Saturday Quack - DHEA Not Much Use

Many older people take a supplement known as DHEA (which stands for dehydroepiandrosterone). It’s supposed to reverse age-related changes in body composition and function. DHEA is chemically similar to testosterone and estrogen, and is easily converted in the body into these hormones. DHEA blood levels are highest in young adults, and declines with age in both men and women.

Mayo Clinic endocrinologists have reported the effects of giving DHEA supplements to older volunteers over a 2-year period. The 87 men had low blood levels of DHEA and testosterone, and the 57 women had low levels of DHEA. The men were given DHEA (75 mg/day), low-dose testosterone, or placebo, and the women DHEA (50 mg/day) or placebo. Those men and women who received DHEA had increased their blood levels after 2 years, and the men who took testosterone had increased levels of this hormone. There was no significant effect of increased DHEA on body composition measurements, whereas added testosterone led to a slight increase in fat-free body tissue. Both treatments were associated with a minimal and inconsistent increase in bone mineral density. There were no effects on oxygen consumption, muscle strength, glucose tolerance, or insulin sensitivity.

We quote here Dr PM Stewart , an expert in the field: “The search for eternal youth will continue, but the reversal of age-related decreases in the secretion of DHEA and testosterone through physiologic replacement regimens [in this study – RWG] offered no answer and should not be attempted. DHEA should no longer be accepted as a food supplement and should be treated like a regulated drug.” There’s more on this at Quackwatch.