What is DHEA?
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a natural steroid hormone produced by the adrenals - and to a lesser extent by the testes and ovaries. DHEA is the most abundant steroid in the body - blood levels of DHEA and its sister molecule (DHEA-S) are many times higher than the levels of cortisol, oestrogens, progesterone or testosterone. DHEA is a precursor to other hormones (including oestrogens and testosterone) but also has specific actions of its own. Peak levels of DHEA occur at around age 25, then begin to decline, so that by age 85 levels may have decreased by 95%. DHEA levels may be correlated with longevity.
DHEA, identical to that which is produced naturally in the human body, can also be synthesised from natural plant sterols (e.g. diosgenin, extracted from wild yams - but note that wild yams do not contain DHEA, nor can diosgenin be converted into DHEA in the body).
Contrary to popular (misinformed) belief, DHEA is not a banned or prohibited substance in Australia, though its use (in high doses) in an attempt to enhance athletic performance is not permitted; DHEA is a legal prescription-only medicine, so can therefore be obtained when prescribed by a qualified doctor. As a naturally occurring substance, it cannot be patented, and therefore pharmaceutical companies have no interest in producing it - it can however, be obtained (on prescription) through compounding pharmacists. Homoeopathic DHEA, sold legally without prescription, in health food stores and pharmacies in Australia, contains no physical quantity of DHEA and will not increase DHEA levels when taken. In some countries, such as the USA,DHEA is freely available from health food stores and even some supermarkets!
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