DHEA / The Greatest Healer

INTRODUCTION 

DHEA (dehydraepiandrosteronc) is the most dominant steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex. DHEA restores most bodily functions by preventing and reversing the aging process. DHEA transforms itself into whatever steroid hormone is needed. In men it becomes testosterone, and in women estrone.

Dr. William Regelson of the Medical College of Virginia, a world authority on DHEA, calls it the “mother steroid” because it gives birth to all other adrenal and gonadal hormones.  The transformation takes place primarily in the liver. Therefore, hepatic (liver) detoxification is necessary for DHEA to work.

Blood levels of DHEA both in men and women peak by age 20, thereafter there is a constant and progressive decline.  As such, DHEA is one of the most reliable markers of aging. For example, by age 80, DHEA levels are only five percent of what they were in youth. Anti-aging researchers agree that to slow aging and maintain wellness, one must strive for DHEA levels comparable to what one had at between age 20 and 30. As the DHEA levels fall, we are, in fact, prone to all sorts of degenerative diseases including cancer, cardiovascular illnesses, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, autoimmune disorders, to mention just a few.

DHEA and Cancer

In a large population study in Great Britain, it was demonstrated that women with DHEA levels of less than ten percent of that expected for their age group, developed and died of breast cancer. DHEA has many different mechanisms to protect against cancer. One is its ability to diminish estrogen reuptake (binding of estrogen to breast cells) and therefore protect against breast cancer. Dr. Schwartz of Temple University, administered DHEA to rats who were inbred to develop cancer and it blocked the development of the disease.

DHEA and Diabetes

DHEA seems also to protect against both diabetes and obesity by inhibiting the production of an enzyme, (glucose-6 phosphate dehydronase), which limits fat synthesis. DHEA, therefore, regulates the conversion of carbohydrates to fat. DHEA is also know to lower blood pressure in diabetic patients for whom hypertension is a commonly related problem.

DHEA and Infectious Diseases (AIDS – CFIDS)

Dr. William Regelson, in the November 1991 issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases reported that people with HIV do not develop full-blown AIDS until their adrenal output of DHEA drops. At the University of California at San Francisco blood samples of HIV-positive patients were tested for both DHEA and T-cell levels, (the cells that orchestrate the immune response). Men with low levels of DHEA also had low levels of T-cells and were proved to be doubly at risk of developing full-blown AIDS.

DHEA has similar beneficial effects in Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS). The antiviral property of DHEA is, therefore, obtained through proper regulation of the thymus immunological response and activation of macrophagic activity.

In summary

DHEA increases the blood level of estrogen in women and testosterone in men. As such it would be safer to supplement DHEA to obtain these hormones, since DHEA has anti­cancer properties while administration of estrogen in women and testosterone in men might lead to the development of underlying cancerous conditions.  

DHEA is an immune regulator and as such, diminishes allergic responses.  

DHEA has been proven to be very beneficial in many autoimmune disorders, especially multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinsonism, etc. It improves memory loss and helps fight chronic fatigue and other serious viral syndromes.

DHEA decreases the thickness of platelets; the blood particle that can cause heart attach and strokes by clumping together.

DHEA lowers blood cholesterol Studies are underway to compare DHEA to Mevacor, the cholesterol-lowering drug that has many side effects.

If It Is So Good, Why Does Modern Medicine Ignore DHEA?

DHEA cannot be patented! Most of the major drug companies are presently working on a synthetic patentable form. When they succeed, you will hear a lot about this “drug”. It is, indeed unfortunate that most physicians are not familiar with this therapeutic agent since they take their lead from the pharmaceutical industry. DHEA is neither illegal nor dangerous,  but because it is a therapy that cannot be patented, the FDA calls it “experimental”.

For more details on the scientific studies I would refer you to the book The Biological Role of Dehydroepiandrosterone (ccl. Kalami and Regelson, 1990).

DHEA DOSAGE

The amount, like any other substance found in the body, depends on your blood level and symptoms and or disease process such as LUPUS, AIDS, CFIDS and other chronic conditions.

Men need at least twice as much as women to restore body functions.

Once the optimal level is reached, one needs to establish the individual maintenance dosage.¹  

DHEA is a hormone and requires medical supervision when taken in therapeutic dosages. If one takes a very minute amount, such as that contained in some anti-aging formulation, i.e. Oasis AM and PM, it does not present any risk since most adults have low levels of DHEA.

When taken in therapeutic dosages some women may develop acne and overgrowth of hair.  This happens when the liver is not doing the job correctly.²

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