Re: DHEA-S

The acronym DHEA means dehydroepiandrosterone, an adrenal cortical androgenic (male) steroid hormone with far less effect that testosterone. The basic hormone is capable of being recovered from male urine.

From the University of Maryland some interesting facts/comments:

1. The drug is not approved by the FDA.
2. Since it is not regulated by the FDA, little is known about its saftey or any contraindications to its use.
3. Its interaction or impact upon other medications, such as contraceptives, is thus not known either.
4. Although DHEA advocates claim that this supplement can improve mood, increase energy and libido, counteact stress, preserve muscle, strengthen the immune system, and prevent heart disease and cancer, NONE OF THESE CLAIMS ARE SUBSTANTIATED BY ANY CONCRETE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE;
5. Production of DHEA peaks at about age 25 and delines steadily thereafter; by 85 years of age its production is down about 95%.
6. DHEA is a known precursor of numerous sex steroids, including estrogen and testosterone, but the specific biological role of DHEA itself is not well understood, because of the difficulty of separating the effects of DHEA from those of the primary sex steroids into which it is metabolized.