DHEA

Searching on the internet for DHEA supplements will get you a fair amount of results. Many people think of DHEA as the snake oil of the 20'th century. However, they will not deny that there is some use for this chemical. They just do not know how safe it is yet. People using DHEA supplements or any other form, know its benefits and wouldn’t trade it for anything else.

What is dehydroepiandrosterone? Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a chemical steroid hormone which functions the same as natural testosterone and estrogen. Our bodies begin producing DHEA at an early stage of life, but only small amounts. This natural source of DHEA is produced by the adrenal glands located on top of the kidneys.

When we reach the age of 25, DHEA becomes the most abundant hormone in the body. As we get older, natural DHEA levels begin to decline. No one is exactly sure the role of this hormone in the body. However, it is known that it is easily converted to other hormones like testosterone and estrogen. Little is known about the dangers of DHEA, but one of the side effects of taking DHEA is that women grew body hair and facial hair. The women that were tested in a trial who were under 50 years of age even stopped menstruating. So if no one knows what DHEA is good for then why bother taking it?

The benefits of DHEA have recently been and are still being studied by some of the top medical teams around the globe. What they have found is that elevated DHEA levels in older people can significantly improve their immune system as well as increasing mental function. That is not all. Many have called DHEA the modern day “fountain of youth” because it is attributed with slowing or reversing the aging process. Again, not much is known about how all of this could potentially affect the body.

There are companies selling DHEA women supplements as well as a formula for men. Twinlab 7 keto DHEA. 7-keto DHEA formula is more potent than the normal DHEAs and used in conjunction with an exercise program. 7 keto DHEA and other forms have not been tested fully by the FDA and should be used with caution. Until more is known, it is advised that DHEA + breastfeeding be avoided.

Whether or not this pill is the true “fountain of youth” has yet to be determined, but the results seen thus far are very promising. Until more evidence is shown otherwise, one should practice caution when using any form of DHEA.