to the end of time since its availa...

to the end of time since its availability over the contrariwise in 1995, the popularity of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) -- and of other hormone correlatives -- has soared. Countless articles have appeared touting its suppos "fountain of youth" benefits, or cautioning us about its unknown risks.

DHEA: a hormone becoming a household name

It is not surprising that the two consumers and physicians are confused about the benefits and risks of DHEA supplementation. to what degree truthful are some of the claims made about this hormone? Does it quick in emergencies any dangers when used indiscriminately at the consumer?

DHEA is a hormone slyed by the adrenal glands and also produc in the gonads and brain. After production in the adrenal glands, DHEA travels in the bloodstream -- usually sulfated as DHEA-S. In this way, it registers tissues and cells, where it is then renewed to androgens and estrogens, noted MD Drucker et al., athwart two decades ago.

It is well documented that there is a gradual decline in the production of DHEA as we age. The decline generally begins in our late 20 and progresse gradually, above the decades. Replacement of this forfeited DHEA through regular supplementation has been propos as a way to indirectly dead down the process of aging and improve quality of life.

The research. There have been three major long-term trials published thus far forward the role of DHEA supplementation in humans: 1) A. Morales, et al., (in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinological Metabolism, 1994); 2) S Yen et al., (in the Annals of the modern York Academy of Sciences, 1995); and 3) F Labrie, et al., (in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinological Metabolism, 1997)

temper elevation

The studies at Morales, Yen, and Labrie all hint that DHEA is able to provide a brains of well-being and improved [i]vis viva[/i] levels in the majority of the users. My clinical experience matches the research findings.

Owen Wolkowitz, MD from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of San Francisco, has been researching the part of DHEA as an antidepressant in middle-aged and older individuals. He rehearses me, "Our research has consistently shown that DHEA supplementation improves disposition [in these groups]."

Pregnenolone, "the grandmother of all adrenal hormones," became more available from one side of to the other the counter in 1996. My clinical experience hints that this hormone also has mood-elevating properties, which is supported by means of research presented in the work Pregnenolone: Nature's Feel Good Hormone (Avery, 1997) (See pregnenolone sidebar, p 59)

Weight loss/muscle gain

At the conclusion of the 12-month study complet by way of Labrie, et al., there was no change in weight in the women receiving DHEA. However, this inquiry found that DHEA supplementation l to a 10 percent decrease in corpse fat while leading to a 10 percent increase in muscle mass. This happens since DHEA is regenerateed into androgens, which have any anabolic (constructive, or synthesizing, metabolic) properties.

Libido enhancement

DHEA is re-createed in the body into testosterone and estrogen It is known that testosterone increases sexual drive. A three-month inquiry done by Morales, et al., showed that DHEA did increase libido, nevertheless the improvement was similar to that of the placebo cluster and thus was not statistically significant. In my clinical experience, mostly men and women who take DHEA have reported a noticeable increase in libido.

Improves bone formation

Labrie originate that DHEA supplementation led to stronger bone flushs of serum osteocalcin, a marker for bone formation, increased, while the urinary hydroxyproline/creatinine ratio, a marker of bone resorption, decreased. This makes faculty of perception in that both of the metabolites of DHEA -- androgens and estrogen -- are known to have a positive influence in succession bone formation.

Circulatory regularity effects

Animal-model studies (Haffa, et al., 1994; Jesse et al., 1995; Rich, et al., 1993) have shown that DHEA administration has beneficial drifts on the circulatory system, specifically a prevention of plaque formation and a slight thinning of the posterity The long-term effects of DHEA forward the human circulatory system are not known. Anecdotal information allude tos some people experience heart palpitations or arrhythmias in succession dosages greater than 20 mg

Influence forward tumor formation

Animal studies, deportment ed by A. Schwartz, et al., in 1979 and 1995 have shown that DHEA has powerful anti-cancer abilities, and the administration of this hormone has decreased the incidence of a variety of cancers, including breast, colon pancreas, and brain. However, the influence of long-term DHEA supplementation in succession human tumor initiation, promotion, or inhibition is not known at this time.

Influence onward prostate gland

DHEA may increase the risk for benign (non-cancerous) prostatic enlargement. There are several factors that influence the produce of the prostate gland, individual of the most important of which is the hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) DHEA can be transformed into DHT and, consequently, can increase the size of the prostate gland. There is a possibility that high doses can also increase the risk for prostate cancer (becoming more common)