DHEA Research

Age-associated decline in anabolic hormone levels is a strong independent predictor of mortality in older men. Having multiple hormonal deficiencies rather than a deficiency in a single anabolic hormone is a robust biomarker of poor health status in older persons.

Maggio, M., Lauretani, F., Ceda, G. P., Bandinelli, S., Ling, S. M., Metter, E. J.,… Ferrucci, L. (2007). Relationship between low levels of anabolic hormones and 6-year mortality in older men: The aging in the Chianti Area (InCHIANTI) study. Archives of Internal Medicine, 167(20), 2249-2254.

DHEA improves immune function and decreases mortality.

Oberbeck, R., Dahlweid, M., Koch, R., van Griensven, M., Emmendörfer, A., Tscherne, H., & Pape, H.-C. (2001). Dehydroepiandrosterone decreases mortality rate and improves cellular immune function during polymicrobial sepsis. Critical Care Medicine, 29(2), 380-384

Higher endogenous DHEAS levels are independently and favorably associated with executive function, concentration, and working memory.

Davis, S. R., Shah, S. M., McKenzie, D. P., Kulkarni, J., Davison, S. L., & Bell, R. J. (2008). Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels are associated with more favorable cognitive function in women. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 93(3), 801-808.

DHEA-S and testosterone deficiency were independently associated with higher insulin resistance and obesity.

Rabijewski, M., Kozakowski, J., & Zgliczynski, W. (2005). The relationship between testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations, insulin resistance and visceral obesity in elderly men. Endokrynologia Polska, 56(6), 897-903

DHEA replacement could play a role in prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome associated with abdominal obesity.

Villareal, D. T., & Holloszy, J. O. (2004). Effect of DHEA on abdominal fat and insulin action in elderly women and men a randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 292(18), 2243-2248.

DHEA treatment may have significant antidepressant effects in some male and female patients with major depression.

Wolkowitz, O. M., Reus, V. I., Keebler, A., Nelson, N., Friedland, M., Brizendine, L., & Roberts, E. (1999). Double-blind treatment of major depression with dehydroepiandrosterone. American Journal of Psychiatry, 156(4), 646-649.

DHEA-S is a neuroactive steroid. Low DHEA levels are associated with depression and depressed mood.

Barrett-Connor, E., von Mühlen, D., Laughlin, G. A., & Kripke, A. (1999). Endogenous levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, but not other sex hormones, are associated with depressed mood in older women: The Rancho Bernardo Study. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 47(6), 685-691.

Long-term administration of DHEA to postmenopausal women modulated age-related changes in circulating androgens, progestins and adrenal function.

Genazzani, A. R., Pluchino, N., Begliuomini, S., Stomati, M., Bernardi, F., Pieri, M., . . . Luisi, M. (2006). Long-term low-dose oral administration of dehydroepiandrosterone modulates adrenal response to adrenocorticotropic hormone in early and late postmenopausal women. Gynecological Endocrinology, 22(11), 627-635.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is associated with lowered levels of DHEA and the latter may play a role in the pathophysiology of CFS.

Maes, M., Mihaylova, I., & De Ruyter, M. (2005). Decreased dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate but normal insulin-like growth factor in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): Relevance for the inflammatory response in CFS. Neuro Endocrinology Letters, 26(5), 487-492.

DHEA replacement has the beneficial effect of enhancing the increases in muscle mass and strength induced by heavy resistance exercise in elderly individuals.

Villareal, D. T., & Holloszy, J. O. (2006). DHEA enhances effects of weight training on muscle mass and strength in elderly women and men. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, 291(5), E1003-E1008.

Low dose DHEA treatment improves health-related quality of life with regard to mental well-being and sexuality.

Nordmark, G., Bengtsson, C., Larsson, A., Karlsson, F. A., Sturfelt, G., & Rönnblom, L. (2005). Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone supplement on health-related quality of life in glucocorticoid treated female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Autoimmunity, 38(7), 531-540.

Twenty-four healthy young men were given DHEA for seven days; DHEA administration improved memory recollection and mood while decreasing trough cortisol levels.

Alhaj, H. A., Massey, A. E., & McAllister-Williams, R. H. (2006). Effects of DHEA administration on episodic memory, cortisol and mood in healthy young men: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Psychopharmacology, 188(4), 541-551.

Men between the ages of 41 to 60 were given DHEA for 40 days. Findings included a decrease in total cholesterol, insulin, glucose and fasting insulin resistance index (FIRI).

Rabijewski, M., & Zgliczyński, W. (2005). Positive effects of DHEA therapy on insulin resistance and lipids in men with angiographically verified coronary heart disease–preliminary study. Endokrynologia Polska, 56(6), 904-910.

Low DHEA and DHEAS levels are predictive of ischemic heart disease in men.

Feldman, H. A., Johannes, C. B., Araujo, A. B., Mohr, B. A., Longcope, C., & McKinlay, J. B. (2001). Low dehydroepiandrosterone and ischemic heart disease in middle-aged men: Prospective results from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. American Journal of Epidemiology, 153(1), 79-89