What is dhea?   DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is an endogenous hormone produced in the human body, and secreted by the adrenal glands. Dehydroepiandrosterone's main purpose is as a precursor to male and female sex hormones (androgens in males and estrogens in woman). The DHEA levels in humans start to decline after the age 30.

There are also some studies that show dhea to be low in some people with anorexia, kidney disease, diabetes, AIDS, adrenal insufficiency, and in the critically sick. DHEA levels may also be exhausted by several drugs, counting insulin, corticosteroids, opiates, and danazol.

DHEA can be understood as a prohormone for the sex steroids. The hormone is produced from cholesterol through two cytochrome P450 enzymes. DHEA and DHEAS are readily available in the United States, where they are regulated as foods rather than as medications.

DHEA has long been touted as an anti-aging therapy, used to ward off chronic illness and maintain energy and vigor. DHEA levels went up in the group that took DHEA supplements.  No studies on the long-term effects of DHEA have been conducted.

DHEA can produce higher than natural levels of androgens and estrogens in the body, and theoretically may heighten the danger of prostate, breast, ovarian, and other known hormone-sensitive cancers. DHEA is chemically similar to testosterone and estrogen and is easily converted into those hormones. Hence, it is not recommended for ordinary use without supervision by a licensed health professional.

5-androsten-3 β-ol-17-one, C19 steroid, dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, DHA, DHAS, DHEA-enanthate, DHEA-FA, DHEA-S, DHEAS, DS, 7-KETO DHE, 7-oxo-DHEA, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), the mother steroid, prasterone.

 

DHEA supplementation may alter the production or balance of various other hormones in the body.

DHEA replacement could play a role in prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome associated with abdominal obesity.

DHEA levels are known to fall precipitously with age, falling 90% from age 20 to age 90.