You are probably here because you noticed that your supplement contain an ingredient called DHEA. If you are curious about this agent, then this article is for you.
DHEA has been touted as anti-aging therapy while others use it as prevention supplement for chronic illnesses.
This agent is also widely used as a sports nutrition and weight loss supplement, and is quite a popular energy booster.
But not all facts about this ingredient are favorable to dieters especially to you if you are new to supplements.
Read on and learn if DHEA can truly be beneficial to you, or just going to increase your risk of side effects.
What is DHEA?
Dehydroepiandrosterone (1) (also known as androstenolone), is an endogenous steroid hormone made naturally in the body.
Its main function is to produce male (testosterone) and female sex hormones within the body, specifically in the adrenal glands – gonads and the brain.
People use DHEA for anti-aging, anti-inflammation, depression, mental function, vaginal atrophy, physical performance and many other health conditions.
This hormone has several biological effects being an androgen, estrogen and as a neurosteroid agent for your brain.
Since dehydroepiandrosterone production peaks in mid-20’s, DHEA levels gradually declines with age. This results to less testosterone and estrogen levels as well.
In the US, an over-the-counter medication DHEA brand is sold called Prasterone. However, DHEA is widely sold as supplements for either weight loss or sports nutrition aid.
DHEA supplements are mostly made from wild yam or soy. These products claims that they can help increase your sex hormones while promoting potential health benefits.
This include immune system boost, adrenal gland function improvement, slows-down aging, elevates memory and mood, builds up bone and muscle strength and many others (2).
DHEA for Weight Loss and Physical Function
This hormone has been touted as a fat blaster and performance enhancer by most dieters and athletes.
First, athletes claim that DHEA can help improve muscle strength while elevating athletic performance. This is because of DHEA’s prehormone characteristic that increases your body’s production of testosterone.
On the other hand, most dieters believe that DHEA helps increase metabolism and reduces body fat. As you know, a higher metabolism results to more calories being burned more efficiently which results to weight loss.
But these claims are not completely proven by clinical trials, though there are studies that shows moderate results.
One study about the slimming efficacy of DHEA supplements is from National Institutes of Health (3).
They conducted a randomized, double-blind study of DHEA supplementation in 56 slightly overweight subjects. Half of the participants took 50mg of DHEA supplement daily.
The hormone did produce weight loss but the result isn’t significant enough to give any noticeable physical changes.
People who took the hormone lost an average of about 2 pounds. There was abdominal fat reduction in both men and women but the data seems insignificant as well.
The study also found that DHEA helped increase testosterone levels in women but not in men. It also increased the levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 or simply known as IGF-1, a protein that also promotes numerous effects on tissues (4).
If you know sports nutrition supplements, then you know how valuable IGF-1 for muscle growth and physical strength.
However, NCBI studies suggests otherwise. The benefits of DHEA on muscle strength and overall physical function in older adults remains inconclusive as mix results were obtained from various studies.
What is 7-Keto DHEA?
A newer version of this hormone is now being used worldwide which is called 7-keto DHEA. It is widely regarded as more effective agent for fat loss and metabolism increase than conventional DHEA supplements.
7-Keto DHEA (5) works similarly but it is said to have more potent effects on metabolism and heat production, both of which promote weight loss.
This supplement is used heavily by dieters and athletes for improving lean body mass, muscle growth, increasing thyroid gland activity, immunity boost, enhancing memory and also for anti-aging.
But again, there is no solid evidence the 7-Keto DHEA truly has an effect on weight loss or even metabolism changes.
If you are interested in 7-Keto DHEA, click here and see some of the top supplements that Amazon currently offers.
DHEA’s Potential Benefits
So now we know that DHEA is quite an enticing supplement due to its ability to increase sex hormones. But it does offer other exciting and intriguing health benefits as well.
Lets see some of the most notable health-improving potential of this hormone agent.
Increases Bone Density
Experts have proven that low DHEA levels are associated with lower bone density, which as you probably know, decreases as you age.
Other studies even suggest that low DHEA levels equally increases your risk of bone fractures and other bone disorders.
According to a two-year long NCBI (6) study on 225 healthy adults who were all subjected to 50mg of DHEA daily, the supplement showed modest and selective beneficial effects on bone mineral density and bone resorption in women.
Unfortunately, the supplement has no effect for men.
Short-term study showed no bone density benefits at all after taking DHEA supplements.
Helps Fight Depression
Research shows that people with severe depression have lower levels of DHEA than those people with milder depression (7).
However, women suffering from depression and nearing menopause had higher levels of this hormone. So the relationship between DHEA and depression isn’t completely clear.
But still, people are still taking DHEA supplements in hopes of reducing the symptoms of depression.
Like bone density trials, DHEA also appears inconclusively with regards to its potential treatment effects for depression.
Some research shows positive results while there are also numerous studies that suggest otherwise.
Improves Sexual Health, Fertility and Libido
Since DHEA is a natural hormone that helps increase the production of both male and female hormones, there shouldn’t be any dispute about DHEA’s sex-enhancing effects.
And the fact is that, DHEA may help improve the function of ovaries in women and can help increase the success of in vitro fertilization in women with fertility problems.
Experts from NCBI (8) suggest that DHEA supplements may help increase libido and sexual function in both men and women. However, these effects are much more seen in individuals with sexual function problems.
DHEA’s Possible Health Risks
Generally, DHEA is safe when applied to the skin and taken by mouth. Experts even suggest that taking DHEA for up to two years doesn’t trigger any nasty side effects.
But still, there are some common side effects for this supplement especially if taken in high doses.
This include upset stomach, acne, abnormal hair growth, changes in menstrual cycle in women, and breast pain or even growth can occur in men (gynecomastia).
Other possible side effects include irregular heart beat, insomnia, fatigue, high blood pressure, headache, hair loss, nasal congestion, increase in cholesterol levels and many others (9).
DHEA and Athletic Performance
I mentioned earlier that this hormone can be useful for people who are in need of elevating their physical performance and overall function. DHEA may be able to help you with this to some extent.
But.
DHEA is a prohormone which helps increase testosterone levels (10), which is considered to act as a “pre-steriod” enhancing agent.
Possible side effects of using such agents include stunting of growth, aggressive behavior, mood swings, liver problems, high blood pressure and many others.
These are the reasons why DHEA is banned in most countries in the EU, Australia and even in most sports associations.
Also, you shouldn’t take DHEA supplements if you have prostate issues such as enlarged prostate, diabetes, liver problems, mood disorders, high cholesterol and hormone-sensitive conditions such as cancers.
If you are truly interested in taking this type of supplement, you are encouraged to consult your doctor first before you take any DHEA supplements that you stumble online.
Bottom Line
It is indeed enticing to take supplements that are widely known to give numerous health benefits especially with regards to weight loss and muscle development.
DHEA is one of those supplements that promises to provide dozens of advantages for your health.
It may help treat weight loss, aging, sexual problems, bodybuilding, depression, mental issues, adrenal disorders and many others.
But as discussed above, DHEA isn’t completely proven to provide these benefits for you. Some studies has shown negative results which are enough to give you doubts about this supplement.
Plus, there are higher risk of developing unwanted adverse effects if you use DHEA. These nasty side effects may give permanent damage to your health so better not take any risk at all.
If you are looking for a weight loss supplement that is quite safe and has no DHEA, then I suggest that you check out PhenGold, one of our recommended diet supplements here.
PhenGold is one of the bestselling and reputable phen-alternative dietary supplements in the market today. Check out our review by clicking the link below.
This weight loss product has helped thousands of dieters to lose weight naturally, effectively and fast. It contains more slimming agents compared to other brands. Learn why PhenGold is one of the best diet pills in the market today and why it’s perfect for your weight loss program.
- Natural slimming ingredients
- Elevates your energy and metabolism
- Reduces food cravings
- Helps you lose weight in key areas
- No side effects
- Money-back guarantee
References:
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA Sulfate, and Aging: Contribution of the DHEAge Study to a Sociobiochemical Issue
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC18228/
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): Hypes and Hopes
by: Krzysztof Rutkowski, Pawel Sowa, Joanna Rutkowska-Talipska, Anna Kuryliszyn-Moskal, and Ryszard Rutkowski
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25022952/
The Effect of Six Months Treatment with a 100 Daily Dose of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on Circulating Sex Steroid, Body Composition and Muscle Strength in Age – Advanced Men and Women
by: A J Morales, R H Haubrich, JY Hwang, H Asakura, S S Yen
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9876338/
Effects of Replacement Dose of Dehydroepiandrosterone in Men and Womenof Advancing Age
by: A J Morales, J J Nolan, J C Nelson, S S Yen
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7515387/
A Comparison of Dehydroepiandrosterone and 7-Keto Dehydroepiandrosterone with Other Drugs that Modulate Ehanol Intake in Rats Responding Under a Multiple Schedule
by: Russel J Amato, Mary W Hulin, and Peter J Winsauer
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3360959/
Effect of Dehydroepiandrosterone Supplementation on Bone Mineral Density, Bone Markers, and Body Composition in Adults: the Dawn Drial
by: Von Muhlen D, Laughlin GA, Kritz-Silverstein D, Bergstrom J, Bettencourt R.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18084691
Dehydroepiandrosterone Supplementation for Cognitive Function in Healthy Elderly People
by: Grimley Evans J, Malouf R, Huppert F, and Van Niekerk JK
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17054283/
Effect of 1-Year, Low-Dose DHEA Therapy on Climacteric Symptoms and Female Sexuality
by: Genazzani AR, Stomati M, Valentino V, Pluchino N, Pot E, Casarosa E, Merlini S, Giannini A, and Luisa M.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21942655
Dehydroepiandrosterone: A Potential Therapeutic Agent in the Treatment and Rehabilitation of the Traumatically Injured Patient
by: Conor Bentley, Jon Hazeldine, Carolyn Greig, Janet Lord and Mark Foster
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6676517/
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an Anabolic Steroid Like Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the Most Potent Natural Androgen, and Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG)
Fernand Labrie, Van Luu-The, Celine Martel, Ariel Chernomoretz, Ezequiel Calvo, Jean Morissette, and Claude Labrie
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16797178/
- YourBiology Review - March 14, 2023
- Gynetrex Review - March 7, 2023
- Performer 8 Review - March 3, 2023
