Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an important cholesterol-based steroid hormone that can be converted to estrogen and testosterone. However, it has additional functions vital to immunity, cognition, control of inflammation, and the health of bone, skin, and blood vessels.
Levels tend to decline with age, and reduced availability can contribute to loss of muscle and bone tissue, mood disorders, cognitive impairment, decreased immunity, and cardiovascular disorders.
DHEA, which is anabolic, can counteract the high levels of catabolic cortisol that occur during stress. Unfortunately, this ability declines with age. Functional practitioners recommend restoring levels of DHEA-S, the sulfated active form, to the level of a healthy 30-year-old in order to optimize health effects.
If indicated, supplementation can help restore blood levels to optimal and may be supportive in adrenal insufficiency, cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease, menopause, and inflammatory bowel disease.
DHEA supplementation may need to be restricted or avoided in hormone-dependent cancers or during hormone or anti-hormone therapy.
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