DHEA is a hormone that does a lot in the body – including influencing muscle mass and weight.
This quick article examines just one aspect of DHEA: how it affects our weight. But the genetic variants included here also impact other impacts of DHEA in the body.
DHEA and Weight Loss
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is one of our body’s most abundantly produced steroid hormones. It is secreted by the adrenal glands, gonads, and the brain. DHEA acts as both a precursor hormone to testosterone and DHT and as a neurotransmitter.
Like other hormones, we tend to produce less of it with age, with the production of DHEA peaking around age 25 – 30.
How does DHEA impact weight loss?
Among its many other functions, DHEA is involved in lipid (fat) breakdown and building lean muscle.
Some studies have shown that DHEA reduces fat accumulation in animals fed a high-fat, weight-increasing diet. A June 2016 study concluded, “Our results showed that long-term DHEA administration decreased body weight in rats on a high-fat diet.”
The study goes on to discuss the pathways involved with DHEA, explaining that DHEA supplements may be decreasing gluconeogenesis (the creation of glucose from protein). DHEA has also been shown to increase the absorption of glucose into several types of cells.[ref]
A small study in 2012 looked at the effect of DHEA-S (100mg/day) on women in regard to weight loss. The women on DHEA-S did have weight loss, and those who were post-menopausal also had better results on their metabolic syndrome scores.[ref]
Another study explains that “Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) exerts a wide variety of therapeutic effects against medical disorders, such as diabetes and obesity.” The mice in the study were genetically modified to increase DHEA molecular targets, and the study results showed the modified mice weighed significantly less while eating the same high-fat diet.[ref]
More is not always better…
While it may sound like a great hormone to supplement with, you may want to be cautious.
Too much DHEA, whether naturally or through supplements, can cause side effects, including facial hair and lowered voice in women.
Higher DHEA levels are linked to PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) in women. In fact, to create an animal model of PCOS, researchers simply give the animals a little too much DHEA.[ref]
Testing your levels: DHEA vs DHEAS
When it comes to lab tests to see what your DHEA levels are, you are likely to see DHEAS, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, instead of DHEA.
DHEAS is the inactive precursor to DHEA, which is then converted into androgens and estrogens. DHEAS concentrations are more stable and easier to measure accurately using blood tests.
DHEA and DHEAS Genotype Report:
Studies on twins and siblings show that DHEAS levels are about 60% heritable. Thus, while genetics plays a big role in DHEA and DHEAS levels, lifestyle and diet also are important here.
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Cautions:
DHEA is a banned supplement for NCAA college athletes.
While DHEA is a natural substance, I would encourage serious caution (definitely talk to a doctor!) with using DHEA if you are young, pregnant, breastfeeding, or being treated for hormone-related cancer.
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