At least for now, evidence does not support taking over-the-counter DHEA supplements on your own. If you want to age well, skip the "secret formulas" and follow the tried-and-true path of a good diet, an active mind and body, and good preventive medical care.
By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Alternative Health. Reviewed: March 29, People with the following risks or conditions should be especially careful when considering DHEA:. DHEA supplements should not be taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Children should not use it.
DHEA is a complicated chemical with many roles. In the future, it may be used in a variety of treatment. For now, however, it is best to be cautious when using it, as there is a lack of evidence regarding its safety and effectiveness. A range of DHEA supplements are available for purchase online. Phytoestrogens are a natural compound found in plants.
When eaten, they may affect a person in the same way as estrogen produced by the body. Meldonium is perhaps most well-known for its role in sports doping. This article will explore the story of its origin and its broad medical uses in…. Testosterone is a sex hormone that regulates sexual development, muscle mass, and red blood cell production. It originates mainly in the testicles and….
Many athletes turn to caffeine as a way of boosting their performance, but a new study suggests that regular caffeine intake may have the opposite…. How can DHEA benefit your health? Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. What is DHEA? Naturally raising levels Medical use Side effects Drug interactions Risks We include products we think are useful for our readers. What is dehydroepiandrosterone DHEA?
Share on Pinterest DHEA is naturally produced by the body but supplements are also synthetically made in labs. DHEA and the brain. Naturally raising levels of DHEA. Medical uses. Share on Pinterest Athletes sometimes use DHEA to build muscle strength, but there is a lack of evidence to support this use. Side effects. Drug interactions. It is important to ask for professional advice before using it. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals.
Learn more about if it's right for you. Folic acid supplements are generally safe — unless you take too much. Here are 4 folic acid side effects you should know about. Women over the age of 50 have increased needs for several vitamins and minerals. Here are the 10 best multivitamins for women over Taking certain dietary supplements may be beneficial for lung health.
See which vitamins our registered dietitian recommends as the best for…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Many people claim balancing your hormones is the key to looking and feeling better. Summary: DHEA is a natural hormone that is available as a dietary supplement. Low levels are associated with some diseases, but taking it as a supplement increases its levels in your body.
May Increase Bone Density. Supplementing with it over the long term may increase bone density, particularly in older women. Summary: Although DHEA supplements can increase testosterone levels in the body, they do not typically increase muscle size or strength.
Summary: Most research shows that standard DHEA supplements are not typically effective for fat loss. However, a different form of this hormone called 7-Keto DHEA might be more effective in aiding fat loss. May Play a Role in Fighting Depression. The relationship between DHEA and depression is complex. Overall, more information is needed before DHEA can be recommended for treating depression.
Taking it to combat depression is not recommended until more information is available. Summary: DHEA supplements may improve several aspects of sexual function, including libido and fertility in women. Benefits are primarily seen in those with impaired sexual function. Summary: DHEA is produced naturally by the adrenal glands. Individuals with adrenal gland problems may experience an enhanced quality of life from taking this hormone as a supplement.
Studies link low DHEA levels with an increase in heart disease. Researchers aren't sure whether supplementing with DHEA is safe or reduces risk. Lupus or SLE is an autoimmune disorder. That means that the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissue.
Several studies show that taking DHEA along with other medications helps improve quality of life for people with lupus, though it probably does not change the overall course of their disease.
Several studies have found that some people who take DHEA supplements may be able take less prescription medication. DHEA may also reduce the frequency of flare ups, enhance mental function, and boost bone mass in women with lupus. One study found that a lower dose -- 20 to 30 mg -- might also work.
Most of these studies have been small. So more studies are needed to determine whether DHEA is safe and effective for people with lupus. DHEA is one of the hormones made by the adrenal glands. With adrenal insufficiency, the adrenal glands do not make enough hormones, including DHEA and cortisol. That happens either because of problems with the pituitary gland or damage to the adrenal glands themselves also called Addison's disease.
Several studies suggest that taking DHEA may help improve mood, fatigue, and well being. In one study, women with this condition who took DHEA supplements reported improved sexuality and sense of well being, including fewer feelings of depression and anxiety. Adrenal insufficiency requires a doctor's care. You shouldn't take DHEA on your own for adrenal insufficiency.
Severe adrenal insufficiency can be a medical emergency, especially when first diagnosed. A few studies of people with major depression found that DHEA improved symptoms compared to placebo. The results aren't entirely clear, and researchers don't know what the long-term effects of taking DHEA might be. More research is needed. DO NOT try to treat depression by yourself. People with depression need medical care. Preliminary studies suggest that DHEA may help reduce bone loss in older women.
It doesn't seem to have the same effect in men. And in one study it didn't help women who were under age Studies using DHEA to treat overweight people have found conflicting results. Animal studies have found DHEA to help reduce body weight.
Human studies found that taking DHEA didn't change total body weight. But it did improve total body fat and LDL "bad" cholesterol. However, more research is needed to know whether DHEA really helps. Research suggests that DHEA may help improve sex drive in older women but not younger women.
More studies are needed. Since DHEA levels decline with age, some researchers have investigated whether taking DHEA supplements could slow or prevent age-related mental or physical problems. People in the study didn't have any improvement in muscle function and strength. Another study found that men and women over 60 who took DHEA for 2 years didn't have any improvement in bone density, muscle strength, insulin sensitivity, or quality of life.
But other studies have not found any improvement. And these levels decrease even more as the disease progresses. DHEA has been popular among perimenopausal women, seeking relief from menopausal symptoms, including decreased sex drive, diminished skin tone, and vaginal dryness. Studies have been mixed. Preliminary studies show DHEA supplements raised levels of some hormones in postmenopausal women. However, DHEA supplementation in healthy pre- and postmenopausal women is controversial. Clinical studies show conflicting results as to whether DHEA can improve sexual function, metabolism, and overall well being.
More studies are needed to determine whether DHEA is safe and effective. People who believe in using DHEA claim that it relieves menopausal symptoms without increasing the risk of breast cancer or cancer of the lining of the uterus -- unlike prescription hormone replacement therapy, which does increase risk of these cancers. But there is no proof that DHEA does not also increase risk of these cancers.
People with a history of cancer, or who are at high risk for cancer should not take DHEA without their doctor's supervision. DHEA can be converted into either estrogen or testosterone in the body, which may be dangerous for women or men with a history of hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast or prostate cancer.
Women with breast cancer tend to have low levels of DHEA in their bodies. Scientists don't know whether taking DHEA may increase or reduce growth of breast cancer cells. DHEA levels appear to be low in people with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. But the study wasn't well designed. Studies suggest that DHEA supplementation may be beneficial for other health conditions, including infertility, schizophrenia, cocaine withdrawal, anorexia nervosa, and dementia.
Most DHEA supplements are produced in laboratories from diosgenin, a plant sterol extracted from Mexican wild yams Dioscorea villosa. Some extracts from wild yams are marketed as "natural DHEA. But this is not true.
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