DHEA
There has been a great deal written about DHEA in the lay press. Much is true, even more is false. You no doubt have heard it referred to as a “fountain of youth in a pill” in health magazines, or read that it can cause prostate or breast cancer. DHEA is an important “pre” hormone and its age-related decline has been correlated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in men, decreased immune system function in both sexes, decreased insulin sensitivity, and decreased growth hormone levels.
Human studies in which the level of DHEAS (the form found circulating in the blood) was replaced back to the levels of a 25 year old have shown impressive results in older adults and in younger adults with lower than expected levels. On study showed patients experienced an increase in lean muscle mass and a decrease in fat mass, although the latter only in the men. In addition, they had a remarkable increase in their perception of their psychological and physical well-being. These same researchers did a similar study to assess the effect of DHEA on immune function and found the specialized immune cells responsible for killing viruses and tumor cells before they grow into cancers functioned more effectively. Many other studies have been done documenting the beneficial effect of bringing the DHEAS level back to younger adult levels in lupus, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and prior to vaccination.
DHEA is so safe and relatively free of side effects that the FDA does not require a prescription for its sale. There is no evidence that its use causes an increased risk of breast or prostate cancer, but if one already has either of these cancers there are no studies on safety. Because of this we require our female clients continue their physician for routine annual exams and mammograms, and our male clients have a regular physician who performs rectal exams. We do screen with PSA in our practice. The only side effects of DHEA in the doses we use (which bring DHEAS levels back to that of a 25 year old) are a slight increase in acne in some patients predisposed to it and in some women increased hair growth, both of which resolve with dose reduction.
