WHAT IS DHEA?

Q. What is DHEA and why is it good for me?

A. DHEA, actually 5-Dehydroepiandosterone is a steroid hormone produced along with cortisol by the adrenal glands. It is the most abundant steroid hormone in the body. Much like cortisol, it is produced in higher amounts in response to a stressor.

Most DHEA circulating in the blood is in a sulfate form, DHEA-S. DHEA-S is stable throughout the day, while free DHEA has a diurnal pattern of being high in the morning and decreasing as the day goes on (similar to the 'normal' pattern for cortisol levels). DHEA-S, is often considered a more accurate measurement of these hormone levels, because of its stable pattern throughout the day. DHEA/DHEA-S measurements are an indicator of overall adrenal function, high (in hyperplasia) or low (in adrenal exhaustion or Addison's). Women with PCOS are also commonly high in DHEA-S.

It should be noted that, because DHEA has such abundant action within the body as it is the precursor to a wide array of different hormones, as a supplement it is a restricted substance in Canada. It is available as a supplement in other countries. Read on to find out ways to naturally support DHEA through other means.

Cortisol to DHEA ratio
DHEA is a cortisol antagonist, meaning that it competes with cortisol at receptor sites, balancing its effects and trying to prevent cortisol from getting too high for too long. The ratio of cortisol to DHEA is potentially much more important in terms of an overall health or disease marker, than DHEA alone. The ratio of cortisol to DHEA should be relatively small. As we age, the ratio increases,. DHEA declines, while cortisol stays the same. In terms of adrenal exhaustion at any given age, the ratio may be extremely high, simply because DHEA decreases first, or very low, if it has been a long term process and both cortisol and DHEA levels have 'crashed'. There are a number of medical conditions that can increase the ratio of cortisol to DHEA, including chronic stress, obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and hypothyroidism.

Why is DHEA Important?
It is difficult to pinpoint the symptoms of low DHEA, as it is hard to distinguish if these symptoms are a product of either unopposed cortisol or low cortisol. As mentioned earlier, when DHEA is low, either cortisol is too high (relatively speaking) or also low. That being said, the benefits that healthy levels of DHEA, or a healthy cortisol to DHEA ratio, however you want to look at it, can have on the body are numerous. It has been shown to act as a natural anti-depressant, as it helps to decrease high evening cortisol levels, now known to be associated with depression in some individuals. Healthy levels of DHEA, as it is the prehormone for many androgens, has also been associated with healthy fertility. Supplementation and even pharmaceutical medications aimed at supporting fertility help to regulate or increase DHEA levels, which are believed to create healthier embryos, and increase chromosomal strength of eggs, all leading to better chances of a successful and healthy pregnancy.

Research has also shown that healthy levels of DHEA also act to prevent atherosclerosis of the carotid artery in men. Higher levels of DHEA (compared to below normal) in men has also been correlated with a longer life span/greater longevity. DHEA supplements may also be best known for their use in the world of sport medicine and performance enhancement. Studies have shown that low DHEA can impact energy and endurance activities, although there is little research to support its enhancement of lean muscle mass and overall strength with DHEA supplementation. Cholesterol, blood sugar and thyroid hormone can also be negatively impacted if DHEA levels are found to be low.

Restrictions can be a good thing
The fact that DHEA supplements cannot be purchased in Canada may not be all bad. DHEA supplementation should be avoided in women with estrogen dependent breast cancers, as it can lead to an increase in estrogen. Without regulating cortisol levels, DHEA supplementation alone may be doing more harm than good. Again, it is just as important to support a healthy cortisol to DHEA ratio as it is to support healthy DHEA levels alone. Plant sterols, which we are hearing more and more about these days in regards to their cholesterol lowering and prostate protective effects, have also been shown to support a healthy cortisol to DHEA ratio. Plant sterols can be taken as a supplement and have recently been added to many cereal and snack items, such as yogurt and yogurt drinks for individuals who prefer to supplement with food. Any adaptogen that is supporting healthy adrenal function or regulating cortisol levels is also supporting health DHEA levels, this includes rhodiola, relora, ashwaganda, and eleutherococcus. Vitamin C and all the B-vitamins, as well as minerals such as magnesium can also help to support optimal adrenal function and in turn support a healthy cortisol to DHEA ratios.

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