DHEA is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland. DHEA is the precursor of estrogen and testosterone. From DHEA, the body makes testosterone (which controls the development of male characteristics in humans) and estrogen (which controls the development of female characteristics in humans.) Currently, there is debate among scientists on whether DHEA impacts age longevity. Additionally, there are studies which suggest that DHEA may be effective in treating depression.
The University of Colorado School of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, conducted a study published in 2006 on the relationship between DHEA and individuals over 60 years of age. DHEA is produced by the body in abundance in young people; however, the hormone decreases with age. The study found that the DHEA level in the older test group was at 15% compared to the levels of younger men and women. This is a decrease in DHEA by 85% in individuals over 60. The study followed with a 50mg dose of DHEA which brought the levels to the normal range. After a year of this dosage, there was an improvement in bone mineral density in older adults and spine bone mineral density in older women.
In the American Journal of Human Biology, Benjamin Campbell from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee wrote on DHEA in 2011. Based on published data regarding DHEA, he concluded that the neuroprotective effects of DHEAS, starting at the age of seven, may promote prolonged development of the human prefrontal cortex. Although there are many inconclusive studies on the actual impact of DHEA on aging and psychiatric well-being, there continues to be an abundance of interest in this hormone and its relationship to the overall health in humans.
Researchers from the University of San Francisco, Department of Psychiatry, concluded that beneficial effects of DHEA have been consistently reported in individuals with major depression; however, these results were based on a small pool of individuals. These scientists believe that studies incorporating a larger group of individuals are necessary to identify positive or negative results from DHEA.
Currently, there are many small clinical trials and ad hoc results which believe that DHEA may or may not have an impact on anti-aging. It is a matter of time before more clinical studies and further findings emerge to determine if there is a causal outcome on aging and psychological vitality from DHEA.
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