Produced by our adrenal glands, it is a precursor for the manufacturing of many other hormones in the body, 50 of which are from the adrenal glands. Maintaining proper DHEA levels ensures energy, vitality and the natural support of most functions that involve our endocrine system.

DHEA - THE MOTHER OF HORMONES

DHEA is called the mother of hormones by researchers because it is used by the body to manufacture many other hormones, including our sex hormones that are necessary for many body functions. Some of these are well known, such as estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, cortisone and others. They are responsible for the maintenance of many body functions such as fat and mineral metabolism, controlling stress, maintaining male and female characteristics and others. The body produces DHEA and then converts it on demand to these other hormones. In addition, we now know that each of our cells also have DHEA receptors, meaning that DHEA has its own effects as well.

AGING and DHEA

This wonderful substance is abundant in our bodies when we are about 20 years old but continues to decrease with time. At 80 years of age, we usually only produce about 10 to 20% of the amounts when we were in our 20's. Interestingly, the steady declining levels of DHEA in our blood stream as we age matches perfectly the increasing incidence of the killer diseases cancer, heart disease (including atherosclerosis), and Alzheimer's disease.

Much research has shown the major importance of DHEA levels in the prevention of these kinds of disease. For example, a 1988 study at Johns Hopkins showed 50% reduction in arterial plaque in rabbits. A Temple University study showed supplemental DHEA was able to prevent breast cancer in mice that were prone to develop it. The studies also showed the prevention of lung and bowel tumors plus the extension of life span. A study in Guernsey, UK showed women destined to develop breast cancer had low DHEA levels up to nine years previous. Doctors at the Medical College of Virginia showed lower DHEA levels were associated with build up of atherosclerotic plaque and that higher insulin levels from the ingestion of simple carbohydrate caused a reduction of DHEA levels in the body. Maintaining DHEA levels in the body has been shown to be important in improving memory, preventing Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis in post-menopausal women.

A twelve year study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1986 (315,1519-24) reported that of the 242 men aged 50-79 studied: "A 100 microgram per deciliter increase in DHEA sulfate concentration corresponded with a 48% reduction in mortality due to cardiovascular disease and a 36% reduction in mortality for any reason. The natural level of DHEA sulfate was measured and those individuals with higher DHEA sulfate levels lived longer and had much lower risk of heart disease."

DIOSCOREA and DHEA

Thousands of people are now supplementing with a natural herbal substance that provides the nutritional precursors to DHEA. The plant Dioscorea villosa L., commonly called Dioscorea, also known as the Mexican Yam or Wild Yam, contains diosgenin and other precursors that serve as the basis for your body's production of its own DHEA. Other varieties of Dioscorea are also known to be of value. By providing your body with these natural nutritional substances, you can more easily produce DHEA.

ALZHEIMERS DISEASE and DHEA

Dr. C. R. Merrill from the Laboratory of Biochemical Genetics found that DHEA levels in a group of Alzheimer's patients was 48% lower than the control group. Dr. Ward Dean states in his book. Smart Drugs: "DHEA protects brain cells from Alzheimer's disease and other senility-associated degenerative conditions. Nerve degeneration occurs most readily under low DHEA conditions. Brain tissue normally contains 6.5 times more DHEA than is found in the bloodstream in order to protect the brain from aging and damage."

CANCER and DHEA

Tonita d'Raye in the booklet - The Hormone from Heaven writes: "DHEA has been found to improve function and to have significant anti-cancer and anti-tumor effects. A 22-year study on five thousand apparently healthy women showed that women who developed breast cancer had subnormal DHEA levels. Some of these women had low DHEA levels up to nine years before the onset of the disease. Conversely , 100% of the women with higher than average levels of DHEA remained cancer free! Other research shows DHEA blocked breast cancer in rats bred to develop it. Additional studies report DHEA to have a cancer fighting effect on cancers of the colon, liver, thyroid, and skin.

STRESS AND DEPRESSION and DHEA

DHEA is also a precursor of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Every time the body makes these hormones, DHEA levels are depleted! I know only a few people who seem to lead stress free lives. Most people in today's world seem to be megastressed. While we are young, it doesn't appear to have a noticeable effect on our bodies. We bounce back. However, with continual depletion we may risk our very lives. When exposed to chronic stress, DHEA levels may be significantly lowered. "Stress often leads to depression, and has been known to really put 'wear and tear' on the adrenals," says Dr. Neecie Moore in her wonderful book, Bountiful Health, Boundless Energy, Brilliant Youth, The Facts About DHEA. Many studies have directly correlated depression and low DHEA levels. Fortunately studies indicate we can counteract the negative effects of stress hormones and very likely alleviate depression by increasing DHEA in the body.

OBESITY AND INCREASING MUSCLE and DHEA

A study at Temple University's School of Medicine found that elevated levels of DHEA caused weight loss without a change in appetite. Dr. Schwartz, a biochemist at the university, says, "DHEA is a very effective anti-obesity agent." This is not weight loss due the breakdown of lean muscle tissue or fluid loss. Increased DHEA appears to create a stabilizing effect on all body systems. It can help overweight people to lose fat and underweight people to gain weight. Calories convert to heat rather than get stored as fat. Simultaneously, DHEA helps the body to build lean muscle tissue. Dr. Vincent Glanpapa states in an article in Muscle Magazine, "DHEA has been demonstrated to be beneficial in increasing muscle size while reducing fat."

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE and DHEA

When DHEA levels decrease, the enzyme system accelerates, increasing production of both fatty acids and cholesterol. This promotes obesity and arteriosclerosis. In one study at Johns Hopkins Department of Medicine, rabbits with severe hardening of the arteries had an almost 50% reduction of arterial plaque when treated with DHEA. Elizabeth Barret Conner, M.D., from the University of California School of Medicine, found a 48% reduction in cardiovascular disease and a 35% reduction in mortality from any cause. She correlated this to increases in DHEA sulfate blood levels found in a group of men over 50 she tracked for 12 years. Dr. Conner concluded that "DHEA seems to protect people against early death from any cause."

HIV & AIDS and DHEA

Dr. William Regelson, perhaps one of the world's leading DHEA experts states: "People with HIV viruses do not suffer from full-blown AIDS until their adrenal output of DHEA drops." The fall of DHEA levels signifies the onset of AIDS." A study done at the Houston Immuno Institute in Texas found that the majority of AIDS patients on DHEA and adjunct therapy experienced significant increases in both CD4 and CD8 counts. An increase in CD8 count reportedly equates to long term survival.

BONE LOSS and DHEA

In his book, Reversing Osteoporosis, Dr. Alan Gaby cites a strong association between low DHEA levels and bone loss in post-menopausal women.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS and DHEA

A study by Dr. Eugene Roberts reveals that DHEA raised levels of energy, endurance, limb power, strength, and agility in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, a disease affecting the central nervous system.

DIABETES and DHEA

The third leading cause of death in the United States is diabetes. Diabetics are 250 times more likely to suffer strokes and over half of diabetics have heart disease. A study conducted using diabetic mice showed an increase in their sensitivity to insulin. The same study revealed that early preventative DHEA treatment prevented the development of most diabetic symptoms.

WEIGHT CONTROL and DHEA

One of the most exciting benefits of DHEA is its ability to burn fat and help you lose weight plus keep it off by burning fat and helping to build muscle.

DHEA's ability to facilitate this burning of fat may become one of the most significant finds in weight control of this century. This effect does not seem to be so diet dependent as are other weight control supplements. No matter what you eat, DHEA still provides benefits of weight loss. Of course, dietary modification, exercise and lifestyle are important for controlling weight. However, it is exciting to be able to obtain benefits from such a fantastic natural substance, and at whatever level of commitment you choose to make.

One of the most exciting benefits of DHEA is its ability to burn fat and help keep it off by converting fat to muscle. It is a "Thermogenic" substance because it helps burn calories for energy rather than store them as fat.

Dr. A. Schwartz, a researcher at Temple University, has now proven beyond question, DHEA's effectiveness in weight control. DHEA's ability to block an enzyme named G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase) may be one of the most significant finds of the century. This enzyme is not only essential for fat tissue production but also promotes cancer cell growth. By blocking it, DHEA's action of reducing body fat and helping to prevent against cancer may be explained. DHEA's weight control effect does not seem to be so diet dependent. No matter what you eat, DHEA still has benefits of weight loss. Of course, dietary modification, exercise and lifestyle are important in weight control, but it is exciting to obtain benefits of such a fantastic natural substance at whatever level of commitment you want to make.

To learn more about your DHEA level, and other hormones, call 883-0115 or 866-883-0115 and schedule your free consultation with Dr. Hoover.