I’m sure you’ve heard a lot about DHEA and how it’s been coined as the “Mother of all Hormones,” but what exactly is DHEA? Where does it come from and what makes it so important?
DHEA (dehydroepiandosterone) is hormone secreted by the two endocrine glands that sit atop the kidneys known as the adrenals or adrenal glands. Experts say that levels of DHEA peak around age 25 and by the time we reach 70, our DHEA levels are only a mere 10% to 20% of what they were when we were in our 20’s. Like all hormones, when DHEA levels begins to decline, the hormonal imbalance can manifest itself into a host of symptoms such as memory loss, loss of muscle mass, bone loss, fatigue and weight gain. This is primarily due to the fact that DHEA is is a prohormone. The hormone serves as a precursor to sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone and as the production of DHEA tapers off, women and men begin to experience symptoms commonly associated with perimenopause, menopause and andropause (the male menopause).
Being that DHEA is a prohormone, it plays a large role in the production of other hormones – so when DHEA is out of whack, hormonal balance can fall to pieces. If you’re over the age of 35, it’s important to have your hormone levels tested regularly to stay on top of your hormonal health and wellness.
DHEA is said to be the most abundant hormone in humans, having various effects throughout the body. DHEA supplementation has proven to be useful in the treatment of many diseases and conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus or lupus and has also been found to help lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Studies have also revealed that DHEA also has preventive qualities – it turns out that adequate levels of DHEA can significantly lower one’s risk of cardiovascular problems including atherosclerosis, stoke and heart attack. DHEA has also been found to restore oxidative balance in diabetic patients. Our delicate interplay of hormones is like a big game of Jenga - you take one block away and the others can come toppling over is you’re not careful.
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