NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - the hormone DHEA supplement can be promoted as a fountain of youth, but there was no evidence of good that it stimulates the memory of older women, sexual function, or general welfare, a new research review finds.
DHEA, dehydroepiandrosterone, or other steroid hormones, including testosterone and estrogen is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that is converted. The people of DHEA naturally levels peak during the twenties, and then taper as they age. Therefore, synthetic over-the-counter DHEA supplements are marketed as an anti-aging weapon.
The supplement is applied to enhance memory and other cognitive skills, boost libido and sexual function and improve the overall feelings of "well-being". He said also help protect against heart disease by improving the rate of cholesterol and diabetes by improving the use of the body of insulin hormone regulation of blood sugar.
But none of these claims hold up in the longer term studies, according to the new review, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & metabolism.
"In the 1990s, DHEA was considered an elixir of youth, with the preliminary studies suggesting benefits," said Dr. Susan r. Davis, principal investigator for the review and the Director of the research program of the health of women at Monash University at VictoriaAustralie.
But, more recently, she told Reuters Health in an email, some larger, more long term found no benefit.
For example, a few previous studies found that DHEA could stimulate the memory of older women. But they understood that a small number of women and lasted only for 2-4 weeks.
The largest study to examine the question - a subsequent 115 women for 1 year - 2008 trial found no evidence that DHEA benefited to the memory of women or other cognitive abilities.
Similarly, Davis and his colleagues found the bulk of the evidence was negative when it comes to DHEA for managing sexual dysfunction, mood, cholesterol and insulin.
"Our data suggest that there is virtually no benefit for post-menopausal women use DHEA supplements to improve sexual function, wellness, cognitive performance, or for the prevention of diabetes/insulin resistance or at lower levels of cholesterol," said Davis.
However, she noted, some trials have suggested that DHEA may help slow the loss of bone density after menopause. Researchers examined 10 studies have examined the effects of DHEA on bone density more than 6 months to 2 years, and the majority have revealed some of the positive effects on bone mass women.
However, Davis said, it is not known if DHEA may reduce the risk of older women of fractures.
DHEA capsules are widely sold with vitamins and supplements, costs about $ 6 a month supply.
The most common side effects of DHEA appear to be acne and excess hair on the face and body, said Davis. Researchers don't know yet what negative health effects, if any, might be caused by use in the long term.
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/gpY9kN Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & metabolism, online March 16, 2011.
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