DHEA

The principle
DHEA (or dehydroepiandrosterone) is a "hormone involved in the manufacture of sex hormones. But it seems that people who have a higher rate of sex are more vital, have better bone density and more acute cognitive abilities. A link is thought to exist. between aging and the DHEA rate, as it decreases from the age of 30.
The effectiveness of this hormone is debatable. Several studies have made it possible to demonstrate its beneficial effects on memory, bone density, muscle mass, depression, skin ... in mice, but not in men, except perhaps women over 70 years of age. However, the efficacy of DHEA in diseases associated with aging has not yet been demonstrated.

Practically
The use of DHEA is not recommended until its effectiveness in the fight against aging has been established.
Presented in the form of capsules or tablets of 10, 25 or 50 mg, DHEA is usually taken in the morning, at breakfast.
DHEA is produced from a plant steriode, diosgenin. Products that "naturally" stimulate the production of DHEA have no legitimacy since the body does not have the enzymes necessary to carry out the transformation.
The efficacy of DHEA-based creams has not been proven by any research.

Where is it sold?
- DHEA is sold in the United States as a dietary supplement in health food stores.
- In France the legal confusion is great: paradoxically, it is forbidden to import DHEA in pre-packaged tablets, but not the raw material. Doctors can prescribe DHEa, although the French medical order advises against doing so, and pharmacists can prepare and sell DHEA pills, without any official supervision, as a galenic product ...
In short, DHEA remains a product without a defined statute.
- DHEA is also sold illegally, on the Internet.

Risks
- If there have been any cases of breast, uterus or prostate cancer in the family, the use of DHEA is strictly prohibited.
- Taking DHEA can stimulate the development of hormone-dependent tumors (prostate, breast, uterus).
- The cardiovascular risk linked to the decrease in HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol) must not be neglected.
- In menopausal women, hormone replacement therapies should not be abandoned in favor of a DHEA treatment, with uncertain effects. The two treatments must not be combined, to avoid an overdose of estrogen.