DHEA: Breaking All the Rules of Growing Old

Health News

What is DHEA?
DHEA is the most abundant hormone in the human bloodstream. It is a precursor to the sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone, as well as a number of others found in the body. Levels are highest when we are in the prime of life, from ages 18 to 25, after which production begins to decline progressively over the next four decades to 10 percent of young adult levels. This steep decline has been proven to impact skin, bones, body fat, pulmonary artery hypertension, and brain function.  DHEA is the only hormone that decreases with age in both men and women and works in three important ways: it maintains normal sex hormone levels, inhibits the damaging effects of stress, and increases the production of antioxidant enzymes in the liver.  According to the Mayo Clinic, DHEA levels are reported to be low in some people with anorexia, end-stage kidney disease, type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes), AIDS, adrenal insufficiency, and in the critically ill. Low levels of DHEA can lead to chronic fatigue, weakness, depression, headaches, and leave one susceptible to infections and disease.   These levels may also be depleted by a number of drugs, including insulin, corticosteroids, opiates and danazol. 

DHEA  and Aging
Of course, men and women age differently, but science is now finding a common factor — a decrease in sex hormones.  Hormone therapy began in the 1940s and has been refined considerably over the past 60 years. While there are still contradictions, many physicians feel the benefits far outweigh the risks. 

In common everyday terminology, the word "menopause" refers to the entirety of a woman’s menopause transition years, but clinically speaking, menopause is a date; the day after her final period finishes. The process of the ovaries shutting down is a phenomenon involving all of a woman's reproductive functioning, from her brain to her skin.  This major physiological event usually has some effect on almost every aspect of a woman's body and life.   More specifically, women can anticipate a number of side effects from the decrease in estrogen and progesteron, including hot flashes, vaginal and urinary tract changes, loss of libido, emotional peaks and valleys, and fragile bones.  As a direct result of estrogen deficiency, LDL cholesterol increases and HDL decreases, increasing risk of cardiovascular disease.   The pharmaceutical industry recognizes the need to allev iate these symptoms; billions of dollars are spent each year by advertising targeted at the 44 million-plus, baby-boomer women that are near or in the menopausal category.  However, many don’t know that women actually derive over 75% of their estrogen from DHEA and nearly 100% after menopause.  Early recognition, lifestyle changes and hormone modulation have been shown to be very effective in reducing the incidence and severity of cardiovascular disease in post-menopausal women.

Unlike menopause, which generally occurs in women during their mid- 40s to mid- 50s, testosterone decline in men may be much more gradual. As men age, they experience gradual physical changes such as loss of muscle mass and increased fat mass which may be accompanied by changes in attitude and mood, the onset of fatigue and loss of energy, sex drive and physical agility. Often concentration and sleep are adversely affected as well. Andropause or "male menopause" is a recognized medical condition brought about by declining male hormone levels and is considered a normal part of aging.  By the time men are between the ages of 40 and 55 they can experience this decline in testosterone, with some estimating 30 percent of men in their 50s will have levels low enough to caus e symptoms. With age, a decline in testosterone  will occur in all men, however there is no way of predicting who will experience andropausal symptoms or at what age symptoms will occur.

Responses to low bioavailable sex hormone levels include:

• Low sex drive
• Sleep disturbances
• Emotional, psychological and behavioral changes
• Decreased muscle mass
• Loss of muscle strength
• Decreased physical stamina
• Decreased energy and vitality
• Increased central body fat
• Osteoporosis
• Cardiovascular risk

To date, more than 4,000 published scientific articles have revealed that supplemental DHEA has been shown to help slow the aging process, as well as help prevent diabetes and obesity. French researcher, Dr. Emile-Etienne Baulieu, who first isolated DHEA in the 1960 s, summed up the benefits of the hormone by stating, “DHEA won't make people live longer, but it will improve the quality of life over a longer period of time and will postpone some of the unpleasant effects of aging.” He added that hormone therapy alone is not a cure. The aging process can be slowed with mental and physical activity, a healthy diet, refraining from smoking, and living in a healthy environment in combination with hormone replacement or modulation.

DHEA and Weight Control
One of the most exciting benefits of DHEA is it helps the body burn fat, thus causing weight loss and avoiding unwanted pounds. DHEA's ability to facilitate the burning of fat may become one of the most significant finds of this century in weight control. Temple University School of Medicine has also found that elevated levels of DHEA caused weight loss without a change in appetite.

In a study published in JAMA in 2004, Villareal and Holloszy showed the value of DHEA therapy for treating metabolic syndrome associated with abdominal obesity. In a randomized, controlled trial, men and women between the ages of 65 and 78 were administered a daily oral dose of 50 mg of DHEA for six months. Subjects experienced a decrease of abdominal visceral fat and, by MRI, reduced subcutaneous fat. They also experienced a decrease of insulin and unchanged glucose levels, meaning an increased score in an insulin sensitivity index.  This is exceptionally good news for some diabetics, considering obesity is found in approximately 55 percent of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes .  Higher insulin levels from the ingestion of simple carbohydrates can cause a reduction of DHEA in the bodies of diabetic patients. Research indicates that early DHEA treatment may help prevent the development of some diabetic symptoms. 

Research also confirms DHEA's ability to block an enzyme named G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase). This enzyme is not only essential for fat tissue production but may also promote cancer cell growth. Blocking G6PD may, therefore, play a key role in DHEA's actions of reducing body fat and helping fight against cancer!

DHEA and Disease
The relationship between DHEA and the immune system may be the most significant of all. DHEA may aid protection against both bacterial and viral infections by stimulating T-cells, B-cells and macrophages . Research in areas such as lupus, multiple sclerosis and chronic fatigue show great promise, and in general, most people taking DHEA supplements report feelings of increased tolerance to stress, fatigue and illness, with the most immediate and lasting effects of elevated mood and sense of physical well-being 2.
Although it cannot be said with absolute certainty that raising your DHEA levels with supplements will prevent oncoming disease, research may suggest this — the best way to know how much to take is to have your DHEA levels checked by a physician.

DHEA Plus™
WIN’s DHEA Plus™ contains Bioperine®, a patented, pure piperine herbal extract obtained from hand-harvested, black pepper fruits. Piperine has the remarkable ability to a ffect several major mechanisms for controlling the exposure of its cells to nutritional and other substances, especially the metabolic conversion, assisted absorption, and solubilizer attachment of nutrients in the body. It enhances the body's natural thermogenic activity and is the only product sourced out of piperine to obtain a patented status for its ability to increase the bioavailability of nutritional compounds. Secondly, it is the only source from piperine to have undergone clinical studies in the United States to substantiate its safety and efficacy for nutritional use.

From weight gain, to low energy levels, to decreased sex drive — all of these are due to a decrease in sex hormones.  By supplementing with this natural hormone, you may be able to regain some control and enjoyment in the many aspects of life that change as you age.

by Cathy Oats  

Bioperine® is a registered trademark of Sabinsa Corporation.