What exactly is DHEA?"DHEA is the abbreviation for Dehydroepiandrosterone. It is produced by the adrenal glands. In the body, it is converted to testosterone and estrogen. Production peaks at about age 25, declining steadily after that. By age 85, it's down about 95%.

Why take it? Advocates claim that DHEA supplements can improve mood, increase energy and libido, counteract stress hormones, preserve muscle, strengthen the immune system, and prevent cancer and heart disease.

Is it safe?According to USA Today, "Short-term use at moderate doses - 25-50 mg a day should pose no problems. 'There’s a right dose for every medication. When the dose is exceeded, side effects occur. It’s the same with DHEA. When low doses are used, people feel well-being."

Are there any side-effects?USA Today says, "When [a moderate dose] is exceeded there can be oiliness of skin, pimples can come. Women may notice fine facial hair. There can be irritabliity or mood changes and aggressiveness. Many of these are androgenic or testosterone-type effects, male-like effects. They are quickly reversed upon stopping or reducing the dose.'" It is also possible that high levels of DHEA may be related to hair loss in men

How is DHEAS different from DHEA?"When DHEA is metabolized, a chemical called 'sulfate' is added. Sulfate consists of the mineral sulphur combined with oxygen. Thus DHEAS stands for DHEA-sulphate. DHEA is mostly made in the morning hours. Its levels decline fairly rapidly the day because it is quickly cleared by the kidneys. However, DHEAS is cleared much more slowly and blood levels remain much more stable throughout the day. About 90% of this steroid in the blood is in the DHEAS form; the rest circulates as DHEA. That is why, when researchers want to assess blood levels for DHEA, they often measure DHEAS levels. When you take DHEA supplements, some with circulate in your blood stream as DHEA, but most of it will be sulfated by your liver to circulate as DHEAS." (DHEA: A Practicle Guide, p. 8 )

Will taking DHEA supplements suppress my adrenal gland's natural DHEA production?Usually most steroids do tell the body to manufacture less, when hormonal levels get too high. "Fortunately, DHEA appears to be one of the exceptions... DHEA supplements, except in very high doses are not likely to stop our body's own production, although there are no long-term human studies to confirm this." (ibid, p.9)

How are DHEA supplements made?"The DHEA pills that you buy are made by vitamin and pharmaceutical companies. They extract sterols from wild yams, the most common sterol being diosgenin. After cleaving a few side chains from diosgenin in the laboratory, DHEA is producted." (ibid, p.9)

[Note: WorldWide Labs' DHEA is produced in this manner, i.e. it is pharmaceutical grade DHEA.]

What is pharmacy grade DHEA?Synthetic or pharmacy grade DHEA is produced from pharmaceutical grade ingredients. This form is molecularly identical to the DHEA that we produce in our own bodies, without unwanted extras (e.g. WorldWide Labs' DHEA).

Will natural yam ("precursors") extract pills increase my DHEA levels?Although most DHEA supplements sold "are produced in a laboratory from diosgenin, some vitamin companies do sell extracts of wild yams in pill form, without first processing it into DHEA. Some even promote these yam-extract products as 'DHEA precursor complexes' or 'natural DHEA.' [Quoting Dr. Seymour Lieberman of St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York] 'Consequently it is highly unlikely, perhaps impossible is a better word, that the ingestion of extracts of the Dioscorea plant will lead to the formation, by metobolic transformation of the relevant plant consitituent, to either pregnenolone or DHEA.' "In a word, Dr. Lieberman means 'No.'" (ibid, p.10)

When should a dosage be administered?"The adrenal gland makes lots of DHEA in the early morning production drops dramatically throughout the day. Most doctors recommend taking DHEA in the morning to act in concert with this natural circadian pattern. ...a high evening dosing can cause insomnia." (ibid, p.86)

What is the best dosage?"I feel that 5 to 10 mg is a good starting dose.... Of course, much depends on your initial DHEAS levels, along with your unique rate of absorptionand metabolism, and, of course, the advice of your health care provider. If, after a week or so, you do not feel any effects, your health care provider may recommend that you increase your dose by another 5 to 10 mg. This increase can continue weekly until the appropriate effect is seen or adequate blood levels have been reached." (ibid, p.86)

[Note: WorldWide Labs' DHEA comes in 25 mg doses, which can be broken in half for initial doses.]

Should DHEA be taken with a meal? Yes. "Since DHEA is fat-soluble, it is better absorbed with a meal." (ibid, p.86)

Should DHEA be taken with another product? Yes. It is recommended that a strong antioxydant is also taken at the same time when DHEA is taken. Pine Bark Extract is one of the most powerful antioxydants 

Will DHEA boost my sex drive?"There is no doubt that DHEA does boost sex drive, especially in those who have low DHEAS levels to start with." (ibid, p.107)

Will DHEA enhance my energy, mood and memory?"Again, there is little doubt that this hormone can increase energy and improve well-being. As to memory, this is still not clear, although some users notice clearer thinking." (ibid, p.107)

Will DHEA improve my immune system?"There is good evidence that DHEA improves the immune systems in older individuals in the short-term studies that have been done thus far. However, we don't know whether the benefits will continue in the long run." (ibid, p.107)

Will DHEA help me lose weight?"It is unlikely that low doses used as hormone replacement will help you lose weight. However, DHEA could potentially be combined with other weight-loss medicines and nutrients to have a synergistic effect." (ibid, p.107)

Will DHEA make me more muscular?"There is a slight potential that this could occur. At this point, though, I do not recommend DHEA's regular use in high doses, such as 100 mg or more, as has been suggested by some body builders." (ibid, p.108)

Can DHEA help with autoimmune disorders?"DHEA has been found to be useful in lupus and early studies indicate that it has a role to play in other autoimmune conditions." (ibid, p.108)

Can DHEA cure cancer?"There is very little published research on humans in this area and it is hard to make any accurate predictions." (ibid, p.108)

Can DHEA help with heart disease?"We may eventually find that this steroid has a role in preventing or treating heart disease in combination with other cardiovascular-improving supplements and diets. (ibid, p.107)

Will DHEA prevent osteoporosis?"Since DHEA gets converted into both estrogens and androgens, it has the potential to influence bone formation, leading to stronger bones." (ibid, p.108)

Will DHEA reduce the effects of aging?"Researchers have varying opinions about whether DHEA supplementation can influence aging. In my opinion, this hormone can help us live longer; however it will take us many more years to find the idea dosages and learn which population group can most benefit." (ibid, p.108)