Hello all, what is DHEA and what is it used for? Ok, I did look it up on Wikipedia and it said that its a hormone precursor. But what hormones does t get turned into and why would you take it when its your own body's endocrine system that is supposed to make the hormones?
Thank you for any and all replies!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/24/2006 10:34PM by VeganLife.

Woops, just read the other thread and understand why you've asked this. I really think that the original post mentioning DHEA was a spelling mistake and that no one is suggesting we take DHEA.

Rob

--
Rob Hull - Funky Raw
My blog: [www.rawrob.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/24/2006 10:49PM by Funky Rob.

DHEA is a hormone that can become depleted with stress. It is increased thru excersise and meditation. :-)

Sorry about misinterpreting your other post in the other topic!

There are a grand total of 8 clinical or randomized controlled trials using DHEA as a supplement in humans (i.e. not much). Most of them seem to be fairly positive.

---

1: Autoimmunity. 2005 Nov;38(7):531-40.

Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone supplement on health-related quality of life
in glucocorticoid treated female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Nordmark G, Bengtsson C, Larsson A, Karlsson FA, Sturfelt G, Ronnblom L.

Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Rheumatology, University Hospital,
Uppsala, Sweden. gunnel.nordmark@medsci.uu.se

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of low dose
dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in
glucocorticoid treated female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Forty one women ( >or= 5 mg prednisolone/day) were included in a double-blind,
randomized, placebo-controlled study for 6 months where DHEA was given at 30
mg/20 mg ( <or= 45/ >or= 46 years) daily, or placebo, followed by 6 months open
DHEA treatment to all patients. HRQOL was assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months,
using four validated questionnaires and the patients' partners completed a
questionnaire assessing mood and behaviour at 6 months. DHEA treatment increased
serum levels of sulphated DHEA from subnormal to normal. The DHEA group improved
in SF-36 "role emotional" and HSCL-56 total score (both p<0.05). During open
DHEA treatment, the former placebo group improved in SF-36 "mental health"
(p<0.05) with a tendency for improvement in HSCL-56 total score (p=0.10). Both
groups improved in McCoy's Sex Scale during active treatment (p<0.05). DHEA
replacement decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and increased
insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and haematocrit. There were no effects on
bone density or disease activity and no serious adverse events. Side effects
were mild. We conclude that low dose DHEA treatment improves HRQOL with regard
to mental well-being and sexuality and can be offered to women with SLE where
mental distress and/or impaired sexuality constitutes a problem.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 16373258 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

2: JAMA. 2004 Nov 10;292(18):2243-8.

Effect of DHEA on abdominal fat and insulin action in elderly women and men: a
randomized controlled trial.

Villareal DT, Holloszy JO.

Division of Geriatrics and Nutritional Science, Department of Medicine,
Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Mo 63110, USA.

CONTEXT: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) administration has been shown to reduce
accumulation of abdominal visceral fat and protect against insulin resistance in
laboratory animals, but it is not known whether DHEA decreases abdominal obesity
in humans. DHEA is widely available as a dietary supplement without a
prescription. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether DHEA replacement therapy decreases
abdominal fat and improves insulin action in elderly persons. DESIGN AND
SETTING: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in a US
university-based research center from June 2001 to February 2004. PARTICIPANTS:
Fifty-six elderly persons (28 women and 28 men aged 71 [range, 65-78] years)
with age-related decrease in DHEA level. INTERVENTION: Participants were
randomly assigned to receive 50 mg/d of DHEA or matching placebo for 6 months.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measures were 6-month change in
visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat measured by magnetic resonance imaging
and glucose and insulin responses to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).
RESULTS: Of the 56 men and women enrolled, 52 underwent follow-up evaluations.
Compliance with the intervention was 97% in the DHEA group and 95% in the
placebo group. Based on intention-to-treat analyses, DHEA therapy compared with
placebo induced significant decreases in visceral fat area (-13 cm2 vs +3 cm2,
respectively; P = .001) and subcutaneous fat (-13 cm2 vs +2 cm2, P = .003). The
insulin area under the curve (AUC) during the OGTT was significantly reduced
after 6 months of DHEA therapy compared with placebo (-1119 muU/mL per 2 hours
vs +818 muU/mL per 2 hours, P = .007). Despite the lower insulin levels, the
glucose AUC was unchanged, resulting in a significant increase in an insulin
sensitivity index in response to DHEA compared with placebo (+1.4 vs -0.7, P =
.005). CONCLUSION: DHEA replacement could play a role in prevention and
treatment of the metabolic syndrome associated with abdominal obesity.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 15536111 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

3: Fertil Steril. 2003 Dec;80(6):1495-501.

Long-term low-dose dehydroepiandrosterone oral supplementation in early and late
postmenopausal women modulates endocrine parameters and synthesis of neuroactive
steroids.

Genazzani AD, Stomati M, Bernardi F, Pieri M, Rovati L, Genazzani AR.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena, Modena, Italy.
algen@unimore.it

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a low-dose DHEA supplementation on
hormonal parameters in early and late postmenopausal women. DESIGN: Prospective
case study. SETTING: Postmenopausal women in a clinical research environment.
PATIENT(S): Twenty postmenopausal women were divided in two groups according to
age (50-55 and 60-65 years). INTERVENTION(S): All patients underwent hormonal
evaluation before and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of therapy (25 mg/d of DHEA
orally). Pelvic ultrasound examination and Kupperman score were performed before
and after 3, 6, and 12 months of therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Plasma DHEA,
DHEAS, estrone (E1), E2, P, androstenedione (A), T, dihydrotestosterone,
17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), cortisol (F), allopregnanolone,
beta-endorphin, sexual hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), LH, FSH, growth hormone
(GH), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations. RESULT(S): The
levels of all the steroids that derive from DHEA metabolism increased in plasma
with DHEA administration. Also neurosteroids (namely allopregnanolone) and
endorphin showed increased plasma levels, whereas both gonadotropins were
significantly reduced. Endometrial thickness did not change throughout the study
period. CONCLUSION(S): Administration of low doses (25 mg) of DHEA positively
modulates several endocrine parameters in early and late postmenopausal women,
inducing the increase of the androgenic, estrogenic, and progestogenic milieu
and reducing the climateric symptoms, similarly to estroprogestin replacement
therapy. These data suggest that DHEA supplementation is a more effective
replacement therapy than a simple "dietary supplement."

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Controlled Clinical Trial

PMID: 14667889 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

4: J Am Coll Nutr. 2003 Oct;22(5):363-71.

Ingestion of a dietary supplement containing dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and
androstenedione has minimal effect on immune function in middle-aged men.

Kohut ML, Thompson JR, Campbell J, Brown GA, Vukovich MD, Jackson DA, King DS.

Department of Health and Human Performance, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
50011, USA. mkohut@iastate.edu

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of four weeks of intake of a
supplement containing dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione and herbal
extracts on immune function in middle-aged men. DESIGN: Subjects consumed either
an oral placebo or an oral supplement for four weeks. The supplement contained a
total daily dose of 150 mg DHEA, 300 mg androstenedione, 750 mg Tribulus
terrestris, 625 mg chrysin, 300 mg indole-3-carbinol and 540 mg saw palmetto.
MEASUREMENTS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were used to assess
phytohemagglutinin(PHA)-induced lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine
production. The cytokines measured were interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10,
IL-1beta, and interferon (IFN)-gamma. Serum free testosterone, androstenedione,
estradiol, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were also measured. RESULTS: The supplement
significantly increased serum levels of androstenedione, free testosterone,
estradiol and DHT during week 1 to week 4. Supplement intake did not affect LPS
or ConA proliferation and had minimal effect on PHA-induced proliferation.
LPS-induced production of IL-1beta, and PHA-induced IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, or
IFN-gamma production was not altered by the supplement. The addition of the same
supplement, DHEA or androstenedione alone to lymphocyte cultures in vitro did
not alter lymphocyte proliferation, IL-2, IL-10, or IFN-gamma, but did increase
IL-4. In addition, serum HDL-C concentration significantly declined. CONCLUSION:
These findings suggest that, although chronic intake of a complex dietary
supplement containing DHEA, androstenedione and herbal extracts increases serum
androgen levels, it has minimal effect on immune function in middle-aged men.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 14559928 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

5: J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2003 Feb;23(1):96-9.

Influence of DHEA administration on 24-hour cortisol concentrations.

Kroboth PD, Amico JA, Stone RA, Folan M, Frye RF, Kroboth FJ, Bigos KL, Fabian
TJ, Linares AM, Pollock BG, Hakala C.

Pharmacodynamic Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania 15261, USA. krobothpd@msx.upmc.edu

DHEA is marketed and readily available as a daily nutritional supplement to
counteract the effects of aging. The effect of DHEA administration on 24-hour
plasma cortisol profiles has not been investigated. In this single-blind
placebo-controlled crossover study, the effect of DHEA administration on
cortisol concentrations was evaluated in healthy older women and men. Once each
morning, subjects took either placebo (Days 1 to 7, and 23 to 29) or oral DHEA
200 mg (Days 8 to 22: doses 1 to 15). Twenty-four hour DHEA and cortisol
concentrations were measured on Day 1 (placebo), Day 8 (DHEA dose 1), Day 15
(DHEA dose 8), Day 22 (DHEA dose 15), and Day 29 (placebo washout dose 7). DHEA
administration resulted in a decrease in plasma cortisol concentrations (mean,
peak, and/or AUC) in healthy older women and men. The cortisol-lowering effect
of DHEA was more pronounced in women than in men in our study; pairwise
differences in concentrations between days showed that relative to Day 1,
cortisol was lower on Days 15, 22, and 29 in women (p = 0.0001) and on Day 15 in
men (p = 0.002). The mechanism by which DHEA lowers plasma cortisol
concentrations merits further investigation.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial

PMID: 12544381 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

6: Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2001 Sep;71(5):293-301.

Effects of androstenedione-herbal supplementation on serum sex hormone
concentrations in 30- to 59-year-old men.

Brown GA, Vukovich MD, Martini ER, Kohut ML, Franke WD, Jackson DA, King DS.

Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Performance,
Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.

The effectiveness of a nutritional supplement designed to enhance serum
testosterone concentrations and prevent the formation of dihydrotestosterone and
estrogens from the ingested androgens was investigated in healthy 30- to 59-year
old men. Subjects were randomly assigned to consume DION (300 mg
androstenedione, 150 mg dehydroepiandrosterone, 540 mg saw palmetto, 300 mg
indole-3-carbinol, 625 mg chrysin, and 750 mg Tribulus terrestris per day; n =
28) or placebo (n = 27) for 28 days. Serum free testosterone, total
testosterone, androstenedione, dihydrotestosterone, estradiol, prostate-specific
antigen (PSA), and lipid concentrations were measured before and throughout the
4-week supplementation period. Serum concentrations of total testosterone and
PSA were unchanged by supplementation. DION increased (p < 0.05) serum
androstenedione (342%), free testosterone (38%), dihydrotestosterone (71%), and
estradiol (103%) concentrations. Serum HDL-C concentrations were reduced by 5.0
mg/dL in DION (p < 0.05). Increases in serum free testosterone (r2 = 0.01),
androstenedione (r2 = 0.01), dihydrotestosterone (r2 = 0.03), or estradiol (r2 =
0.07) concentrations in DION were not related to age. While the ingestion of
androstenedione combined with herbal products increased serum free testosterone
concentrations in older men, these herbal products did not prevent the
conversion of ingested androstenedione to estradiol and dihydrotestosterone.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 11725694 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

7: Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2000 Sep;10(3):340-59.

Effects of anabolic precursors on serum testosterone concentrations and
adaptations to resistance training in young men.

Brown GA, Vukovich MD, Reifenrath TA, Uhl NL, Parsons KA, Sharp RL, King DS.

Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Performance,
Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.

The effects of androgen precursors, combined with herbal extracts designed to
enhance testosterone formation and reduce conversion of androgens to estrogens
was studied in young men. Subjects performed 3 days of resistance training per
week for 8 weeks. Each day during Weeks 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8, subjects consumed
either placebo (PL; n = 10) or a supplement (ANDRO-6; n = 10), which contained
daily doses of 300 mg androstenedione, 150 mg DHEA, 750 mg Tribulus terrestris,
625 mg Chrysin, 300 mg Indole-3-carbinol, and 540 mg Saw palmetto. Serum
androstenedione concentrations were higher in ANDRO-6 after 2, 5, and 8 weeks (p
<.05), while serum concentrations of free and total testosterone were unchanged
in both groups. Serum estradiol was elevated at Weeks 2, 5, and 8 in ANDRO-6 (p
<.05), and serum estrone was elevated at Weeks 5 and 8 (p <.05). Muscle strength
increased (p <.05) similarly from Weeks 0 to 4, and again from Weeks 4 to 8 in
both treatment groups. The acute effect of one third of the daily dose of
ANDRO-6 and PL was studied in 10 men (23 +/- 4 years). Serum androstenedione
concentrations were elevated (p <.05) in ANDRO-6 from 150 to 360 min after
ingestion, while serum free or total testosterone concentrations were unchanged.
These data provide evidence that the addition of these herbal extracts to
androstenedione does not result in increased serum testosterone concentrations,
reduce the estrogenic effect of androstenedione, and does not augment the
adaptations to resistance training.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 10997957 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

8: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999 Nov;84(11):3896-902.

The effect of dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation to symptomatic
perimenopausal women on serum endocrine profiles, lipid parameters, and
health-related quality of life.

Barnhart KT, Freeman E, Grisso JA, Rader DJ, Sammel M, Kapoor S, Nestler JE.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical
Center, Philadelphia 19104, USA.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), an androgenic steroid hormone, exhibits an
age-related decline. Perimenopausal women have only approximately 50% of peak
DHEA levels. Despite limited scientific data, DHEA has gained recognition as a
dietary supplement to reduce the symptoms of aging and improve well-being. This
randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial examined the effects of 50
mg/day of oral DHEA supplementation, for 3 months, on 60 perimenopausal women
with complaints of altered mood and well-being. Changes in the serum endocrine
profile of women in the DHEA group were significantly greater than the placebo
group, including a 242% [95% confidence interval (CI) +60.1, +423.9] increase in
DHEAS, a 94.8% (95% CI +34.2, +155.4) increase in testosterone, and a 13.2% (95%
CI -27.88, +0.5) decline in cortisol compared to baseline. Women receiving DHEA
had a 10.1% (95% CI -15.0, -5.1) decline in high-density lipoprotein and an
18.1% (95% CI -32.2, -3.9) decline in Lp(a) from baseline, but these declines
did not significantly differ from women who received placebo. Women receiving
DHEA did not have any improvements significantly greater than placebo in the
severity of perimenopausal symptoms, mood, dysphoria, libido, cognition, memory,
or well-being. DHEA supplementation significantly effects the endocrine profile,
may affect the lipid profile, but does not improve perimenopausal symptoms or
well-being compared to placebo.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 10566625 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]