What Is Dehydroepiandrosterone DHEA?

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone made in the human body, chiefly by the adrenal glands. DHEA and its sulfate ester DHEA-S is the most abundant steroid in the human body. DHEA is converted in the body into the male and female hormones, testosterone and estrogen. Production of DHEA peaks in the body sometime in a person's mid-20's and begins to decline from age 30 on.

Effects of DHEA

• It is unclear what the effects are of the decline in DHEA levels in the human body. As of 2009, scientists have yet to produce conclusive evidence that DHEA has a specific role in such processes as aging, disease prevention, immune-system health, energy boosting and the development of strength. Despite the lack of scientific evidence, many proponents of DHEA make claims that over-the-counter supplements of the hormone can do everything from boosting immunity to increasing strength and energy and reducing the effects of aging.

Benefits

• Some studies suggest that DHEA may play a role in improving quality of life through increased exercise capacity, sex drive and hormone levels. A study of DHEA's effect on Addison's disease, a condition caused by low adrenal function, has shown promise, but more studies are needed for verification. DHEA has also shown some preliminary positive effects in the treatment of depression, obesity, systemic lupus erythematosus, aging, cervical cancer, Crohn's disease, partial androgen deficiency, schizophrenia and skin aging.

Lack of Evidence

• The National Institute for Health reports that conflicting DHEA study results for a wide variety of health conditions raise either safety or efficacy concerns, and as of 2009, it is not recommended that such issues be addressed using DHEA until further information is available. These issues include Alzheimer's, bone density, cardiovascular disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, cocaine withdrawal, critical illness, dementia, heart failure, HIV/AIDS, labor induction, infertility, menopause, myotonic dystrophy, ovulation disorders, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, speticemia, sexual dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, Sjogren's syndrome, fibromyalgia, immune system stimulation, memory and muscle strength. Study results in these areas either conflict or are largely negative. Further research is needed before DHEA can be recommended for use in these areas.

Safety

• Scientists don't understand the effects of long-term use of DHEA supplements, but some early studies have shown that DHEA, even when taken briefly, can cause liver damage and other detrimental effects. Other studies, including two small short-term studies, demonstrated no harmful effects on blood, prostate, or liver function. The studies weren't large enough or long enough to prove that DHEA supplementation is completely safe or effective. Currently, the effects of DHEA have not been established, and there is a strong possibility that DHEA supplements might turn out to cause more harm than good.

Problems With DHEA Studies

• A 2002 review found that extensive DHEA studies face difficulties because of the lack of a suitable animal-testing method. Plasma DHEA levels in most animal species are so low that they are too difficult to measure. Most clinical studies to date have been short-term observational studies done with people in which DHEA was measured in various situations. Because aging in humans takes much longer, DHEA studies related to aging will take decades without viable animal test subjects. To date, conclusive evidence of DHEA's efficacy as a treatment for a variety of medical conditions has been slow in coming. In 2007, an unsuccessful bill was introduced in the U.S. Congress to ban over-the-counter DHEA and limit its use until further study clarifies how safe and effective the hormone is in treating health problems in humans.