What is DHEA?DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone present in the human body. It is a natural hormone and prepared in the labs with the help of t...
What is DHEA?
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone present in the human body. It is a natural hormone and prepared in the labs with the help of the chemicals present in wild yam and soy. But our body doesn't make this hormone from such chemicals. It is totally a natural process.
It is the master hormone and is present in the body of both,
man and woman. It is mainly formed from the cholesterol in the body, by brain, adrenal glands, adipose tissue and the gonads. DHEA also develops in the skin, by an Autocrine Mechanism. A precursor of Androstenedione is further transformed into the Androgen - testosterone and the estrogens - Estradiol and Estrone and classifies equally a potent sigma-1 agonist. DHEA is the important hormone in the human body.
What are the Uses of DHEA?
DHEA is used to slow the process of aging and improving thinking ability in old persons and in slowing the process of Alzheimer disease. Athletes use this hormone to increase the mass of the muscles. But National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has put a ban on the use of this hormone. It is used to cure the erectile dysfunction (ED) in men and by women who has low levels of the sexual hormones to improve sexuality. Those who are HIV positive use it to comfort depression and fatigue. Women who are suffering from menopause use DHEA inside vagina to strengthen the walls of the vagina and to increase mineral density of bones. Some persons use DHEA for treating Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Low Levels of Steroid Hormones (Addison's disease), Weak Bones (Osteoporosis), Depression, Schizophrenia, and slow the growth of Parkinson's disease. It is also used for the purpose of preventing Metabolic Syndrome, Heart Disease, Breast Cancer and Diabetes.
How it Works?
DHEA is actually a parent hormone produced by the Adrenal glands close to kidneys. The testes of men also secrete this hormone. It is converted in the Hormone Androstenedione. It is then transformed into the male and female hormones. The level of DHEA comes down as you get older. It also comes down in certain mental conditions including Depression. According to some of the researchers if DHEA is replaced with supplements it may prevent some conditions and disease.
Is DHEA Helpful in Menopause?
A hormone pill help woman in menopause and boosts their sex life. The Daily Mail (Newspaper) reported that a hormone pill (DHEA) is the best alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in including hot flashes and night sweats. DHEA helps sex, symptoms after menopausal symptoms. In the US this hormone is used as a dietary supplement. The low dose may help in a better way to deal with menopausal symptoms. It also improves Post-Menopause Symptoms and Sex life. It increases the bone density in the women having Post-Menopause. It is reported that DHEA helps to increase the brain levels rejuvenating a compound namely BDNF that has anti-depressant and anti-aging effect.
For a long time sex hormone systems in men and women depend on the Adrenal Glands as their foundation for healthy function. Adrenal decline consistently results in the decline of the sexual health. This study proves the point that a safe dose of DHEA for women may make a sparingly large difference in their life quality. Men should also realize that DHEA is equally important to their sexual strength and quality of health. Recent studies on men show that when the level of testosterone and DHEA declines, the inflammation levels rises. This inflammation may cause any disease of old age such as Cardiovascular Disease.
What are the Benefits of DHEA?
DHEA offers many benefits, they are:
Improves cardiovascular health:
According to a study DHEA helps in improving the cardiovascular health in men but unfortunately not in women. A study shows men 40 to 70 years old with the lowest levels of DHEA develop ischemic heart disease. Another study discovered that DHEA protect blood vessels from atherosclerosis in the elderly. If you consume a diet high in cholesterol, DHEA protects your blood vessels from plaque buildup. It also has antioxidant effect. In cardiovascular disease, DHEA is helpful as an anti lipidemic and anti-inflammatory while it also raises hormones to normal levels. It may also benefit in glucose control for Diabetics.
Help in Inflammatory diseases:
DHEA may be helpful for those who suffer from inflammatory diseases -- Rheumatoid Arthritis. It reduces inflammation related to autoimmune diseases such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome Lupus and Crohn's Diseases. This is for the reason that DHEA obstructs pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body (an inflammatory factor called IL-6) that contributes to prevent bone loss and damage of joints. It is interesting fact that most autoimmune diseases are caused when the person's own antibodies attack them, one study shows that DHEA supplement cut this risk by 50%. It also helps to improve mental functions and increases the bone density if taken in a DHEA Creams.
What are the Side Effects of DHEA?
- The possible side effects of DHEA are:
- High Blood Pressure
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Change in menstrual cycle.
- It makes the voice of the women deep.
- Hair Loss
- Fatigue
- Increase in the heartbeats.
- It may cause nasal congestion.
- Hairs on the woman face.
- It makes the skin oily and develops acne
What is the Possible Drug Interactions of DHEA?
DHEA supplements interfere with the working of antipsychotic drugs including chlorpromazine (Thorazine), prochlorperazine (Compazine) and fluphenazine (Prolixin).
It increases the effect of the following drugs:
- Cisplatic -- cancer medication
- Testosterone
- Barbiturates-medication of sleep disorder.
- Benzodiazepines-anxiety and sleep disorders.
- AZT (Zidovudine)-medication of HIV.
What should be the doses for DHEA?
Unless when it is prescribed by a physician, DHEA should only be taken after the age of 40 or 45 as the sufficient amount of this hormone is naturally present in the body in the early age. There is no standardization by which people are advised to take with DHEA. But according to some studies 5 to 50 milligrams of DHEA are safe to consume. DHEA should always be taken in prescribed dosage and should not take an overdose at any point. Medically the dose is set at 200 milligrams / day for nearly 23 weeks. According to the latest research taking between 300 to 400 milligrams of this supplement in a day for the next 8 days has shown no adverse side effects on patients.
Conclusion:
As there are many DHEA benefits, it is highly recommended for your safety that you consult a provider or a physician before starting the use of this hormone as there may be some issues that is needed to be ironed out.
