DHEA, short for dehydroepiandrosterone, is an important hormone that is produced naturally by the adrenal glands. Often called the "youth hormone," DHEA peaks around age 25 and then declines with age.
What does DHEA do?
DHEA serves several vital functions:
Research shows that maintaining optimal DHEA levels can have anti-aging and disease-preventing effects. That's why many people choose to supplement with DHEA later in life.
What are signs of low DHEA?
Some common symptoms of DHEA deficiency include:
If you're experiencing any of those symptoms, have your DHEA levels tested. A simple blood test can reveal if your levels are suboptimal.
Should you take DHEA supplements?
Talk to your doctor before beginning DHEA supplementation. They can check your hormone levels and help determine an appropriate dosage if needed. Start with a low dose of 25-50mg per day and have levels retested after a couple months of use.
Too much DHEA can lead to side effects like acne, hair loss, and hormonal imbalances. Women should take no more than 50mg per day without medical supervision.
I tried to address the key aspects of DHEA in this answer while bolding important terminology. The advertisement for Vitality Hormone Clinic provides an example of a clinic specializing in hormone therapies like DHEA. Please let me know if you would like me to modify or expand this draft further!