What is the role of DHEA as an anti aging agent?

DHEA is widely reputed to prevent or delay aging. Many alternative health care practitioners rave about the product. Women have been rushing to buy this product from many health food stores. DHEA is a naturally occurring substance in the body and is converted into the sex hormones, testosterone and estrogen. DHEA levels peak in the 2nd decade of life and then continue to fall throughout life. Low levels of DHEA have been linked to thinning of bones, decreased muscle mass and even poor concentration. So off course, many people claim that if you take DHEA, then these changes will be prevented. Today, synthetic DHEA is available and sold in many health food stores.


The data on whether DHEA can reverse bone thinning or improving memory are conflicting. Some studies show that it does have benefit and others show that it does not do much. The recent study by researchers at Mayo Clinic showed that DHEA taken for over 2 years did not have an affect on aging or body composition. Moreover, DHEA does have side effects like increased acne, oily skin and reducing the good cholesterol. So for the moment the jury is till out on DHEA. IF you want to look and feel young, start to exercise, eat healthy and do not smoke. If you have the money to spend, then perhaps you may want to try out this supplement and determine for yourself what it can do.