Articles on DHEA

DHEA supplements for men’s health

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone produced in the adrenal glands, gonads, and brain, and converted in the body into sex hormones. For most people, DHEA production declines with age after peaking in their mid-twenties.

Since there seems to be a link between low DHEA and decreasing production of sex hormones, many men are taking DHEA supplements in order to boost their testosterone levels. These supplements are usually produced from natural ingredients like wild yam and soy.

While there has been no research directly linking DHEA supplementation and increased testosterone levels, there is a study showing that acute administration of DHEA after high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can provide significant benefits.

The study found that middle-aged test subjects taking oral DHEA supplements had higher levels of free testosterone and did not experience a drop in testosterone during their HIIT workouts.

DHEA may help in solving sex drive issues

Although the exact relationship between testosterone levels and male libido hasn't been established yet, scientists have confirmed that low testosterone can cause sexual problems such as impotence and low sex drive.

A 2006 study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, revealed that there’s a connection between low testosterone levels in the body and reduced libido in aging men.

A study evaluating the effectiveness of DHEA supplementation in treating erectile dysfunction found that taking oral supplements may have some benefit in the treatment of this condition. However, since the sample used in the study was too small, further research is required to confirm the findings.

DHEA promotes overall wellbeing

Taking DHEA supplements has also been revealed to have the following health benefits:

  • Protects against heart disease. A study involving 24 men who received either 50 mg of DHEA at bedtime or a placebo found that those who were treated with DHEA had lower low-density ("bad") cholesterol, increased production of nitric oxide, and higher levels of testosterone. This suggests that older men who suffered from low circulating levels of DHEA would benefit from taking supplements of this hormone regularly, since it seemed to play a protective role against coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis.
  • Regulates blood sugar levels. Insulin resistance is a precursor to developing type-2 diabetes, since it causes excess glucose to accumulate in the bloodstream. DHEA replacement through supplementation in older individuals may improve insulin resistance.
  • Alleviates the symptoms of depression. A review of existing literature revealed that the use of DHEA supplements in treating depression shows promising results. This is particularly true for mild cases as well as those that don't respond to conventional treatment.
  • Supports the immune system. A study on the role of DHEA supplementation in immune functioning found that daily doses of the supplement promote immunity. The subjects, who had low levels of serum DHEA, received just 50 mg of DHEA a day—and that was already enough for a significant effect.
  • Boosts the effectiveness of physical exercise. DHEA has also been revealed to enhance the effects of weight training. In aging men, DHEA supplementation improved strength and muscle growth in response to heavy resistance exercise.

Articles about DHEA