By Johann Erickson
DHEA or dehydroepiandrosterone is a steroid hormone touted as awonder supplement that can improve your overall health. Thehormone claims to melt away fat, as well as slow down the agingprocess and improve the memory of its users. Ultimately, DHEA isconverted in the body into estrogen and androgen, the male andfemale sex hormones. All of the benefits of the supplement arein the end merely the effects of those two hormones.
Asyour hormone levels decrease with age, you are more prone toillness, show more age, and have a decreased sex drive. Byincreasing a decreasing level of hormones in your body DHEA canin effect slow down the aging process, and help your bodymaintain itself as it did during your younger years.
Studies in mice and rats showed DHEA as an effect weight losssupplement, however no study as of yet with humans has shown thesame results. Although DHEA has an effect on many who take it,that effect changes depending on the user.
Whoshould take DHEA supplements? DHEA is a naturallyoccurring hormone in the body, taking DHEA as a nutritionalsupplement should only be necessary later in life when yourlevels of the hormone have naturally decreased. Your bodynaturally produces DHEA, with levels peeking in early adulthoodand then gradually decreasing there after. DHEA supplements,when recommended are generally not recommended for those underthe age of fifty. Before you start taking DHEA visit yourphysician and determine what the current level of DHEA is inyour system. Those with particularly low levels of DHEA existingin their system can benefit more from taking DHEA supplements.Those who already have enough DHEA however can cause themselvesmore damage then good with taking supplements.
Whatare the negative effects of DHEA? DHEA alters thehormone levels in your body. If you are currently being treatedfor a hormone related cancer such as breast or prostate cancer,then it may not be a good ides for you to start taking DHEA.DHEA has also been known to cause skin problems, increasedfacial hair growth inn women, and mood swings. By addingadditional hormones into your system you are altering the wayyour body works, which can sometimes cause negative effects.
Where can I get DHEA?
Before beginning to take an newsupplement be sure to consult your doctor and make sure thatDHEA supplements are right for you. If you already have a goodlevel of DHEA in your body, then taking the hormone, or takingtoo much of it can cause negative effects your body, that may bepermanent. As with taking any supplement, it is better to besafe and consult your doctor, than to take the wrong dosage andbe sorry later on.
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