What is DHEA?

DHEA is a prohormone, the most abundant naturally occurring base for hormones in the body. Humans make more and more DHEA from birth to about age 25. People make the most DHEA during the years when at reproductive prime – optimum health, energy, mental sharpness – between the ages of 18 to 25. This is when humans are naturally most fit to have children, think clearly, and have the physical strength to best care for their offspring.

DHEA is a major hormone is the most abundant of the steroid hormones. It acts in many positive ways as a hormone and has been shown to reduce cellular and tissue damage via its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune stimulating activity. Derived from cholesterol, DHEA is produced by the adrenal glands, brain, ovaries, and testes. DHEA is ALSO the precursor hormone for all the other sex hormones. All those other sex hormones also have a positive role in supporting overall health so, without adequate levels of DHEA, other hormone levels also drop.

DHEA, the 'anti-aging' hormone...

DHEA levels decline after around age 30 for the remainder of life at a rate of about 2% per year. By age 70 to 80 years, DHEA levels can be as low as 10% to 20% of those in young individuals. Because DHEA is important for many functions in the body, its decline correlates with the steady decline in many functions in the body – those often associated with the aging process and the increase in disease states.

DHEA is a base for other hormones such as testosterone, estrogen and estriol. This has been known and studied for more than 50 years. So many supplement companies have made and sold oral DHEA supplements hoping to help people over age 30 to maintain DHEA at youthful levels.

Along with overall wellness, DHEA can help with numerous functions

{DHEA body diagram}

Too Much, Too Little, and Contraindications

Some people should NOT use DHEA:

Women who are estrogen dominant or have any estrogen dominance related health issues such as endometriosis. Anyone with cardiac issues should definitely consult with a doctor before using DHEA. Anyone who has trouble sleeping. When used in excess, DHEA can increase facial hair and acne so if this has been an issue, DHEA probably is not a good match. People with liver disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid disorders, blood clotting disorders, and hormonal disorders should take caution when using DHEA. People with hormone-sensitive cancers such as prostate, breast, or ovarian should not take DHEA as it converts into estrogen in the body.

For most people, the loss of DHEA has been slow and steady over many years. Starting to use some DHEA will gradually begin to resupply the reservoir of DHEA (and its cousin compound DHEA-S which is the stored form of DHEA). As the reservoir refills and the body and brain have a supply of DHEA things like aches and pains start to disappear, energy levels start to increase, mood and motivation improves. Some women experience an improvement in libido and more vaginal lubrication. Others will experience improvements in memory and brain processing and reduced feelings of anxiety. A lot depends on the starting point. Some other effects will not really be visible such as improvements in bone density and better glucose management - this can take longer term use to have a positive effect.

Too much DHEA can result in over-excitability and insomnia. Because DHEA is a prohormone - it’s the foundation for other hormones including Testosterone, DHT, Estradiol. Too much DHEA can result in an increase in these other hormones beyond optimal levels.

Ok, But What About ME Specifically?

Because DHEA has SO MANY uses in the body, and because it converts into other hormones we cannot predict how it will behave in any one individual body - BUT! - we can give you some case study examples to show how it might work, depending on different make-ups!

Meet Clever Claire:

Claire is 59, and she has had low energy, fatigue, brain fog, and general malaise for a couple of years. She works freelance and loved it, but recently found that her lack of energy means she can't get anything done. She went through menopause in her early fifties, but hasn't used any hormone supplementation. DHEA could be helpful for Claire because it can help with overall energy and enthusiasm for live. Starting to use DHEA around age 60 can be a great way to maintain energy levels and provide a boost to her thinking and processing of information.

Meet Silver-fox Susan:

At 64, Susan has been having a great time in menopause, with hardly any symptoms except some vaginal atrophy, which she is treating with Silky Peach. Lucky Susan! But, recently, she has noticed that she has a lot of aches and pains, and at a recent Doc visit, she was told that she had some osteoporosis. She loves hiking, but has found she has really had to slow down due to inflammation. DHEA is helpful for supporting optimal response to inflammation. It helps "clear out" free radicals that cause swelling and pain. Estrogen is critical for maintaining healthy bones. The DHEA will be converted to testosterone and then on to estradiol which will help with bone maintainence.

Meet Badass Brenda:

Brenda had hot flashes from HELL! At 61, she had been having them for six years and was sick of it! When she found Vibrant Third progesterone, it helped with bloating, sleep, and those dreaded hot flashes (Woo hoo!), but recently she has a new issue - STRESS. Between helping with grandkids, helping as a caregiver to her hubby, and running her local pickleball club... she is feeling her cortisol levels go sky high. DHEA is a natural support for counteracting stress. While it's important to look at her life and work out what needs to change, using some DHEA will balance out any elevated cortisol in the short term. When cortisol is too high it causes damage to cells, DHEA helps protect cells from damage.

Meet Natural Nancy:

Nancy is 80, and is finally starting to slow down. Always one to be careful about her health she eats organic produce and other foods and is careful to make sure she lives a healthy lifestyle. She had a hysterectomy at age 58 due to a uterine prolapse and decided not to use any hormone supplementation. Now her energy is dropping and she is starting to feel "old". She is not happy with that and wants to understand if DHEA would be good for her. Because her hysterectomy was due to a physical reason rather than hormone, DHEA could be a good match for her. DHEA will gradually increase her energy levels as it works to help keep age related inflammation down and reduce any aches and pains. Some of the DHEA will convert to testosterone which is important for maintaining strong muscles. Some of that testosterone will convert to estradiol and both estradiol and testosterone and DHEA are important for helping her brain work well.

Meet Marvelous Marge:

Marge is 72, she had an okay time through menopause and has been enjoying retirement and a slower pace. She started on Silky Peach estriol and progesterone which helped with mood and vaginal health, but has been noticing that she forgets things and looses items more often. She is wondering if DHEA would be a good addition and, if so, how to use it with Silky Peach and Vibrant Third. DHEA in cream form will immediately cross into the brain where is has protective effects. DHEA will increase the levels of neurotransmitters important for forming memories and for learning. DHEA will also provide support for the immune system which is critical for removing any harmful free radicals and keeping the brain healthy.

Meet Wise Wanda:

Wanda is 58, she has been experiencing a lot of stress in her life, she is tired, not sleeping well and having a hard time keeping focus on all the things she is responsible for. She has endometriosis which has been well managed by progesterone. She uses just the smallest amount of SPC having learn that using too much will stir up the endometriosis symptoms. She wonders if DHEA would be good for her to help with stress and also help her brain work better. While DHEA would help with those things, because she has a condition related to estrogen, using DHEA cream is not a good idea. Some of the DHEA will be metabolized to testosterone and then on to estradiol. Estradiol makes cells grow and the last thing Wanda needs is for estradiol to grow the endometrial tissue and cause swelling and pain.