DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is produced in the adrenal glands from pregnenolone and eventually converted into testosterone, estrone and estradiol. As we age, decreasing levels of DHEA could be pivotal to the onset of decreased health. DHEA supplementation has shown an ability to return levels to those experienced in younger years and support overall health.

• Not derived from wild yam extract
• Production of DHEA decreases with age
• Supplementation has been shown support overall health

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is what your body uses to naturally regulate production of 18 steroid hormones including sex hormones and stress hormones. DHEA is produced naturally from cholesterol in the gonads, within body fat, in the skin, in the brain and a large percent of DHEA production happens in the adrenal glands. DHEA is responsible for the production of 50% of testosterone in males and 75% of estrogen in females.

Through the production of other hormones, DHEA plays a natural role in increasing lean muscle mass, stimulating bone growth and burning fat. DHEA has been labeled the anti-aging drug by some. Studies have shown DHEA effective in controlling depression, improving mood and assisting with weight loss.

Bodybuilders often supplement with DHEA to increase testosterone production. Testosterone is known to assist with building lean muscle mass. Doses of 100mg daily for up to a year have been used for muscle strength.
Regular exercise stimulates natural production of DHEA. Reducing caloric intake can also stimulate production of this hormone precursor.

Restoration of levels of DHEA, in people with low DHEA levels, appears to reduce age-related physiological decline. DHEA supplementation has been used to treat adrenal insufficiency improving quality of life, increase exercise capacity, increase sex drive, and restore hormone levels in people with impaired adrenal function.

The body produces little DHEA from birth through about 7 years then production is increased. Your DHEA levels are at their highest in your twenties and decline after age 30. It is unclear if age is the cause of decreased production or DHEA or if we just need less as we age. Stress, caffeine and alcohol consumption can reduce levels of DHEA.