Understanding DHEA and its side-effects

Many of us know the name DHEA but have no idea that it stands for dehydroepiandrosterone. DHEA is a hormone. There are quite a few hormones in the human body but we’re more familiar with testosterone and estrogen. A hormone is a organic compound that the body uses to regulate different organs. One hormone usually does more than one task in the body. Hormones are essential.

How does DHEA fit into the picture?

There are 3 main types of hormones from the chemical perspective. DHEA falls under the second type, within the family of steroid hormones like testosterone. It is said that the main function of DHEA is to act as a hormone precursor to more potent hormones like testosterone.

So what does DHEA do?

According to some, DHEA which is produced by the adrenal glands of the body can have certain benefits when taken as a dietary supplement. Men and women both use DHEA for differing reasons. Men who are trying to buff up take inordinate amounts of it. Supplements claim it helps slow aging, build muscle, increase libido and the like. There is little research to support the benefits of DHEA supplements. If they work for you, that’s good but I’d recommend running it by your family physician first because actions have consequences and most supplements have side-effects.

The Side-effects

The claims made by DHEA supplements are not regulated and can be unsupported by research. Moreover, DHEA interacts with a lot of medication and that’s why asking your doctor before you start taking it is so vital. Some of the side-effects people feel are:

1.      Hair loss or facial hair in women

2.      Increased risk of various cancers

3.      Tiredness

4.       Oily skin and acne, as well as skin thickening

5.      Increased blood pressure and palpitations

6.      Fluctuating levels of cholesterol

While many athletes think that DHEA works, it’s a serious gamble because along with not helping, it might end up doing more damage. It affects the mind and the body and while it has been found to be helpful in relieving mild depression to some extent, unrestricted use of DHEA can actually cause stronger mood swings. Some side-effects are permanent.

Alternatives:

If you’re looking for a supplement that helps to naturally boost your libido or help you increase some muscle mass, try researching natural testosterone supplements like Ageless Male. They contain ingredients found in nature that boost the levels of testosterone in your body. The positives of this supplementation are that you will not be drowning your body with ready-made hormones and there are few side-effects because it is natural. The testimonials of Ageless Male and other supplements clearly show its efficacy.

            Since there is so much doubt surrounding the use of DHEA as a supplement, we should be careful and advice other to be careful while taking any hormone as a supplement. Men and women should research natural supplements that help increase the body’s natural hormone production which is much safer in the long run.