DHEA Roles and Benefits

What is DHEA?

➢ DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone produced by your body's adrenal glands.
➢ DHEA is used for slowing or reversing aging, improving thinking skills in older people, and slowing the progress of Alzheimer’s disease.
➢ DHEA functions as a precursor to male and female sex hormones, including testosterone and estrogen. Precursors are substances that are converted by the body into a hormone.
➢ Testosterone and estrogen production also generally declines with age. DHEA supplements can increase the level of these hormones.

Benefits of DHEA

➣ Building up the adrenal gland
➣ Strengthening the immune system
➣ Slowing natural changes in the body that come with age
➣ Providing more energy
➣ Improving mood and memory
➣ Building up muscle strength

Important Roles of DHEA in human body

➢ DHEA holds a key role in human body system and plays a crucial role in the reproduction system of both men and women.

DHEA’s role is to generate the primary male and female sex hormones during the time of intercourse which is extremely important to create a balance of hormones in human body for the proper reproduction system.

➢ DHEA plays a crucial role for the treatment of diabetes

Increased or decreased levels of DHEA is the clear indication of imbalance being created in blood insulin level. So it is important for diabetes patients to keep their DHEA level maintained to control their blood sugar level.

➢ DHEA has its own effects on muscle mass growth for heavy weightlifters and body builders

As a supplement, DHEA helps them to boost their blood streamline which further gives them energy to lift heavy weights and build muscle So we can say that DHEA is also an important factor in muscle building process.

Generally DHEA level is on the lower side in people who have history of various diseases or if they are currently suffering with any diseases. However, DHEA is also used for the treatment of various health conditionssuch as obesity, type 2 diabetes, depression, HIV and lupus as well. According to a recent research conducted on DHEA use for HIV/AIDS patients, it helps them to cure depression and also increase their energy level. In rare cases it is also reported that DHEA doses can help HIV patients to strengthen their immune system.

 DHEA is possibly effective for:

➣ DHEA may be more effective in women than men.
➣ Improving the appearance of older people’s skin.

Taking DHEA by mouth seems to increase skin thickness and moisture, and decrease facial “age spots” in elderly men and women.

➣ Improving symptoms of Lupus (SLE).

Taking DHEA by mouth along with conventional treatment may help reduce the number of times symptoms flare up and may allow a reduction in the dose of prescription drugs

➣ Weak bones (osteoporosis).

Taking DHEA by mouth daily seems to improve bone mineral density (BMD) in older women and men with osteoporosis orosteoporis(pre-osteoporosis).

➣ DHEA may also increase BMD in young women with the eating disorder called anorexia.

Sources: webmd.com, nlm.nih.gov, dheaguide.com