DHEA – Its Role in Health and Aging

Published on: January 15, 2012

What is DHEA?

DHEA or dehydroepiandrosterone is a hormone made by the human body which is secreted by the adrenal gland. The body has two adrenal glands, located on top of each kidney. Although it is an androgen, it is produced by both males and females.

DHEA production is at its peak in your twenties. As you reach your 30s, the levels of DHEA in the body begin to decrease. DHEA was found to slow down or reverse aging. It is also used to slow down the progress of Alzheimer’s disease and improve thinking abilities in older people. DHEA levels were also noted to be lower in individuals with depression.

Other uses of DHEA are for weight loss and for enhancing the immune system of the body. It has also been found to ease symptoms associated with menopause.

DHEA supplements are made from plant chemical. They work by regulating the immune system. Most DHEA supplements produced in laboratories are extracted from wild yams or diosgenin plant sterol. But these so called natural extracts cannot be converted by the body into DHEA. So it is best to look at the labels of supplements and look for DHEA rather than wild yam extract or diosgenin.

Since DHEA levels seem to decline as people get older, some researchers suggest that replacing DHEA with supplements might prevent certain diseases and conditions as well as in managing symptoms associated with aging.

A deficiency in vitamin B12 is also associated with symptoms linked to the aging process. With age, the ability of the body to absorb B12 from food decreases. This results to peripheral neuropathy, which is tingling or numbness of the legs.

A supplement such as NeuRx contains DHEA, vitamin B12, as well as alpha lipoic acid to improve the general condition of the nerves in the body.

For more information on DHEA supplement with vitamin B12 and alpha lipoic acid, visit www.drlamlabs.com