Is DHEA Effective and Safe for Weight Loss?

Noticed DHEA in your favorite diet supplement? Or probably you always come across this agent online claiming that it can help you lose weight fast.

Well, this compound is just one of hundreds of slimming agents online that promises weight loss. This include yohimbe, deer antler velvet, ephedra and guarana extract.

So can DHEA truly deliver weight loss for you? Is it safe to use and side effects free? Read on and learn why we don’t recommend DHEA for your weight loss program.

What is DHEA?

DHEA or also known as prasterone (dehydroepiandrosterone), is a naturally occurring steroid hormone used as a dietary supplement and medication.

This compound is produced by the adrenal glands, so if you have adrenal insufficiency such as Addison’s disease, you are likely deficient of this compound.

DHEA deficiency is also common in older people as this steroid decreases throughout life. This is the reason why prasterone is highly used by elderly individuals to increase their hormone levels.

But this steroid compound is mostly used in weight loss and bodybuilding supplements because it has the ability to improve physical performance and energy levels.

This steroid hormone is also used to help improve cognitive functions, focus, memory and helps fight brain disorders such as depression, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

Other benefits include treatment of sexual dysfunctions, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, aging skin, fatigue, cancers, diabetes, psoriasis, infertility, metabolic syndrome and many others.

How does DHEA Work?

As mentioned above, DHEA is produced by the adrenal glands near your kidneys and in the liver. This steroid is secreted by the testes in men.

It is then converted into a hormone called androstenedione in the body, which is then changed into a variety of major male and female hormones such as testosterone or estrogen.

Levels of this hormone reach their highest concentrations when you’re about 20 years old but the levels slowly decrease as you get older.

DHEA also helps stimulate insulin growth factors, reduce cardiovascular disease risks, enhances mental function and reduces oxidative stress.

Since this is a precursor to other hormones, it can influence various aspects of your well-being and sexual function especially in women.

Individuals who suffer from chronic diseases such as cancers, heart problems, lung disorders, mental issues, fatigue syndrome and many others all have below-normal hormonal levels.

This is the reason why this steroidal hormone is used to help promote weight loss and fight obesity, which is one of the primary causes of other diseases.

But these benefits are not yet conclusively proven by scientific research. So this hormone isn’t medically proven effective for treating the said conditions.

How Much Dose is Accepted?

DHEA is available in synthetic form in dietary supplements. Different dosages are used by manufacturers and common amount ranges from 5mg to 15mg for women and 10mg to 30mg for men.

Supplements may come from capsules, tablets, chewing gum, drops or topical creams. Typical recommended dosages for this hormone include 50mg per day for men and 25 or 50mg for women.

Some popular DHEA supplements include Lipo Elite, Troxyphen or DecaSlim.

However, you need to ask your doctor first before taking DHEA. Why? Read on.

Possible DHEA Side Effects

Experts doesn’t recommend DHEA for long term use or in high doses such as 50 to 100mg per day. Using higher doses and using for a long time period increases your chances of side effects.

This steroid hormone can trigger side effects such as aggressiveness, irritability, trouble sleeping, low good cholesterol levels, acne, heart issues, hair loss and even cancers.

There are more risks reported online, though all of these side effects are also not conclusively proven in scientific studies.

Still, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, suffering from hormone-sensitive conditions, liver problems, diabetes, depression, mood disorders or cholesterol problems, don’t take any pill containing this hormone.

You are encouraged to consult your doctor first before you take this compound.

So Can DHEA Help You Lose Weight?

Well, there are studies that showed positive effects with regards to weight loss and there are also reports that DHEA can trigger side effects.

The good thing is that, this hormone is not completely studied for its true slimming effects and for its possible adverse health effects.

However, most dieters believe that DHEA do support weight loss especially if combined with other supplement agents.

Adverse health effect reports are not proven though it is wisely to consider them as possible reactions rather than completely ignoring them.

So yes, DHEA can help you lose weight though you still have to consider the possible side effects that you might experience.