disease as well.

21.    MS patients were given large doses of DHEA with great benefit.    

22.    May be some benefit in CNS cord damage.

23.    In Japan it has been used in high doses intravenously to dilate a woman's cervix during her first delivery
without serious side effects.