DHEA

DHEA is the most abundantly produced of the sex steroid hormones by both women and men. DHEA is resposible for many actions in the body, such as: mobilizing the immune system to combat infection, helping keep cholesterol levels in check, acting like an antidepressant to increase a sense of well-being and positive attitude, helping to control stress in the body, helping to ripen the cervix for birth, and is responsible for mother/baby bonding after birth. DHEA is a precursor to those magical little scent chemicals called pheromones, which are thought to influence our mating. This hormone can also benefit us by increasing lean body mass and muscle strength, improving sleep, decreasing joint soreness, increasing sensitivity to insulin, decreasing triglycerides, and overall increasing the quality of life.

DHEA is deficient in every major disease state, including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, various immune deficiencies, coronary artery disease, and autoimmune disorders. Oral replacement of DHEA appears to be of benefit in all of thes illnesses with no significant reported complications. One the other hand, natural enhancement of DHEA levels is now feasible and at least from a theoretical point of view, much more desirable.

DHEA is manufactured in the body from cholesterol; yet it is interesting to note that DHEA levels often decline with aging while cholesterol levels increase. This fact leads to speculation that there may be some enzymatic process that fails during adulthood. Low levels of DHEA have been shown to be predictive of heart disease in men, as well as breast cancer and ovarian cancer in women. It may play a role in maintaining brain cells and protecting against Alzheimer's disease. Brain tissue contains five to six times more DHEA than any other tissue in the body. People with Alzheimer's have almost half the amount of DHEA in their blood compared to age-matched controls. DHEA may also control fat, through the inhibition of an enzyme called glucose-6-dehydrogenase, which may block the body's ability to store and produce fat. It may also stimulate something called cholecystokinin (CCK), which signals the body to feel full.