As part of our series on supplements, this article tackles DHEA – short for the mouthfull
Dehydroepiandrosterone. Does it help you? Are the benefits worth the cost? Can it do you harm?
Read on to find out.
DHEA is an endogenous - made by your body – hormone. Secreted by the adrenal gland, DHEA
is used to make male and female sex hormones - androgens and estrogens.
DHEA levels in the body begin to taper off after age 30 and are reported to be low in some people
with anorexia, terminal kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, AIDS, adrenal insufficiency and in the
critically ill. DHEA levels can also be lowered by a number of drugs: insulin, corticosteroids,
opiates, and danazol.
DHEA is often used medically in the treatment of adrenal insufficiency, depression, induction of
labor, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
More importantly, there is also some evidence that DHEA can be used to treat obesity - hence the
huge hype as a weight control supplement. This was first based on studies in mice, however, and
may not apply to humans. Further studies in humans showed that while men increased muscle mass
and lost some fat – about 15% - women actually gained weight and increased their fat content.
Further studies gave mixed or negative results.
Testing has found that treatment with DHEA can have some, little or no effect. This partial table -
from Medline - shows some of its uses and the effectiveness grade given by doctors and medical researchers:
DHEA Uses based on scientific evidence
Grade
Adrenal insufficiency:
B
Several studies suggest that DHEA may improve well-being, quality of life, exercise capacity,
sex drive, and hormone levels in people with insufficient adrenal function (Addison's disease).
Though promising, additional study is needed to make a strong recommendation. Adrenal insufficiency
is a serious medical condition and should be treated under the supervision of a qualified health
care professional, including a pharmacist.
Depression:
B
The majority of clinical trials investigating the effect of DHEA on depression support its use
for this purpose under the guidance of specialist. Further research is needed to confirm these results.
Obesity:
B
The majority of clinical trials investigating the effect of DHEA on depression support its use
for this purpose under the guidance of specialist. Further research is needed to confirm these results.
Systemic lupus erythematosus:
B
The majority of clinical trials investigating the effect of DHEA for systemic lupus erythematosus
support its use as an adjunct treatment. Additional study is needed to confirm these results
Alzheimer's disease:
C
Initial research reports that DHEA does not significantly improve cognitive performance or change
symptom severity in patients with Alzheimer's disease, but some experts disagree. Additional study is
warranted in this area.
Bone density:
C
The ability of DHEA to increase bone density is under investigation. Effects are not clear at this time.
Cardiovascular disease:
C
Initial studies report possible benefits of DHEA supplementation in patients with cholesterol
plaques or hardening in their arteries. There is conflicting scientific evidence regarding the use of
DHEA supplements in patients with heart failure. Other therapies are more proven in this area, and
patients with heart failure or other types of heart disease should discuss treatment options with a cardiologist
Cervical cancer:
C
Initial research reports that the use of intravaginal DHEA may be safe, and may promote regression
of low-grade cervical lesions. However, further study is necessary in this area before a firm conclusion can
be drawn. Patients should not substitute the use of DHEA for more established therapies, and should discuss
management options and follow-up with a primary healthcare professional or gynecologist.
Chronic fatigue syndrome:
C
The scientific evidence remains unclear regarding the effects of DHEA supplementation in patients
with chronic fatigue syndrome. Better research is necessary before a clear conclusion can be drawn.
Sexual function:
C
The results of studies vary on the use of DHEA in erectile dysfunction and sexual function, in both
men and women. Better research is necessary before a clear conclusion can be drawn.
Skin aging:
C
Preliminary study suggests the possibility of using DHEA as an anti-skin aging agent. Further
research is needed.
Immune system stimulant:
D
Some textbooks and review articles claim DHEA can stimulate the immune system. Current scientific
evidence does not support this.
Memory:
D
Studies of the effects on cognition have produced complex and inconsistent results. Additional
study is warranted.
Muscle strength:
D
Many study results in this area conflict but overall the current available evidence in this area is
negative. Further research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn
Note: In Obesity that “further research is needed.”
It’s been called “the mother of all hormones” and a “superhormone.” Internet
web sites tout it as the “fountain of youth hormone.” The hype, as usual, was started by those
selling it. Medical professionals did, do and will continue to recommend extreme caution in using DHEA as a supplement.
Typical “effective doses” are 50 mg. taken once per day. Orally ingested pills run about $30 per bottle of 300.
However, a recent study (2006) by the Minnesota Obesity Center at the University of Minnesota found:
“…testosterone replacement in men with subnormal, but not frankly hypogonadal, levels of
biologically available testosterone does not alter fat distribution, glucose, or lipid metabolism. It did
result in a small, but significant improvement in bone density. We also report that DHEA replacement to
youthful concentrations does not affect any relevant health parameter in elderly men or women with low
endogenous DHEA levels. The Minnesota Obesity Center laid the infrastructure for this study by supporting
the establishment of state-of-the-art DEXA and CT imaging techniques.”
In another study:
“... done at the University of Rochester, a group of healthy men took 1600mg of DHEA for 4 weeks,
but the researchers found no improvement in body fat to lean mass composition, suggesting that DHEA did not
help lose fat and gain muscle".
In other words, it does nothing to reduce body fat: Period, despite other earlier studies showing that it does.
DHEA is marketed in a “natural form” as wild yam or a number of other strange names, but while it
is extracted from the yam in the lab, your body is unable to make this conversion making these supplements a
waste of time and money.
And then there are those potentially nasty – but rarely reported - side effects:
Acne
Fatigue, nasal congestion, and headache
In women: abnormal menses, emotional changes, headache, and insomnia
Blood clots or liver damage, although these effects have not been widely studied in humans
Masculinization in women, including acne, greasy skin, facial hair, hair loss, increased sweating, weight
gain around the waist, or a deeper voice
Feminization in men who may develop more prominent breasts or experience breast tenderness
Men may also experience increased blood pressure, testicular wasting, or increased aggressiveness
Increased blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, altered cholesterol levels, altered thyroid hormone levels,
and altered adrenal function
May also increase the risk of prostate, breast, or ovarian cancer
Insomnia, agitation, delusions, mania, nervousness, irritability, or psychosis
As for long term effects, nobody really knows since it hasn’t been studied. Are you going to be the person
who uses your own body to find out? That wouldn’t be too clever – especially since the gains to be
had - in the case that DHEA actually does work for you - will be modest.
