Product Type:

Nutraceutical

Properties:

Anti-aging, Aphrodisiac and Glandular

Systems Affected:

Adrenal Cortex, Cortisol, Estrogen, Female Reproductive System, Male Reproductive System and Testosterone

Conditions:

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, Aging, Hyperplasia, Erectile Dysfunction, Estrogen (low), Lupus, Pregnancy (herbs and supplements to avoid during), and Testosterone (low)

The adrenal glands produce numerous hormones, but the most abundant hormone they produce is DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). Small amounts of DHEA are also made in the brain. DHEA is a building block for other hormones, including androgens (male hormones such as testosterone) and estrogens. It is also a precursor to cortisol, a stress hormone that also reduces inflammation. DHEA levels tend to drop as we age, leading to ideas that enhancing DHEA levels may help counteract aging, While hard evidence is lacking for this claim, DHEA has shown to be helpful as a supplement in certain conditions. For starters, DHEA may help a person lose weight by suppressing appetite and helping to build muscle.

DHEA has been shown to improve immune function. Low levels are associated with increased cancer risk. For instance, DHEA supplements have been helpful for some people with lupus, an autoimmune condition. This may be because it enhances production of cortisol, a hormone that controls chronic inflammation. Since DHEA is used to make sex hormones (androgens and estrogens), it is often used to increase sex drive, overcome impotence in men and aid symptoms of menopause. This means it can also enhance mood and a sense of well-being.

Taking a hormone like DHEA as a supplement, however, should be done carefully. When you supplement with a hormone, you tend to lower the body’s own production of that hormone, so DHEA should only be taken for short periods of time. Small doses are best because hormones are very potent substances and getting too much of a particular hormone can be just as bad as getting too little. For this reason, it may be a good idea to have hormone levels tested before taking DHEA supplements.

DHEA-F is a blend that contains 25 mg. pf DHEA in a base of herbs, designed to support he production of estrogen in the body and to aid menopausal symptoms and other female problems. Take 1 capsule a day with a meal.

Warnings:

Because DHEA is a naturally occurring hormone, long-term supplementation may alter the body’s ability to produce sufficient amounts of it on its own. DHEA is best used for short-term treatment hormone imbalance. Excessive levels of DHEA can cause acne and hormonal imbalances like those found in teenagers. It’s best to get your hormones tested to determine if you actually need DHEA before taking it for any length of time. DHEA should not be taken by children, teenagers, pregnant women or nursing mothers. It should b avoided by people with reproductive cancers, such as prostate or uterine cancer. High levels of DHEA have been reported to cause symptoms of hypothyroidism, heart palpitations and arrhythmia.