Dehydroepiandrosterone (as the abbreviation DHEA stands for ) is an absolutely unpronounceable word. Even a Nobel laureate would break his tongue here! Meanwhile, among bodybuilders this hormone is considered one of the “hottest” supplements. A carbon steroid, it is produced in the adrenal glands and serves as a kind of “raw material” for other hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. Unlike other hormones of the adrenal glands, the level of DHEA in the body is unstable: it reaches its peak when a person is about twenty-five years old, and after that it begins to decline steadily.
A dozen years ago, DHEA was known only to narrow specialists. But in 1986, the results of a long-term, serious study were published, which showed that increased levels of this hormone in the blood reduce mortality from cardiovascular diseases among men by 20%. According to scientists, DHEA reduces the level of “bad” cholesterol ( low-density lipoprotein ) in the blood and at the same time improves immunity by blocking the action of a harmful enzyme called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Oddly enough, further research did not reveal the same positive effect of DHEA on the female body.
Well, okay, what does this give to bodybuilders? First of all, DHEA counteracts the catabolic hormone cortisol. But most importantly, DHEA has been shown to increase the production of natural insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). However, unlike anabolic steroids, DHEA does not reduce the level of “good” cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins). The only negative is that DHEA still cannot activate the growth factor.
Research in the late 1980s and early 1990s produced uncertain and often even contradictory results. Scientific consensus is generally that DHEA in supplement form may be beneficial for older adults, primarily as a general health tonic. But is it necessary for young and healthy bodybuilders? It’s not clear yet. To answer this question, new studies are planned that will show the relationship between DHEA and the production of insulin-like growth factor.
However, scientists already believe that DHEA is more suitable for female bodybuilders . The fact is that this hormone, among other things, has an androgenic effect. It redistributes fat deposits: less fat is deposited in the lower part of the body – it seems to “move” to the upper part. On the other hand, “moving” fat to the upper body is dangerous from the point of view of cardiovascular diseases. But DHEA, on the contrary, provides the stronger sex with additional protection from these diseases: in the male body, the level of DHEA is regulated by insulin.
Some animal studies have shown that large doses of DHEA (1.5 grams per day or more) over long periods of time can lead to dangerous effects. A high concentration of this hormone causes an enlargement of the prostate gland in experimental mice, and sometimes the growth of tumors.
What follows from this? Today, DHEA can be considered beneficial for the elderly, for women (with some reservations) and for those who are naturally deficient in this hormone.
