A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that DHEA has no “physiologically relevant beneficial effects on body composition, physical performance, insulin sensitivity, or quality of life.” Yet past studies and new studies would indicate the opposite.
One such study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology demonstrated that 50mg/day of DHEA increased bone density in women but not in men. DHEA is metabolized in part to estrogen and testosterone, both of which can help prevent bone loss. Plus this hormone may play a different role not yet know in building strong bones.
I strongly recommend that patients, especially the older generation, have their DHEA-s leels checked and if it is sub-optimal that they take DHEA.
Terry Pfau, DO, HMD