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DHEA: Evidence for anti-aging claims is weak
If you're considering taking DHEA, get the facts. Research doesn't support the supplement's anti-aging claims.
By Mayo Clinic staff
DHEA is often touted as an anti-aging therapy, used to ward off chronic illness and maintain energy and vigor — but research doesn't back up these DHEA claims, and the supplement may cause side effects. Here, K. Sreekumaran Nair, M.D., an endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., answers questions about DHEA.
What is DHEA?
Your body naturally produces the hormone DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, in your adrenal glands — which sit on top of your kidneys. Your body uses DHEA to produce other hormones, including testosterone and estrogen. A synthetic version of DHEA is available in pill form. It's sold as an herbal supplement in the U.S., but is available by prescription only in most other countries.
What does DHEA have to do with aging?
Natural DHEA levels peak in your 20s and then slowly fall as you age. Some people suspect that low levels of DHEA cause or contribute to common age-related changes, such as decreasing muscle mass, reduced bone density and cognitive impairment. In theory, taking DHEA supplements to maintain DHEA levels should slow the aging process. Research hasn't proved this to be true, however.
Recent studies have shown that DHEA may improve hipbone mineral density in both men and women, as well as spine bone mineral density, concentration and memory in women. But other research doesn't support these findings.
For example, a 2006 Mayo Clinic study examined use of DHEA supplements in older adults over two years and found no anti-aging benefits. While DHEA levels went up to the same levels found in younger people in the study participants who took DHEA supplements, there were no differences between those who took DHEA and those who didn't in body composition, physical performance, insulin sensitivity or quality of life. A 2008 Mayo Clinic study also showed DHEA provided no additional benefit to postmenopausal women who exercised.
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- Chrousos GP. Dehyroepiandrosterone and its sulfate. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 30, 2009.
- Nair KS. DHEA in elderly women and DHEA or testosterone in elderly men. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2006;355:1647.
- Stewart PM. Aging and fountain-of-youth hormones. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2006;355:1724.
- DHEA. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed June 18, 2009.
- Panjari M, et al. A randomized trial of oral DHEA treatment for sexual function, well-being and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women with low libido. The Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2009;1.
- Grimley EJ, et al. Dehyroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation for cognitive function in healthy elderly people. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2006:CD006221.
- Weiss EP, et al. Dehyroepiandrosterone replacement therapy in older adults: 1- and 2-y effects on bone. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2009;89:1459.
- Jankowski CM, et al. Increases in bone mineral density in response to oral dehyroepiandrosterone replacement in older adults appear to be mediated by serum estrogens. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2008;93:4767.
- Davis SR, et al. Dehyroepiandrosterone sulfate levels are associated with more favorable cognitive function in women. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2008;93:801.
- Healthy aging for older adults. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/aging/. Accessed July 31, 2009.
- Nair KS (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 12, 2009.
- Igwebuike A, et al. Lack of dehyroepiandrosterone effect on a combined endurance and exercise resistance program in postmenopausal women. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2008;93:534.
