DHEA is a naturally occurring hormone and either exerts benefits on its own, or can convert into both testosterone or estrogen depending on the body's need. DHEA supplementation is potent for reducing the 'effects of aging', but appears quite unreliable in its benefits.
Dehydroepiandrosterone
Our evidence-based analysis on dehydroepiandrosterone features 171 unique references to scientific papers.
Summary of Dehydroepiandrosterone
Primary information, health benefits, side effects, usage, and other important details
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Supplementation of DHEA appears to be effective in persons over 40 in the dosage range of 25-50mg, while prolonged usage of 100mg appears to be safe in this demographic. While the usage of DHEA in young persons for the purpose of testosterone enhancement is not clear, it tends to be used at 200mg for this purpose.
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Human Effect Matrix
Unlocked for Examine Plus membersThe Human Effect Matrix summarizes human studies to tell you what effects Dehydroepiandrosterone has on your body, how much evidence there is, and how strong these effects are.
Full details are available to Examine Plus members.
| Grade | Level of Evidence [show legend] |
|---|---|
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Robust research conducted with repeated double-blind clinical trials |
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Multiple studies where at least two are double-blind and placebo controlled |
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Single double-blind study or multiple cohort studies |
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Uncontrolled or observational studies only |
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Level of Evidence
?
The amount of high quality evidence. The more
evidence, the more we can trust the results.
|
Outcome |
Magnitude of effect
?
The direction and size of the supplement's impact on
each outcome. Some supplements can have an increasing effect, others have a decreasing effect, and others have no effect.
|
Consistency of research results
?
Scientific research does not always agree. HIGH or
VERY HIGH means that most of the scientific research agrees.
|
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Strong
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Very High See all 13 studies |
Supplemental DHEA results in a reliable and significant increase in DHEA concentrations in the blood (both sulfated DHEAS and unsulfated DHEA)
|
|
|
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Notable
|
High See all 14 studies |
There appears to be a notable and unreliable increase in estrogen following DHEA supplementation, with most research being conducted in menopausal women. This increase in estrogen has been noted in men as well, although similarly unreliable.
|
|
|
|
Notable
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High See all 18 studies |
There appears to be an increase in testosterone following DHEA supplementation, but the vast majority of literature is in menopausal women (where testosterone contributes to libido). There is variability in the results, and DHEA is unreliable in increasing testosterone, but this unreliability extends to all demographics and subjects (with limited evidence of DHEA increasing testosterone in all studies including youthful athletes, which are less studied).
|
|
|
|
Minor
|
Moderate See all 5 studies |
Highly unreliable influences on cortisol, with decreases seen in studies where androgens and estrogens are also increased (with no significant influence or possibly an increase in other studies)
|
|
|
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Minor
|
High See all 6 studies |
An increase in IGF-1 hormone levels may exist following DHEA supplementation, although this has only been investigated in older persons.
|
|
|
|
Minor
|
High See all 4 studies |
There appears to be a decrease in SHBG concentrations in older individuals who also experience an increase in androgen/estrogen concentrations, but this is similarly unreliable
|
|
|
|
- | High See all 3 studies |
Most evidence suggests no alterations to fasting blood glucose levels
|
|
|
|
- | High See all 7 studies |
Most evidence suggests no increase in bone mineral density, but this may be due to short trials (6 months). Longer trials note a small but unreliable increase in bone mineral density, so there may be a role of DHEA in bone health
|
|
|
|
- | Very High See all 8 studies |
No significant influence on fat mass appears to exist with DHEA supplementation in youth or in elderly persons
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|
|
|
- | High See all 3 studies |
Most evidence measuring functionality in elderly persons have not found any improvement with DHEA supplementation, although it is possible that DHEA may play a role
|
|
|
|
- | High See all 5 studies |
Most of the evidence leans towards no significant influence of DHEA on HDL-C levels
|
|
|
|
- | High See all 4 studies |
Although there is some counter evidence, usually DHEA supplementation does not alter LDL-C concentrations
|
|
|
|
- | Very High See all 8 studies |
Perhaps due to a lack of studies pairing DHEA with a prolonged resistance training program, there is no evidence to support DHEA supplementation to increase muscular or lean mass
|
|
|
|
- | Very High See all 3 studies |
Insufficient evidence to support an increase in libido despite increases in androgen status
|
|
|
|
- | Very High See all 3 studies |
No significant improvement in power output has been noted with DHEA supplementation (studies mostly in older individuals)
|
|
|
|
- | High See all 4 studies |
No significant influence on well being is noted with DHEA per se, although it may come secondary to other changes occurring during DHEA supplementation (such as improved functionality in elderly persons)
|
|
|
|
- | High See all 3 studies |
Mixed evidence, but it seems that DHEA doesn't have a significant influence on triglycerides
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|
|
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Minor
|
- See study |
Possible increases in blood flow associated with DHEA supplementation
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|
|
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Minor
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Moderate See 2 studies |
May attenuate the rate of cognitive decline in persons at higher risk, but this protective effect does not seem to be overly remarkable
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|
|
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Minor
|
Very High See 2 studies |
May increase DHT levels alongside testosterone levels, but this has only been observed in postmenopausal women
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|
|
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Minor
|
Very High See 2 studies |
An increase in fertility has been noted with DHEA supplementation
|
|
|
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Minor
|
Very High See 2 studies |
Increases in free testosterone have been noted to coincide with testosterone increases (which are unreliable)
|
|
|
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Minor
|
- See study |
Has been detected to increase nitric oxide concentrations in serum, needs to be replicated to investigate mechanisms
|
|
|
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Minor
|
- See study |
One study has noted less small particles of LDL, indicative of less LDL oxidation; possibly protective effects
|
|
|
|
Minor
|
Moderate See all 3 studies |
There may be a decrease in cholesterol seen with DHEA in hypercholesterolemics, but it is not overly reliable
|
|
|
|
- | - See study |
Overall cognition not affected by DHEA supplementation
|
|
|
|
- | - See study |
No significant interactions with depression noted
|
|
|
|
- | - See study |
No significant influence on erectile properties in persons with sexual dysfunction
|
|
|
|
- | Very High See 2 studies |
No significant alterations in follicle-stimulating hormone levels
|
|
|
|
- | - See study |
There may be an influence (study noted both increases and decreases with high variability) but this does not appear to be a clinical concern
|
|
|
|
- | - See study |
No significant alterations in fasting glucose levels
|
|
|
|
- | Very High See all 3 studies |
No significant influences on insulin sensitivity seem apparent with DHEA supplementation
|
|
|
|
- | - See study |
No detectable alteration in serum liver enzymes (biomarker of liver damage) seen with DHEA supplementation
|
|
|
|
- | Very High See 2 studies |
No significant alterations detected in luteinizing hormone levels
|
|
|
|
- | Very High See 2 studies |
Mixed effects on progesterone (and 17-hydroxyprogesterone) leaning towards no significant influence (although increases have been noted)
|
|
|
|
- | Very High See 2 studies |
No significant influence on PSA levels
|
|
|
|
- | - See study |
No significant influence on sleep quality in menopausal women
|
|
|
|
- | - See study |
No significant influence on parameters of stress
|
|
|
|
- | - See study |
No significant influence on weight noted with DHEA supplementation
|
|
|
|
Minor
|
Moderate See 2 studies |
May increase growth hormone concentrations, but this appears to be unreliable
|
|
|
|
Minor
|
- See study |
An increase in plasma endorphins has been noted with DHEA supplementation
|
|
|
|
Minor
|
Very High See 2 studies |
Decreases in menopausal symptoms have been noted with DHEA supplementation
|
|
|
|
- | - See study |
No significant influence on serum T3 has been noted
|
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Things to Note
Is a Form Of
Other Functions:
Primary Function:
Also Known As
DHEA, Pradesterone, Hydroxyandrosterone, 3β-Hydroxy-5-Androstene-17-one
Goes Well With
Aromatase Inhibiting Compounds
Caution Notice
DHEA may not be an approved substance for several sports leagues and organizations, and is currently on the WADA prohibited substances list&spreference;; please check with an authoritative body of your organization before using DHEA supplementation.
DHEA may not be approved by all sports leagues (currently on the WADA banned substances list[2]), check to see if this is on the banned substance list
At least one past report (1998[2]) noted that quality control on DHEA supplementation was subpar; current state of the industry is unknown, but it would be prudent to look for reputable suppliers
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