Your body uses DHEA as a building block for other critical hormones like estrogens and androgens, which means that it is an essential component of peak health. Simply put, if you don’t have enough DHEA, your body won’t be able to function normally, and you won’t feel good.
DHEA levels tend to decline with age, but some people may develop low DHEA levels as a result of poor nutrition, adrenal insufficiency, or even without a specific identifiable cause. Regardless of why you might develop low DHEA levels, people with insufficient DHEA typically experience symptoms such as:
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Low mood
- Difficulty gaining muscle
- Low sex drive
- Compromised immune function
While it isn’t clear whether these effects stem from low levels of DHEA itself or low levels of the hormones which are produced using DHEA as a component, DHEA supplementation may ease your symptoms and restore your body to a healthy hormonal state.
The Multiple Benefits Of DHEA
Your body primarily produces DHEA in your adrenal glands, but also produces some in your ovaries or testes, as well as your brain. In each of these contexts, DHEA plays a slightly different role. This means that DHEA may benefit your health in several diverse ways:
Correcting Hormone Imbalances and Adrenal Conditions
DHEA treatment may have significant benefits for people who suffer from adrenal insufficiency or a hormone imbalance that originates from low levels of DHEA. Having low levels of DHEA can lead to having depressed levels of the hormones which use DHEA as a building block, like testosterone and estrogen. If you’re struggling with health issues such as low testosterone or estrogen deficiency, it’s possible that DHEA treatment could give your body the materials it needs to restore those hormones to their normal levels to feel good again.
Protecting Cardiovascular Health
The fact that DHEA can help normalize the levels of hormones like testosterone and estrogen makes it a powerful health tool, but it also can act on your body’s cells directly to change their behavior. Significantly, emerging evidence suggests that DHEA may offer protective benefits for your cardiovascular system due to its ability to dilate your veins, reduce inflammation, and diminish the risk of harmful blood clots. While more research is needed to more clearly establish a connection, the possibility of using DHEA to promote heart health is an exciting development.
Strengthening Muscles and Bones
According to the latest research, DHEA seems to beneficially interact with muscle tissue in many regions of the body, increasing the rate of fat breakdown and potentially causing increased muscle growth. Additionally, both muscle and bone become more dense when exposed to DHEA. While it is unclear whether it’s possible to reliably induce these effects via DHEA treatment, this beneficial relationship could potentially help your body stay strong and healthy as you age, especially if you are at risk for osteoporosis.
