iThei mdcdaelcinfd o c elllllrllll ThofthThseDHEA
DHEA supplementation increases stress tolerance, lowers the cortisol/
DHEA ratio, and protects against cortisol-induced cellular damage.
DHEA supplementation has been found to extend the lifespan of ani-
mals and has shown promise in treating a variety of conditions, including
adrenal insufficiency.
Unlike pregnenolone, DHEA does not turn into aldosterone, so it will
not cause fluid retention—but it may get converted into testosterone.
DHEA stimulates hair follicles and oil glands, so it may cause acne or
facial hair growth in women. (Teenage acne has recently been connected
to a DHEA rise that takes place near puberty.)
Additionally, some people may become more irritable and perhaps even
more aggressive due to the testosterone conversion. These side effects
should go away with dose reduction or discontinuation.
An active metabolite of DHEA, 7-Keto cannot be converted into testos-
terone, so some professionals prefer to use the 7-Keto version of DHEA
to minimize side effects.
While yam extracts containing diosgenin are touted as natural sources
of DHEA this form of DHEA is not bioavailable to humans. We cannot
convert diosgenin from yams to active DHEA in our bodies.
DHEA levels should be tested prior to supplementing. Testing is covered
by most insurance companies if ordered by a physician.
The recommended daily dose range is 10–50 mg for women and 25–
100 mg for men. (Women need less DHEA than men.) Starting low
and slowly increasing should always be your approach, however. Some
professionals give women even less DHEA—as low as 2–5 mg a day.
DHEA should be supplemented until the levels reach those of a 30-year-
old of the same gender: 200 and 300 micrograms per deciliter of blood
for women and 300 and 400 micrograms per deciliter of blood for men.
Topical Magnesium Therapy
According to Dr. Norm Shelley, MD, PhD, using topical magnesium oil
can increase DHEA levels in as few as four to five weeks without having to
take an oral DHEA supplement. Many of us are deficient in magnesium,
and oral supplementation is not always a reliable way to increase levels.
Using magnesium may be inappropriate for those with impaired kidney