D–F

dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) A steroid HOR-
MONEthat occurs naturally in the body. It serves as
a precursor primarily to estrogen in women and
TESTOSTERONEin men, though women also convert
small amounts to testosterone and men convert
small amounts to estrogen. Levels of endogenous
DHEA gradually diminish with aging. As a supple-
ment, DHEA provides a similar source to the body
for these hormones. DHEA is available without a
doctor’s prescription in the United States, mar-
keted as a dietary supplement sold mostly in
health food stores.
People take DHEA supplement for numerous
and diverse uses such as to increase libido, reduce
the effects of aging, boost immune function, pre-
vent OSTEOPOROSIS, relieve symptoms associated
with FIBROMYALGIAand SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATO-
SUS (SLE), and prevent degenerative diseases
related to aging such as CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
(CVD). There is scant clinical evidence to support
any of these uses, and doctors worry that increas-
ing the body’s levels of sex hormones may
increase the risk for hormone-driven BREAST CAN-
CERand PROSTATE CANCER. There is some evidence
that long-term DHEA use damages the LIVER.
Though DHEA is an over-the-counter dietary
supplement in the United States, doctors encour-
age people to obtain blood tests to measure their
levels of estrogen or testosterone before taking
DHEA. The greatest risk for adverse health cir-
cumstances occurs when products such as DHEA
increase estrogen or testosterone blood levels to
higher than normal. Researchers believe this make
increase the risk for some cancers, although again
clinical evidence is lacking. Health experts recom-
mend that people under age 50 do not take DHEA
unless a doctor prescribes it to treat conditions in
which endogenous DHEA levels are low.

DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE (DHEA)

Uses Risks/Side Effects Interactions

FIBROMYALGIA acne flareups none known

SYSTEMIC LUPUS mood swings

ERYTHEMATOSUS(SLE) LIVERdamage

mental alertness in

aging

slow OSTEOPOROSIS

See also ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY; ANABOLIC

STEROIDS AND STEROID PRECURSORS; HUMAN GROWTH

HORMONE(HGH) SUPPLEMENT; MELATONIN.

dong quai An ancient remedy for relieving men-

strual and menopausal discomforts. It contains

phytoestrogens, which are estrogen-like chemicals

that are much weaker than those the human body

produces though are nonetheless capable of bind-

ing with estrogen receptors. Researchers do not

know the extent to which dong quai’s phytoestro-

gens have any effect in the body, however,

because dong quai contains other active ingredi-

ents and often appears in combination with other

herbs. Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) also contains

coumarins, chemicals that cause smooth MUSCLE

tissue to relax. This effect dilates blood vessels,

increasing blood flow. It also acts to relax the

UTERUS, which is also smooth muscle tissue. Many

health experts believe coumarins are responsible

for most of dong quai’s effects. Dong quai is sold

as an over-the-counter dietary supplement in the

United States.

Dong quai also contains psoralens, chemicals

that interact in the SKINwhen exposed to sunlight.

Psoralens intensify the effects of ultraviolet light

with the result of unusually rapid and severe SUN-

BURN. Women should limit sun exposure when

taking dong quai. Dong quai also may interact

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