DHEA
DHEA is produced by your adrenal glands, and is the most plentiful sex hormone in the body. Without it, your body can’t make other important hormones. It has the added benefit of keeping your hormones balanced and functioning well.
The Facts about DHEA
- You can find DHEA in every cell of the body.
- DHEA declines with age, or with the onset of adrenal fatigue.
- DHEA supports the immune system, and protects against cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, depression, and heart disease.
- DHEA fortifies the body against the destructive effect of stress and excess cortisol production.
- The fact that DHEA is available over the counter is good for simplicity of access, but bad for ensuring proper dosage and quality. DHEA should only be taken by prescription.
Common Symptoms
- Male Symptoms
- Fatigue
- Weight Gain
- Low Sex Drive
- Muscle Loss
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Irritability
- Memory Loss
- Female Symptoms
- Weight Gain
- Fatigue
- Low Sex Drive
- Insomnia
- Mood Changes
- Memory Loss
Aging and Stress = Diminished DHEA
As people age, their adrenal glands slow down and produce less DHEA. Stress can also decrease DHEA production in the body by exhausting the adrenal glands and causing adrenal fatigue. Some people have compromised adrenal function as a consequence of both age and stress.
Because DHEA plays such a pivotal role in the proper function and balance of your endocrine system overall, balancing other hormones can be a challenge in the absence of sufficient DHEA. Meanwhile, a majority of Americans will lose 80 to 90% of their ability to produce DHEA at healthy levels between ages 30 and 80.
DHEA and Longevity
Many studies point to DHEA’s importance in supporting good general health. Some have shown low DHEA levels to be present at the onset of disease, leading researchers to conclude that DHEA may be critical to a properly functioning immune system. With few exceptions, low or deficient DHEA is found in every illness. Perhaps most critically, DHEA blocks carcinogenesis. Some studies have even concluded that low levels of DHEA are associated with a shorter lifespan.
Conversely, healthy levels of DHEA are a “strong predictor” of longevity, and a lower incidence of disease. Even a 10% increase in DHEA levels is associated with a 48% decrease in mortality from all causes.
Treatment for Low DHEA
Aging better is what Renew Youth is all about. An important component to better aging is living longer. Balancing DHEA is one way to get there. Our doctors test DHEA and replace it to healthy levels as necessary. It’s that easy.