DHEA

Description

DHEA, produced by the adrenal glands, is the abbreviated name for the hormone known as dehydroepiandrosterone, which has long been recognised as an important biomarker of the physical bodily changes called ageing. It is thought to be a powerful anti-ageing, anticancer and cardioprotective agent and plays an important role in improving mood, increasing energy and libido, counteracting stress, preserving muscle, controlling weight and strengthening the immune system.

Since it is the building block used by the body to make many other vital hormones, DHEA has been called the "mother of all hormones". These hormones, which include the sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone, as well as many other steroid hormones, play an important role in mineral metabolism, muscle building, controlling stress, maintaining male and female characteristics and many other areas to keep the body strong and full of vitality.
Directly after birth, when the brain uses large quantities of DHEA for growth, its levels decline dramatically. As the brain approaches final development, DHEA levels once again increase. However, studies have shown that the body's production of DHEA drops sharply from the age of 20 to very low levels at old age. A 70 year-old typically only has about 10 percent of the DHEA of a 20 year-old. By the time a person reaches 80 years, DHEA levels have normally declined to less than 5 percent of that of a 20 year-old. This is the largest decline of an important biochemical yet documented.
DHEA production varies widely from person to person. Some people seem to maintain youthful levels into later life while others seem to become deficient in DHEA at a younger age. Chronic illness and major stress also deplete DHEA at a younger age. Many studies have shown a direct relationship between low DHEA levels and a wide range of degenerative diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, Parkinson's disease, obesity, disorders of the immune system, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. For instance, heart disease sufferers typically have lower DHEA levels than others of a similar age. People with Alzheimer's disease or many types of cancer can expect to have lower DHEA levels. In a long-term study involving 5 000 women it was found that DHEA levels fell drastically up to nine years before the development of breast cancer. Low levels of DHEA can lead to depression, chronic fatigue, headaches and weakness and leave one susceptible to infecti ons and disease.
Are low DHEA levels the cause or effect of aging and degenerative diseases? Research indicates that low DHEA levels can be a cause of age related disorders and that supplementation with DHEA can slow the ageing process. In a 12-year study of over 240 men aged 50 - 79 years, researchers found that DHEA levels inversely correlated with mortality from heart disease and other causes. In animal studies, DHEA extended rodents' life span by up to 50%. The animals not only lived longer, they also looked younger.

DHEA maintains normal sex hormone levels, it inhibits ageing by reducing stress levels and it increases the production of antioxidant enzymes in the liver. DHEA plays a major role in protecting brain neurons from senility-associated degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, and improves memory function. By taking DHEA as a supplement from middle age into old age, it is possible to raise DHEA levels in the body to those normally present in young adults. In the process, many aspects of youthful vitality can be restored. It is a totally natural substance that is normally present in the body. As is the case with all other non-toxic therapies, DHEA will only be effective when combined with a healthy lifestyle.
DHEA has the ability to help the body burn calories for energy rather than store them as fat. Extensive studies have shown that it blocks the essential enzyme named G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase), which the body uses for fat production. It increases natural hormone levels in men and women. The body needs the proper level of these necessary hormones for a healthier sex life. DHEA has been found to play an important role in preventing heart diseases by helping to lower cholesterol.

DHEA's ability to block the G6PD enzyme helps to protect the body against cancer, since G6PD also promotes cancer cell growth. Research indicates that DHEA helps insulin to function more efficiently, thereby normalising blood sugar levels. A recent small but well conducted study of 46 persons, 23 men and 23 women, built on previous work, suggested that DHEA can be effective for treating depression in some people. Early studies have shown that abnormally low levels of DHEA in HIV- infected persons were associated with progression to AIDS and that DHEA itself may have some antiviral activity.

DHEA has been called the "mother of all hormones". These hormones, which include the sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone, as well as many other steroid hormones, play an important role in mineral metabolism, muscle building, controlling stress, maintaining male and female characteristics and many other areas to keep the body strong and full of vitality.
 

Specification 

Composition:

Each capsule contains 25 mg DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) and 185 mg Microcrystalline Cellulose.
            

Pharmacological action:

DHEA is a bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for supplementing declining production of DHEA by the body itself as age progresses. The body is enabled to decide which hormones are needed and then synthesizes these from the DHEA available. Microcrystalline Cellulose is a naturally occurring substance and has been proven to be stable, safe and physiologically inert.
           

Indications:

Low levels of DHEA are associated with a number of diseases, such as heart disease, stress, inflammation and diabetes, which become more prevalent as age progresses. Women experience lower libido, muscle mass, energy and bone density, and for men DHEA is an important complement to testosterone therapy and may be a therapy for erectile dysfunction.
    

Contra-indications:

There are no known drug or nutrient interactions associated with DHEA. Since DHEA is converted into sex steroids, its use is contra-indicated for patients with hormone related cancer such as prostate, breast, ovarian or uterine cancer. High levels of DHEA can cause oily skin, acne, increased facial hair in women, deepening of the voice and mood swings.
Dosage:
Take 1 to 2 capsules per day
            

Identification:

Size 2 yellow and white natural gelatin capsules