DHEA: An Often-Overlooked Anti-Aging Supplement
- by Nils Osmar. June 12, 2024
- This post is not intended as, and should not be taken as, medical advice.
- See full Medical Disclaimer
Many compounds found in food, and available as nutritional supplements, have been found to have an impact on health and longevity.
When it comes to longevity, a pharmaceutical drug called rapamycin is generally considered to be the gold standard. (It has increased lifespan in a wide range of studies in many different animals.) There’s less evidence that AKG, fucoidan, taurine and GlyNAC significantly increase lifespan, but for reversing the other hallmarks of aging, they are also promising.
Some studies suggest that DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone), a hormone that’s produced in the adrenal gland, may be as important or more important than many better-known compounds. Some recent studies have found an association between DHEA levels in the body and longer lifespan in animals. Other studies have found that increasing our levels make a profound, immediate difference in several biomarkers of aging.
DHEA is a pro-hormone, so it typically would not be available as a supplement, but because it’s also found, albeit in small quantities, in some foods, it is allowed to be sold over the counter in the United States.
Animal studies: Higher DHEA correlates with longer life
In primates, blood levels of DHEA correlate with longevity. (The more DHEA, the longer the animals live)
Study 1: “Beyond Glucocorticoids: Integrating Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) into Animal Welfare Research“
From the study:
There is evidence that the ratio of glucocorticoids:DHEA(S) may serve as an indicator of immune function, mental health, cognitive performance and overall welfare.
In humans, lower levels of DHEA are predictive of earlier death. One study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that men with lower levels of DHEA-S in their bloodstreams were more likely to die from cardiovascular causes than those with higher levels, and that an increase of 100 ug/dL in DHEA-S reduced the risk of death from any cause by 36%.
Study 2: Relationships of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in the elderly with functional, psychological, and mental status, and short-term mortality: A French community-based study
From the study: Controlling for age, levels of DHEAS were significantly lower in women who had IADL limitation, who were confined to bed or home, or who presented dyspnea. Such a decrease was also observed when women scored themselves in poor health or with no life satisfaction. As assessed with the CES-D scale, the presence of depressive symptomatology was associated with low levels of DHEAS. (My note: IADL stands for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, which are more complex skills that people need to live independently.)
My experience
I take DHEA along with several other supplements to keep my testosterone levels high. When I take more, my testosterone increases. I’ve tried taking 25 mg; 50 mg, 75 mg; and 100 mg in the past. (I’m currently taking 100.) I also take breaks from it now and then
Getting tested
If you’re taking DHEA, it can be wise to get your levels of the metabolite DHEA-S tested. I’ve been testing mine for years. They correspond well to the amount of DHEA that I’m taking.
Initially I was trying to land my DHEA at “a good level for my age”. I’ve stopped doing so, and am now aiming to have them correspond with the DHEA levels of a young athletic male.
DHEA can increase levels of both testosterone and estrogen, so it’s important to test to make sure it’s having the effect you want. (In my case, it’s increased testosterone without raising estrogen, which is the effect I want.) For more about my approach to optimizing my hormones with supplements, see this article.
For young women, “normal” DHEA levels can range from 45 to 320 micrograms per deciliter. (The folks at LifeExtension regard the higher end as better.) For young men, the range is 110 to 510 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL I’m aiming to be up around 450 myself. (The last time I tested, my level of DHEA-S was in the high 300s.)
DHEA and cancer
As with any supplement, it’s good to do some research into side effects before taking DHEA.
Some early studies suggested that higher levels of DHEA may increase the risk of prostate cancer. Other studies suggest that it may actually have a protective effect. This study examines both possibilities.
Re: breast cancer, it appears to inhibit some cells lines but stimulate the growth of others:
“DHEA and DHEAS inhibit growth of some breast cancer cell lines while stimulating growth in others (2); DHEA can directly activate estrogen receptor α (ER-α) expression in MCF7 breast cancer cell lines (3).”
Other side effects
Another possible issue is an increase in irritability. I experienced this years ago when I started taking it, though it hasn’t been an issue for years. Those with bipolar disorder also want to be cautious, as some studies suggest it may cause an increase in manic episodes. See this article.
DHEA can cause some unwanted side effect in women such as deepening of the voice and facial hair growth. So most women I know who use it, do so carefully and judiciously.
Not medical advice
This article is not intended as, and should not be taken as, medical advice. I’m not advising that people eat any particular diet or take any particular supplement(s), just reporting on what I’m doing. Supplements, like medications and other interventions, can have side effects; I would encourage people to research both possible benefits and side effects before starting on any supplementation regimen, and consult with a medical professional about any issues which might have a medical component. See full Medical Disclaimer
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More from Nils Osmar
- Anti-Aging Youtube channel Pathways to Longevity
- Anti-Aging Facebook group: Anti-Aging and Life Extension
- Rekindle School classes in Seattle: Rekindl.e School
- My personal website: My articles, art and more: Nilsosmar.com
- Exploring possible consciousness in Claude.AI and other LLMs: AI Consciousness
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