DHEA

Introduction

There are many helpful and healthy dietary supplements on the market today.  As you go about making decisions regarding dietary supplements, it can be helpful to you to understand how different dietary supplements actually work.  Indeed, you really need to understand the basics about different dietary supplements generally.  Through this informational article, you will be provided with essentially information about DHEA.

What is DHEA?

DHEA is the most abundant hormone in the body and is produced in the adrenal glands.  The production of DHEA in the body begins around age 6 and peaks at around 25 and then begins declining to only 10% by the age of 80.  Approximately one half of men’s testosterone and 75% of women’s estrogen come from DHEA and after menopause 100% of a women’s estrogen will be derived from it.

DHEA and the Aging Process:  When Dietary Supplements Can Help

Since DHEA is a natural hormone, which is produced in the adrenal glands and that its decline through the aging process could be linked to all kinds of the problems of aging.  Aging processes like decreased immune function, heart attacks, gaining weight and myriad of other age related symptoms.

With DHEA levels dropping significantly with aging, studies have shown that older people have experienced the most noticeable results when it is taken.  The main effects that have been reported show that the elderly gained more energy and greater mental clarity with the use of DHEA.

DHEA and Your Immune System and Stress Response

Additionally, some believe that it plays a role in the immune and stress response in the body and in the 1990s it was touted as the cure for absolutely any disease.  But over the last decade, studies have shown that this naturally occurring hormone can help to prevent cancer, fight viruses, increase the libido, reduce depression, increase insulin sensitivity and slow down Alzheimer’s disease.  It also can help lower bad cholesterol, which helps protect the heart and arteries.  In short, DHEA is very important when considered in regard to the universe of different dietary supplements that are available to you on the market today.  Many people -- including experts in the field -- now consider DHEA to be one of the most important aspects of an overall healthy diet program that includes dietary supplements.

The FDA, Dietary Supplements and DHEA

In 1994, after the Food and Drug Administration regulations were changed, DHEA began appearing on the shelves at the health food stores as a dietary supplement.