Dhea why take it

DHEA can cross the placenta and affect a developing baby, and it can also get into breast milk. For now, there is no such thing as a reliable anti-aging supplement. If you want to age well, your best bet is to follow proven anti-aging tips , such as those from the American Geriatrics Society:. 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.

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Some research shows that taking this supplement for one to two years can improve bone density in older women, but not men 11 , Other studies have not observed any bone density benefits after supplementing with DHEA, but most of these studies lasted six or fewer months 13 , 14 , It might be necessary to take this supplement for longer periods to experience increased bone density, and this effect may be larger in older women.

Due to its ability to increase testosterone levels , many believe that DHEA can increase muscle mass or muscle strength However, the majority of research shows that taking DHEA supplements does not increase muscle mass or muscle performance.

This has been shown in young, middle-aged and elderly adults over periods lasting from four weeks to one year 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , Several studies showed that it did not improve physical performance in older adults, but others reported increased upper and lower body strength Overall, because a large number of studies show no benefits for muscle size or strength, DHEA is probably not effective in these two regards. As with muscle mass, the majority of research indicates that DHEA is not effective at reducing fat mass 17 , 18 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 26 , This form of the supplement, called 7-Keto DHEA, has been reported to increase metabolic rate in overweight men and women In this study, individuals taking the supplement lost about 6.

Those in the placebo group only lost 2. Some research in women nearing menopause showed that women with depression had higher levels of this hormone than those without depression However, some individuals with severe depression have lower levels of DHEA than those with milder depression 6. Other studies have shown no improvements in mental function or depression scores in healthy, middle-aged and elderly adults 33 , 34 , Some researchers even caution against the use of it, as higher levels of DHEA in the body have been associated with increased symptoms of depression in middle-aged women For starters, DHEA supplements may improve the function of the ovaries in women with impaired fertility.

In fact, it increased the success of in vitro fertilization IVF in 25 women experiencing fertility problems Additionally, several studies have shown that these supplements may increase libido and sexual function in both men and women 38 , 39 , However, the largest benefits were seen in individuals with impaired sexual function.

Often, no benefits were seen in individuals without sexual problems 41 , The adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys, are one of the main producers of DHEA 1. This condition can produce fatigue, weakness and changes in blood pressure.

It can even progress to become life-threatening On the other hand, a study published in Osteoporosis International in suggests that DHEA supplements may improve bone mineral density in women but fail to enhance bone health in men. In this study, healthy adults ages 55 to 85 took either DHEA supplements or a placebo every day for one year. At the study's end, DHEA appeared to have had a positive effect on some measures of bone mineral density in female participants.

Male participants, however, showed no significant changes in bone mineral density following treatment with DHEA. DHEA may be of some benefit in the treatment of depression, according to a research review published in Current Drug Targets in In their analysis of 22 previously published studies, the review's authors found that DHEA supplementation was generally associated with significant improvements among patients with depression.

What's more, the review found that DHEA may relieve depressive symptoms in people with conditions like schizophrenia and anorexia nervosa. Early research indicates that DHEA might have effects in the treatment of a number of other health conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, menopausal symptoms, and metabolic syndrome.

Because DHEA is a hormone, it should only be used under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner. Children and pregnant or nursing women should not use DHEA. If not used under supervision of a physician and dosed incorrectly, DHEA side effects may include abdominal pain, acne, breast tenderness, deepening of the voice in women, facial hair growth, fatigue, greasy or oily skin, hair loss, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, insomnia, irregular or rapid heartbeats, irregular menses, male pattern baldness, mood disturbance, nasal congestion, shrinkage of the testicles, skin itching, urinary urgency , increased aggression, and weight gain around the waist.

DHEA may alter the production of cholesterol and hormones such as insulin, thyroid hormones, and adrenal hormones. People with liver disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid disorders, blood clotting disorders, hormonal disorders, or hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer and prostate cancer should take caution when using DHEA.

Those with a history of heart disease or stroke should avoid DHEA supplements. High DHEA levels have been associated with psychotic disorders, People with or at risk for psychiatric disorders should only use DHEA under the supervision of their healthcare provider. There is no recommended daily allowance for DHEA supplements. The following doses have been studied for these conditions:. When selecting a brand of supplements, look for products that have been certified by Consumer Labs, The U. As a prohormone meaning it is converted by the body into a hormone DHEA may increase testosterone levels, but there's little evidence it can enhance muscle strength.

There's evidence exercise may do the trick, even for older people whose DHEA levels have naturally declined. Research has found that relatively short bouts of aerobic activity—in one study, an average of 23 minutes on a treadmill—may boost blood levels of DHEA. DHEA-S stands for dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. It's simply a male sex hormone that is a form of DHEA.

DHEA-S is produced by the adrenal glands in both males and females. In the morning. This is when your body naturally produces DHEA, so taking supplements at the same time will be most effective.