Here's a requested post. Please note that I take this occasionally at 50 mg, but not constantly and NOT daily...some drs advocate 5 mg daily. Anyway, here's the post and I'll amend with dosing.
Depression and
DHEA Treatment
Depression is a broad term for a host of unpleasant feelings, including emotional numbness, lack of energy and motivation, feeling like a failure and feeling undesirable. These feelings frequently show up for the first time in middle-aged people who feel like they're over the hill. Elderly people too frequently get depressed, and are particularly at risk of suicide. Depression is a growing problem among teenagers as well.
Doctors have long known that giving estrogen to women and testosterone to men during mid-life can avert symptoms of depression, although the effects have never been phenomenal. Reports are stacking up that another hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), works better-much better. DHEA turns into both estrogen and testosterone. And it just so happens that it goes south about the time people start thinking about being "over the hill."
DHEA is involved in brain chemistry. It's not only utilized by the brain, it's manufactured by it. Although researchers don't know what it's supposed to do yet, they do know that giving a person 500 mg of DHEA will cause them to have more REM (dream) sleep. This suggests that DHEA has a major role in the brain.
DHEA is the only hormone besides cortisol that has consistently been linked with depression. It was studied as far back as the 1950s as an antidepressant. Back then, researchers reported that it gave people energy and confidence, and made them less depressed. While it seemed to work great, no one followed up on the original studies.
DHEA emerged on the scene again in the 1980s when interest in antiaging hormones geared up. It was noted then that antidepressant activity was part of DHEA's overall antiaging benefits. Then, in 1996, a report suggested that DHEA's antidepressant effects might be direct, and not just part of its overall antiaging effect. Researchers at Cambridge University then discovered that young kids with major depression have abnormally low levels of DHEA (and abnormally high levels of cortisol). This seemed to confirm that DHEA had a direct effect on mood.
In the late 1990s, DHEA's mood-enhancing effect was confirmed in a study from the University of California at San Diego. Researchers analyzed old data from a large study that had been done on 699 older women living in Rancho Bernardo, California. Their analysis is the largest study ever done on the association between levels of DHEA and depression. Nine different hormones had been measured during the study, which took place during the 1970s and '80s. Included in the measurements were such things as bioavailable testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin. When the results were in, DHEAS (DHEA sulfate, a metabolite) was the only hormone strongly associated with depression.
Women with the least DHEA were more likely to be depressed. This confirms an earlier study in which the percentage of women with depression was 21.7% if they had no detectable DHEA, versus 4.6% if DHEA could be detected in their blood. Interestingly, levels of DHEA in the Rancho study correlate with mood even within the normal range. In other words, the lower the DHEA, the worse the mood got. And DHEA correlated with mood irrespective of whether a person was taking antidepressants or not.
DHEA Stops Depression
A group at UC at San Francisco went at the DHEA/depression question another way. Researchers decided to give DHEA to people with depression and see if it would help. In the first double-blind, placebo-controlled study on DHEA's potential as an antidepressant, 11 patients with major depression were given up to 90 mg/day of DHEA for six weeks, and 11 were given a placebo. One week before the study actually began, all patients were given a placebo to weed out people who would respond to a sugar pill. People getting the real McCoy received 30 mg/day of DHEA for the first two weeks, 60 the second two weeks, and 90 the last two weeks. The idea of the graduated dose was to bring patients up to the DHEA levels they had when they were 20-30 years old (DHEA declines with age). Although the amount of DHEA wasn't adjusted individually, as it could have been, the graduated dose approximates what it takes to reach a "youthful" level in most people, according to Dr. Owen Wolkowitz, principle investigator on the study.
Some of the participants were taking antidepressants. For these people, the antidepressants were either working partially, or not working at all. Only people who had been on the same antidepressant for at least six weeks without changing were allowed in the study, and no changes could be made in anyone's medication during the study.
After six weeks, psychological tests indicated that about half the participants responded to DHEA therapy, with an overall enhance of mood scores by 30.5%. This is close to the response rate of antidepressant drugs.
An even better response was seen in another study conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health. In this study, participants were middle-aged people with dysthymia, a chronic, low-grade depression. They were given 90 mg of DHEA a day for three weeks, then 450 mg a day for three weeks more. A battery of psychological tests were administered, including the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, a visual analogue scale, and the Cornell Dysthymia Scale. (In addition, a day's worth of cognitive function tests were given, but DHEA didn't show a significant effect on cognition in this study. However, the researchers note a trend towards better cognition that could have played out if the study had lasted longer). None of the patients were taking any prescription drugs whatsoever except one man who was taking a hypertension drug. The study was set up in a very rigorous way: all participants got the drug or the placebo for six weeks, and then they were all secretly switched. All people involved in the study were blind to who was getting what.
DHEA significantly alleviated the participants' depression. Seven symptoms in particular got much better: lack of pleasure, low energy, low motivation, emotional numbness, sadness, inability to cope and excessive worry. DHEA worked for most people within 10 days. If the supplement was stopped, the symptoms came back. Overall, the response rate was 60%, which is better than what antidepressants usually do for dysthymia. Ninety milligrams a day was sufficient. No extra benefit was provided by the 450 mg dose.
Researchers have different theories about how DHEA alleviates depression. Both DHEA and DHEAS can cross the blood-brain barrier and interact with the brain directly. DHEA can affect serotonin, GABA receptors and other brain factors. A recent study indicates it might modulate the serotonin signaling pathway.
DHEA also has anti-stress effects that may be part of its antidepressant action. Research shows that cortisol, the stress hormone, is elevated in major depression. DHEA counteracts cortisol.
Interestingly, calmness appears to be associated with higher levels of DHEA. People who practice transcendental meditation have higher levels of DHEA than those who don't. People who took part in a stress reduction program were able to increase their DHEA by 100%. At the same time, they reduced their stress hormone by 23%.
Exercise has been reported to enhance mood. This mood-enhancing effect may be due to DHEA. Exercise raises levels of DHEA. In turn, DHEA has positive effects on the heart. In a study published in the American Journal of Cardiology, depression and heart attack went together: women with depression were at greater risk of heart attack, and vice-versa. One way DHEA is good for the heart is that it keeps arteries clear. In a study from Italy, higher levels of DHEAS correlated with less carotid artery thickening, and a lower risk of heart attack and stroke. DHEA works by inhibiting the growth of cells in the arteries.
Alleviating depression is the latest in a long list of benefits from DHEA. Antioxidant protection of the brain, bone enhancement, and heart protection are a few of the other benefits scientists are uncovering about the body's most abundant steroid. Considering the side effects and lag time of anti-depressants, DHEA is a good alternative.
DHEA dosing and safety precautions
Properly managed DHEA therapy can be useful for most older men and women to increase energy, vitality, and to foster an overall youthful feeling. However, there are guidelines that should be followed for safe long-term use of DHEA.
When taking oral supplements of DHEA, it is important that antioxidants are available to the liver because DHEA can promote free radicals in liver cells. Animal studies have shown that extremely high doses (from 2,000 to 10,000 mg DHEA daily in human terms) caused liver damage in mice and rats. When antioxidants were given along with the DHEA, liver damage did not occur despite the massive doses of DHEA being administered to these animals. It should be noted that the amount of DHEA shown to cause liver damage is 20 times more than is necessary to produce anti-aging benefits. Green tea, vitamin E and n-acetyl-cysteine are antioxidants that have been shown to be especially effective in suppressing free radicals in the liver.
The Life Extension Foundation has evaluated thousands of DHEA blood tests to determine the ideal dose of DHEA for both men and women. Our findings indicate that the optimal dosage range for DHEA varies considerably among individuals. Prior recommendations to take DHEA three times a day are now being replaced with a general recommendation that men and women should consider taking a total of 15 to 75 mg a day in one to three divided doses. Most human studies use a daily dose of 50 mg, and this is the typical daily dose the majority of people use DHEA supplements to restore serum DHEA to youthful levels. DHEA supplements can be taken with or without food, though some believe that fat helps DHEA to assimilate better. Some people absorb DHEA better by taking it 20-30 minutes before meals.
A DHEAS (dihydroepiandrosterone sulfate) blood test should be taken 3-6 weeks after beginning DHEA therapy to help determine optimal dosing. Some people neglect to test their blood levels for DHEA and wind up chronically taking the wrong dose. When having your blood tested for DHEA, blood should be drawn three to four hours after the last dose. DHEA testing can save you money if it shows that you can take less DHEA to maintain youthful DHEA serum levels.
The standard blood test to evaluate DHEA status is one that measures DHEAS. The DHEAS is calculated in micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) of blood. The youthful ranges of DHEA are as follows:
Men Women
400-560 350-430
People over age 40, who do not supplement with DHEA, usually have serum levels below 200, and many are way below 100. Chronic DHEA deficiency is a risk factor for developing the degenerative diseases of aging according to the preponderance of evidence existing in the scientific literature.
Some people obtain a baseline DHEAS blood test before beginning DHEA replacement therapy, however, based upon numerous DHEA blood tests evaluated by The Life Extension Foundation, anyone over age 40 who does not supplement DHEA is already deficient in serum DHEA. Therefore, it may be more economical to have the first DHEA blood test 3-6 weeks after initiating DHEA replacement therapy. There are precautions that should be observed that are different for men and women.
Men
Before initiating DHEA therapy, men should know their serum PSA (prostate specific antigen) level and have passed a digital rectal exam. Men with prostate cancer or severe benign prostate disease are advised to avoid DHEA since DHEA can be converted into testosterone (and estrogen). These sex hormones and their metabolites can promote benign and malignant prostate cell proliferation. It is important to understand, however, that well-controlled studies show that serum DHEA levels are usually lower in men with malignant prostate disease compared to healthy control subjects. Therefore, men are advised to have a PSA and digital rectal exam before initiating DHEA therapy to rule out existing prostate disease, not because DHEA causes the disease. To the contrary, there is evidence indicating that maintaining youthful levels of DHEA may protect against prostate cancer. To reduce the risk that hormone modulation with DHEA could contribute to a prostate problem, men taking DHEA are also advised to take:
Vitamin E 400-800 i.u. a day
Selenium 200-600 mcg a day
Mega Soy Extract 135 mg twice daily (40% isoflavone extract)
Lycopene Extract 20-40 mg a day
Saw Palmetto Extract 160 mg, twice daily
Pygeum Extract 50 mg, twice daily
Nettle Extract 120 mg, twice daily
Note: An aromatase inhibitor should be considered if serum estrogen levels are high. Refer to the Male Hormone Modulation Protocol for complete information about suppressing excessive estrogen levels.
Men over 40 should consider checking their PSA and DHEAS serum levels every six to twelve months thereafter. Men should also periodically check their blood levels of free testosterone and estrogen to make sure that DHEA is following a youthful metabolic pathway. Men taking DHEA should refer to the Male Hormone Modulation Protocol to learn about additional hormone balance testing that can be done at the same time serum DHEA and PSA levels are being tested.
Women
DHEA can increase serum estrogen levels in women and eliminate the need for estrogen replacement therapy in some women. To help protect cells (especially breast cells) from excessive proliferation in response to estrogen, women taking DHEA should also take:
Melatonin 500 mcg to 3 mg (every night)
Vitamin E Succinate 40-800 IU per day
Mega Soy Extract 135 mg, twice daily (40% isoflavone extract)
Indole-3-carbinol 200 mg, twice daily
Vitamin D3 1000-1400 IU a day
Women should consider estrogen and testosterone testing when they take their DHEA blood test in order to evaluate DHEA's effect on their blood levels of estrogens.
Women who have been diagnosed with an estrogen-dependent cancer should consult their physicians before beginning DHEA therapy. Some studies indicate that higher serum DHEA protects against breast cancer, but no adequate studies have been done to evaluate the effects of DHEA in breast cancer patients. If DHEA where to elevate estrogens too much, this could theoretically increase the risk of breast cancer. Women taking DHEA should refer to the Female Hormone Modulation Protocol at www.lef.org for information about restoring youthful hormone balance.
Liver disease
Men or women with existing liver disease (such as viral hepatitis or cirrhosis) should consider taking DHEA sublingually (under your tongue) or use a topical DHEA cream to reduce the amount of DHEA entering the liver. DHEA is converted by the liver into DHEAS. Those with liver disease should carefully monitor liver enzyme levels to make sure that DHEA therapy is not making existing liver disease worse.
DHEA is best taken early in the day or possible insomnia could result. DHEA is normally produced by the adrenal glands early in the day and converted by the liver to DHEAS by mid-day when the DHEA/DHEAS ratio is usually stabilized (10% DHEA/90% DHEAS).
We again recommend that those taking DHEA have a DHEA blood test to make sure they are taking the precise dose to suit their individual biochemistry. Some people only need to take a small amount of DHEA in order to restore blood levels to that of a 21 year old, while others need to take higher levels of DHEA. Those with existing prostate or breast cancers should not take DHEA unless closely supervised by a knowledgeable physician who understands DHEA's metabolic pathways.
Some people supplement with the hormone pregnenolone in lieu of, or in addition to, DHEA. Since pregnenolone naturally converts into many of the same hormones as DHEA, some of the precautions we advise for DHEA may apply to pregnenolone. If DHEA replacement sounds complicated, it is compared to other preventive supplement programs. We suggest weighing the documented anti-aging benefits of maintaining youthful serum DHEA levels when deciding whether to embark on a DHEA replacement regimen. Or stated differently, review the degenerative effects of chronic DHEA deficiency to decide whether this program is worth your time and money.
Depression and
DHEA Treatment
Depression is a broad term for a host of unpleasant feelings, including emotional numbness, lack of energy and motivation, feeling like a failure and feeling undesirable. These feelings frequently show up for the first time in middle-aged people who feel like they're over the hill. Elderly people too frequently get depressed, and are particularly at risk of suicide. Depression is a growing problem among teenagers as well.
Doctors have long known that giving estrogen to women and testosterone to men during mid-life can avert symptoms of depression, although the effects have never been phenomenal. Reports are stacking up that another hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), works better-much better. DHEA turns into both estrogen and testosterone. And it just so happens that it goes south about the time people start thinking about being "over the hill."
DHEA is involved in brain chemistry. It's not only utilized by the brain, it's manufactured by it. Although researchers don't know what it's supposed to do yet, they do know that giving a person 500 mg of DHEA will cause them to have more REM (dream) sleep. This suggests that DHEA has a major role in the brain.
DHEA is the only hormone besides cortisol that has consistently been linked with depression. It was studied as far back as the 1950s as an antidepressant. Back then, researchers reported that it gave people energy and confidence, and made them less depressed. While it seemed to work great, no one followed up on the original studies.
DHEA emerged on the scene again in the 1980s when interest in antiaging hormones geared up. It was noted then that antidepressant activity was part of DHEA's overall antiaging benefits. Then, in 1996, a report suggested that DHEA's antidepressant effects might be direct, and not just part of its overall antiaging effect. Researchers at Cambridge University then discovered that young kids with major depression have abnormally low levels of DHEA (and abnormally high levels of cortisol). This seemed to confirm that DHEA had a direct effect on mood.
In the late 1990s, DHEA's mood-enhancing effect was confirmed in a study from the University of California at San Diego. Researchers analyzed old data from a large study that had been done on 699 older women living in Rancho Bernardo, California. Their analysis is the largest study ever done on the association between levels of DHEA and depression. Nine different hormones had been measured during the study, which took place during the 1970s and '80s. Included in the measurements were such things as bioavailable testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin. When the results were in, DHEAS (DHEA sulfate, a metabolite) was the only hormone strongly associated with depression.
Women with the least DHEA were more likely to be depressed. This confirms an earlier study in which the percentage of women with depression was 21.7% if they had no detectable DHEA, versus 4.6% if DHEA could be detected in their blood. Interestingly, levels of DHEA in the Rancho study correlate with mood even within the normal range. In other words, the lower the DHEA, the worse the mood got. And DHEA correlated with mood irrespective of whether a person was taking antidepressants or not.
DHEA Stops Depression
A group at UC at San Francisco went at the DHEA/depression question another way. Researchers decided to give DHEA to people with depression and see if it would help. In the first double-blind, placebo-controlled study on DHEA's potential as an antidepressant, 11 patients with major depression were given up to 90 mg/day of DHEA for six weeks, and 11 were given a placebo. One week before the study actually began, all patients were given a placebo to weed out people who would respond to a sugar pill. People getting the real McCoy received 30 mg/day of DHEA for the first two weeks, 60 the second two weeks, and 90 the last two weeks. The idea of the graduated dose was to bring patients up to the DHEA levels they had when they were 20-30 years old (DHEA declines with age). Although the amount of DHEA wasn't adjusted individually, as it could have been, the graduated dose approximates what it takes to reach a "youthful" level in most people, according to Dr. Owen Wolkowitz, principle investigator on the study.
Some of the participants were taking antidepressants. For these people, the antidepressants were either working partially, or not working at all. Only people who had been on the same antidepressant for at least six weeks without changing were allowed in the study, and no changes could be made in anyone's medication during the study.
After six weeks, psychological tests indicated that about half the participants responded to DHEA therapy, with an overall enhance of mood scores by 30.5%. This is close to the response rate of antidepressant drugs.
An even better response was seen in another study conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health. In this study, participants were middle-aged people with dysthymia, a chronic, low-grade depression. They were given 90 mg of DHEA a day for three weeks, then 450 mg a day for three weeks more. A battery of psychological tests were administered, including the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, a visual analogue scale, and the Cornell Dysthymia Scale. (In addition, a day's worth of cognitive function tests were given, but DHEA didn't show a significant effect on cognition in this study. However, the researchers note a trend towards better cognition that could have played out if the study had lasted longer). None of the patients were taking any prescription drugs whatsoever except one man who was taking a hypertension drug. The study was set up in a very rigorous way: all participants got the drug or the placebo for six weeks, and then they were all secretly switched. All people involved in the study were blind to who was getting what.
DHEA significantly alleviated the participants' depression. Seven symptoms in particular got much better: lack of pleasure, low energy, low motivation, emotional numbness, sadness, inability to cope and excessive worry. DHEA worked for most people within 10 days. If the supplement was stopped, the symptoms came back. Overall, the response rate was 60%, which is better than what antidepressants usually do for dysthymia. Ninety milligrams a day was sufficient. No extra benefit was provided by the 450 mg dose.
Researchers have different theories about how DHEA alleviates depression. Both DHEA and DHEAS can cross the blood-brain barrier and interact with the brain directly. DHEA can affect serotonin, GABA receptors and other brain factors. A recent study indicates it might modulate the serotonin signaling pathway.
DHEA also has anti-stress effects that may be part of its antidepressant action. Research shows that cortisol, the stress hormone, is elevated in major depression. DHEA counteracts cortisol.
Interestingly, calmness appears to be associated with higher levels of DHEA. People who practice transcendental meditation have higher levels of DHEA than those who don't. People who took part in a stress reduction program were able to increase their DHEA by 100%. At the same time, they reduced their stress hormone by 23%.
Exercise has been reported to enhance mood. This mood-enhancing effect may be due to DHEA. Exercise raises levels of DHEA. In turn, DHEA has positive effects on the heart. In a study published in the American Journal of Cardiology, depression and heart attack went together: women with depression were at greater risk of heart attack, and vice-versa. One way DHEA is good for the heart is that it keeps arteries clear. In a study from Italy, higher levels of DHEAS correlated with less carotid artery thickening, and a lower risk of heart attack and stroke. DHEA works by inhibiting the growth of cells in the arteries.
Alleviating depression is the latest in a long list of benefits from DHEA. Antioxidant protection of the brain, bone enhancement, and heart protection are a few of the other benefits scientists are uncovering about the body's most abundant steroid. Considering the side effects and lag time of anti-depressants, DHEA is a good alternative.
DHEA dosing and safety precautions
Properly managed DHEA therapy can be useful for most older men and women to increase energy, vitality, and to foster an overall youthful feeling. However, there are guidelines that should be followed for safe long-term use of DHEA.
When taking oral supplements of DHEA, it is important that antioxidants are available to the liver because DHEA can promote free radicals in liver cells. Animal studies have shown that extremely high doses (from 2,000 to 10,000 mg DHEA daily in human terms) caused liver damage in mice and rats. When antioxidants were given along with the DHEA, liver damage did not occur despite the massive doses of DHEA being administered to these animals. It should be noted that the amount of DHEA shown to cause liver damage is 20 times more than is necessary to produce anti-aging benefits. Green tea, vitamin E and n-acetyl-cysteine are antioxidants that have been shown to be especially effective in suppressing free radicals in the liver.
The Life Extension Foundation has evaluated thousands of DHEA blood tests to determine the ideal dose of DHEA for both men and women. Our findings indicate that the optimal dosage range for DHEA varies considerably among individuals. Prior recommendations to take DHEA three times a day are now being replaced with a general recommendation that men and women should consider taking a total of 15 to 75 mg a day in one to three divided doses. Most human studies use a daily dose of 50 mg, and this is the typical daily dose the majority of people use DHEA supplements to restore serum DHEA to youthful levels. DHEA supplements can be taken with or without food, though some believe that fat helps DHEA to assimilate better. Some people absorb DHEA better by taking it 20-30 minutes before meals.
A DHEAS (dihydroepiandrosterone sulfate) blood test should be taken 3-6 weeks after beginning DHEA therapy to help determine optimal dosing. Some people neglect to test their blood levels for DHEA and wind up chronically taking the wrong dose. When having your blood tested for DHEA, blood should be drawn three to four hours after the last dose. DHEA testing can save you money if it shows that you can take less DHEA to maintain youthful DHEA serum levels.
The standard blood test to evaluate DHEA status is one that measures DHEAS. The DHEAS is calculated in micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) of blood. The youthful ranges of DHEA are as follows:
Men Women
400-560 350-430
People over age 40, who do not supplement with DHEA, usually have serum levels below 200, and many are way below 100. Chronic DHEA deficiency is a risk factor for developing the degenerative diseases of aging according to the preponderance of evidence existing in the scientific literature.
Some people obtain a baseline DHEAS blood test before beginning DHEA replacement therapy, however, based upon numerous DHEA blood tests evaluated by The Life Extension Foundation, anyone over age 40 who does not supplement DHEA is already deficient in serum DHEA. Therefore, it may be more economical to have the first DHEA blood test 3-6 weeks after initiating DHEA replacement therapy. There are precautions that should be observed that are different for men and women.
Men
Before initiating DHEA therapy, men should know their serum PSA (prostate specific antigen) level and have passed a digital rectal exam. Men with prostate cancer or severe benign prostate disease are advised to avoid DHEA since DHEA can be converted into testosterone (and estrogen). These sex hormones and their metabolites can promote benign and malignant prostate cell proliferation. It is important to understand, however, that well-controlled studies show that serum DHEA levels are usually lower in men with malignant prostate disease compared to healthy control subjects. Therefore, men are advised to have a PSA and digital rectal exam before initiating DHEA therapy to rule out existing prostate disease, not because DHEA causes the disease. To the contrary, there is evidence indicating that maintaining youthful levels of DHEA may protect against prostate cancer. To reduce the risk that hormone modulation with DHEA could contribute to a prostate problem, men taking DHEA are also advised to take:
Vitamin E 400-800 i.u. a day
Selenium 200-600 mcg a day
Mega Soy Extract 135 mg twice daily (40% isoflavone extract)
Lycopene Extract 20-40 mg a day
Saw Palmetto Extract 160 mg, twice daily
Pygeum Extract 50 mg, twice daily
Nettle Extract 120 mg, twice daily
Note: An aromatase inhibitor should be considered if serum estrogen levels are high. Refer to the Male Hormone Modulation Protocol for complete information about suppressing excessive estrogen levels.
Men over 40 should consider checking their PSA and DHEAS serum levels every six to twelve months thereafter. Men should also periodically check their blood levels of free testosterone and estrogen to make sure that DHEA is following a youthful metabolic pathway. Men taking DHEA should refer to the Male Hormone Modulation Protocol to learn about additional hormone balance testing that can be done at the same time serum DHEA and PSA levels are being tested.
Women
DHEA can increase serum estrogen levels in women and eliminate the need for estrogen replacement therapy in some women. To help protect cells (especially breast cells) from excessive proliferation in response to estrogen, women taking DHEA should also take:
Melatonin 500 mcg to 3 mg (every night)
Vitamin E Succinate 40-800 IU per day
Mega Soy Extract 135 mg, twice daily (40% isoflavone extract)
Indole-3-carbinol 200 mg, twice daily
Vitamin D3 1000-1400 IU a day
Women should consider estrogen and testosterone testing when they take their DHEA blood test in order to evaluate DHEA's effect on their blood levels of estrogens.
Women who have been diagnosed with an estrogen-dependent cancer should consult their physicians before beginning DHEA therapy. Some studies indicate that higher serum DHEA protects against breast cancer, but no adequate studies have been done to evaluate the effects of DHEA in breast cancer patients. If DHEA where to elevate estrogens too much, this could theoretically increase the risk of breast cancer. Women taking DHEA should refer to the Female Hormone Modulation Protocol at www.lef.org for information about restoring youthful hormone balance.
Liver disease
Men or women with existing liver disease (such as viral hepatitis or cirrhosis) should consider taking DHEA sublingually (under your tongue) or use a topical DHEA cream to reduce the amount of DHEA entering the liver. DHEA is converted by the liver into DHEAS. Those with liver disease should carefully monitor liver enzyme levels to make sure that DHEA therapy is not making existing liver disease worse.
DHEA is best taken early in the day or possible insomnia could result. DHEA is normally produced by the adrenal glands early in the day and converted by the liver to DHEAS by mid-day when the DHEA/DHEAS ratio is usually stabilized (10% DHEA/90% DHEAS).
We again recommend that those taking DHEA have a DHEA blood test to make sure they are taking the precise dose to suit their individual biochemistry. Some people only need to take a small amount of DHEA in order to restore blood levels to that of a 21 year old, while others need to take higher levels of DHEA. Those with existing prostate or breast cancers should not take DHEA unless closely supervised by a knowledgeable physician who understands DHEA's metabolic pathways.
Some people supplement with the hormone pregnenolone in lieu of, or in addition to, DHEA. Since pregnenolone naturally converts into many of the same hormones as DHEA, some of the precautions we advise for DHEA may apply to pregnenolone. If DHEA replacement sounds complicated, it is compared to other preventive supplement programs. We suggest weighing the documented anti-aging benefits of maintaining youthful serum DHEA levels when deciding whether to embark on a DHEA replacement regimen. Or stated differently, review the degenerative effects of chronic DHEA deficiency to decide whether this program is worth your time and money.