A Hormone to Stop the Clock DHEA

Finding ways to stay younger longer are always popping up on the market. Everyone is looking for that fountain of youth. One product, a hormone known as dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is one of these.

This hormone is secreted by the adrenal glands and is the most abundant one in the body.

DHEA comes from cholesterol and once it is secreted the body can convert it into the hormones that it needs. These include estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and cortisone.

As we get older, the levels of this hormone goes down. This decrease has been associated with different diseases and conditions. Therefore, it might be worth taking a look at how DHEA supplements can keep you younger longer.

Keep in mind that DHEA is a hormone, not a vitamin or other nutrient. Therefore, always use it with the blessing of your medical professional.

Low levels of DHEA match up with high levels of heart disease. DHEA is part of the HDL and the LDL cholesterol that is in our bodies, meaning that DHEA reduces the oxidation that happens inside of cholesterol. This oxidation is part of the development of heart disease. DHEA supplements may be an important part of stopping arteriosclerosis as we get older.

DHEA also seems to have a significant impact on inflammatory levels. It lowers the production of cytokines that have been shown to develop chronic problems like rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimers, and some cancers. It also increases the bodys production of interferon-gamma which helps maintain a higher level of immune function.

Keeping your brain healthy is an important part of staying young. DHEA can improve memory and your mood. Low DHEA levels have also been found in severely depressed patients. Alzheimers patients have decreased DHEA levels as well.

DHEA can help make your love life better as well. DHEA has been shown to improve a womans sexual interest significantly, including how often they were having sexual fantasies and the level of fulfillment they got from sexual activity. In men, sexual desire, orgasmic function, and erectile function were all improved with DHEA supplementation.

While DHEA has been shown to have some anti-cancer properties, it should not be used in the case of prostate cancer, since it may stimulate the production of testosterone. Testosterone can cause prostate tumors to grow. If you have prostate cancer, or are at a high risk of getting it, you should only take DHEA under the advice of your doctor, and have your PSA levels tested often. Men in general should also consider taking prostate-helping herbs and antioxidants such as Saw Palmetto, lycopene, pygeum, nettle extract, and vitamin E while they are taking DHEA.

Your doctor can run a blood test to determine your current amount of DHEA in your system, and advice you on how much to supplement with accordingly. You should repeat the test three to six weeks after starting DHEA to confirm your best dosage. Discuss with your doctor about your optimal amounts of supplementation for best results.

DHEA may just be the valuable fountain of youth that all of us are searching for. With so many potential health benefits, it is worth discussing DHEA supplementation with your medical professional.