Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone secreted by the adrenal gland. It is produced naturally by the body making it an endogenous hormone. It is used by the body in converting it to another hormone called androstenedione. Androstenedione is then changed into the major male and female hormones.Studies suggest that it has a positive effect in the treatment of adrenal insufficiency, depression, induction of labor, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
DHEA is being studied if it is a factor in slowing or reversing aging, improving thinking skills in older people, and slowing the progress of Alzheimer’s disease. To date, the findings are still inconclusive and in some (such as in Alzheimer's) show no concrete positive benefit.
DHEA is banned by some sports organizations for use in active competition since it increases muscle mass, strength, and energy.
Regular exercise increases DHEA production in the body. There are also findings suggesting that reducing the intake of calories also increases the production of DHEA.
Chemicals found in wild yam and soy can be used to produce DHEA, but only in laboratory conditions. Eating these food products does not increase production of this hormone in the human body.
Low steroid levels linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease
Low levels of a naturally occurring steroid are associated with an increased risk of heart and blood-vessel disease in elderly men, a new study finds. The results will be presented Saturday at The Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting in Houston.
The steroid in question is dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, which is secreted by the adrenal gland and circulates in blood mainly in a sulfated form, DHEA-S. In other tissues, DHEA-S is converted into the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen.
Previous, smaller studies found an association between low DHEA-S levels and heart and blood-vessel, or cardiovascular, disease, although their results were inconclusive. At this time, while we know that DHEA production decreases with age, the exact health effects of its decline are unclear.
