FitSugar

DrSugar Answers: What Is DHEA?

DrSugar — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:00:00 PDT

DrSugar is in the house and he's answering your health questions.

Dear DrSugar,
My mom was very fatigued most days, having to take naps between basic activities like shopping and putting away the groceries, until she started taking a DHEA supplement. Now she has more energy and makes it through multiple activities with no naps. I've started taking it the last few days and I feel much more alert and active. I also think you should know we have both suffered from depression and are being treated by a medical doctor for it. What exactly is it and why does it have this effect? Thanks in advance.
- DHEA User

To learn what DHEA is and how it is used medically,

Secreted by adrenal gland, DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) serves as a precursor to hormones such as testosterone and estrogen, and around age 30 the body produces less of it. Using DHEA as medication first became popular in the 1990s with hopes that it would be cure-all and antiaging drug. The drug did not live up to these high expectations; however, there are studies supporting DHEA for use in a variety of illnesses. Scientific evidence supports the use of DHEA in adrenal insufficiency as well as lupus and depression. It sounds like this medication has benefited your mother in terms of increasing her energy levels. The decrease could be related to depression, therefore it would make sense that she would benefit from DHEA. It's likely increasing the levels of certain hormones in her body, leading to higher energy levels.

Although DHEA shows promise in the treatment depression and other diseases, it also comes with potential side effects. Some that have been observed in higher doses include heart arrythimias, acne, and male-pattern hair growth. Because DHEA can elevate levels of testosterone and estrogen, this can also theoretically increase the risk of breast cancer or prostate enlargement. There is debate as to whether DHEA should be a prescription-only medication, and I recommend using it only in the setting of physician supervision.

Have a question for DrSugar? Send it by private messaging me here, and I will forward it to the good doctor.

DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

The Consequences of Too Much Stress (and How to Deal)

Leta Shy — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 13:20:02 PDT

There's no such thing as a stress-free life, but it's important to minimize those levels of cortisol - the stress hormone - that exist in our bodies. Stress can lead to many unwanted consequences. Read on to find out just why you should relax.

It makes you gain weight. Stress means increased levels of the hormone cortisol, which signals to your body that you need to replenish calories as a response to stress levels. That can make you eat more after a stressful situation, which can lead to weight gain if you have chronic stress. And not only that, stress contributes to belly fat, which has been shown to lead to many different types of diseases.

You won't get a good night's rest. Stress has a funny way of compounding itself. Worrying can cause you to feel even more stress, which can affect sleep and lead to a host of other problems. Check out 10 consequences of not getting enough sleep here.

Read on for more consequences of stress, and don't worry, we've got tips to deal with it after the break.

What's the Secret to a Long Life?

Leta Shy — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 03:00:30 PDT

Old people have been in the news lately, and everyone wants to know their secret. There are the "World's Oldest Siblings," the eldest of whom, at 108, has been smoking "for more than 80 years, all day long, every day" and enjoys the regular cocktail. She's not the only one; doctors who've studied the siblings, along with others eligible for a Smucker's birthday celebration, found that many of the centenarians were overweight, smokers, and non-exercisers for most of their lives.

There's also the recent study that says the secret to a long life is getting enough sleep; women who slept fewer than five hours every night were less likely to live as long as those who got five to 6.5 hours of sleep. And then there's the new finding that those with a high level of the DHEAS hormone tend to exercise more, have better relationships, and live longer; the hormone - also called the "wealth" hormone because those who have the highest levels of it tend to be rich - helps regulate stress levels in the body.

With all the speculation about how we can live longer, what do you believe is the secret to a long life? Can we prolong our lives by getting enough sleep, practicing a healthy lifestyle, and limiting stress, or is it all in our genetics?