DHEA is the body’s most abundant circulating hormone. When we are young, around 7 years of age, we begin producing this hormone naturally. Blood levels reach their highest during our late teens and begin to decline around age 25. DHEA levels decline at the rate of about 20% per decade until we eventually bottom out at approximately 10% of peak levels by the time we reach 80 years of age.

C. Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D. has said that DHEA plays a major role in the immune system, is a building block for sexual and other hormones, and determines general levels of well-being and mood. DHEA is deficient in every major disease, including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, various immune deficiencies, coronary artery disease and autoimmune disorders.

DHEA may have a profound influence on positive body composition alteration favoring lean muscle tissue accrual. Yet another study revealed that high dose DHEA supplementation decreased body fat levels by 31% while maintaining the same overall body weight in just 28 days. This indicates a significant increase in lean body mass at the expense of body fat. This study shows DHEA may have a profound ability to significantly alter body composition to favor lean mass accrual.

Another study showed DHEA had an interesting effect on the choice of foods consumed. A controlled animal study showed those administered with DHEA, when given a choice, chose lean protein and carbohydrate foods as opposed to foods comprised of high fat.

Thousands of studies have been published showing how DHEA may help to retard the effects of aging and promote longevity. Considering DHEA’s potential benefits, many researchers advocate taking DHEA supplements to regain youthful circulating concentrations of this critical hormone. To achieve the DHEA levels of a 25-year-old, men normally take 50 mg a day, while women usually need only 15-25 mg a day.