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Alex Singleton

Exercise Science 134-12

Professor Mohning

December 4, 2007

DHEA

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid precursor of androgenic hormones.

A 19-carbon steroid structure, DHEA is produced by the adrenal glands and gonads,

stimulating the production androstenedione, in turn yielding testosterone and androgen

(Brown (2), 1451) (Powers, 301). However, the production of DHEA appears to rapidly

decline after the age of 30 in both men and women (Powers, 302). Studies involving

animal testing and research conducted over the last five decades reveal DHEA as “a

multifunctional hormone with imunoenhancing, antidiabetic, antiobesity, anticancer,

neurotropic, memory-enhancing and antiagaing side effects” (Yen, 8168).

Concordantly, the steroid prohormone received widespread attention in 1993, when

French scientists claimed to witness the accrued benefits of DHEA supplementation in

both men and women- a veritable panacea of the “aging disease” (Corrigan, 237).

Conversely, recent scientific studies have since refuted claims of DHEA as an effective

ergogenic aid, providing consistent, disputing data suggesting that although DHEA levels

decline as age increases, restoration therapy does not necessarily restore staminal

faculties, such as sex drive, metabolism or executive functioning. Upon comprehensively

exploring the capacities of DHEA within the context of several scientific studies, it is

sufficient to render supplementation of this substance as ineffective, possibly even

detrimental to one’s health.

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DHEA is the chemical precursor of androgen hormones, generated by the adrenal

and gonadal glands, promoting androstenedione “with subsequent conversion to

testosterone in peripheral tissues, including fat and muscle tissue” (Williams, 499). All

sex steroids in the human body are made from DHEA, “the most abundant hormone in

circulation” (Powers, 300). Essentially, this naturally occurring compound triggers the

production of testosterone, found in both men and women, which is the primary male sex

hormone secreted by the testes, responsible for “…maintaining normal male functions

such as male sexual development, including the sex organs, [and] increases in muscle

mass…” ("Dehydroepiandrosterone." Gold Standard. 2003.). Similar to testosterone,

DHEA production peaks in the mid-twenties and rapidly declines after the age of 30

(Powers, 302). Synthetically derived testosterone, a Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid

(AAS), can be a “very effective ergogenic aid, increasing lean muscle mass, decreasing

body fat, and increasing strength even without resistance training” (Powers, 300),

(Williams, 497). However, supplemental testosterone negatively results in a number of

side effects including, “...acne, hair loss, increased risk of heart disease, kidney and liver

dysfunction, hypertension and impotence” (Powers, 300). Accordingly, the Anabolic

Steroid Control Act of 1990 defined anabolic steroids as “…any drug or hormonal

substance that promotes muscle growth in a manner pharmacologically similar to

testosterone…” rendering supplemental testosterone administration illegal unless under

the supervision of a medical doctor (Brown (2), 1452). Coincidentally, after the ban in

1993, French scientists concluded DHEA as the “new fountain of youth”, demonstrating

that the relative decline of DHEA with age is responsible for the adverse effects of aging

and could be curbed by replacement therapy (Corrigan, 237). Moreover, studies

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suggested DHEA replacement therapy would “compensate for the age-related decline in

their endogenous production…[offering]…benefits…includ[ing] stimulation of

immunologic and cardiovascular protection, inhibition of carcinogenesis, lowering of

body fat and increase in lean body mass, and promotion of physical and psychological

well-being) (Powers, 300) Consequently, legality and potential side effects of AAS use

steered athletes towards DHEA, resulting in the booming production of nutritional

supplements marketed “as natural testosterone enhancers or steroid

precursors…increas[ing] endogenous testosterone production and protein synthesis,

resulting in increased lean body mass and strength during training” (Powers, 300). The

trend led to extensive research and analysis of the steroid precursor.

A study examined the effects of DHEA supplementation for both men and

women. The substance was administered to men and women between 40 and 70 years of

age at a dosage of 50 milligrams daily, for 3 months, equivalent to “levels found in young

adults” (Powers, 302). The women experienced a “2-fold increase in [androstenedione]

and testosterone” whereas men’s blood levels reported negligible increases of

[androstenedione] (Powers, 302). Evidently, women exhibit a much more sensitive

response to DHEA supplementation. Another study was conducted with the same group,

but given larger dosages, amounting to 100 milligrams per day, over the course of 6

months (Powers, 302). Similar results were noted, as both sexes achieved higher levels

of DHEA, but the levels of androstenedione and testosterone recorded in women were

significantly higher than “levels above sex specific young adult ranges”, while men

reported no change in presence of DHEA or levels of “testosterone, strength, or lean body

mass” when coupled with resistance training (Powers, 302). The study further monitored
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blood levels of “15-. 20-. and 9-fold increases of DHEA, androstenedione and

testosterone” in postmenopausal women, ages 46 to 61 years, in response to DHEA

dosages of 1600 milligrams for 28 days and found an increased presence estrone and

estradiol exhibiting “[no] change in lean body mass” as the subjects did not perform any

kind of resistance training (Powers, 302). According to this study, women only

responded to DHEA supplementation, which induced increased levels of testoserone but

did not provide the “increase[d[ protein synthesis, muscle strength, and lean body mass”

as suggested. Additionally, as men reported almost no change in blood levels, DHEA as

an ergogenic aid does not appear to be effective for men.

A study lead by the Iowa State University sought to measure the presence of

hormones that may be activated by ingestion of DHEA while maintaining a strict exercise

regimen generally comprised by resistance training. The study recruited 30 young men,

ages 19 to 21 years, 10 of which were first administered “on two separate occasions

separated by >1 week and after an overnight fast, 50 milligrams of DHEA or placebo…in

randomly assigned double blind manner”, followed by a blood sample, taken every 30

minutes for 6 hours after ingestion (Brown, 2275). The study found DHEA samples

increased “serum androstenedione concentrations within 30 minutes that peaked at 150%

above baseline by 60 minutes after ingestion” and subsequently declined after about 60

minutes, but remained elevated for 360 minutes (Brown, 2276). Additionally, DHEA did

not affect the “serum concentrations of free testosterone or total testosterone” (Brown,

2276).

As suspected, DHEA influences androstenedione concentrations but does not

necessarily influence testosterone synthesis. Another section of the study, analyzing

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resistance training in conjunction with strength training, scheduled 3, nonconsecutive

days per week, for 6 weeks, with circuits of “bench press, calf press, biceps curl, triceps

curl, and latissimus dorsi pull-down” performing 3 sets of 6 repetitions per exercise,

which was designed to increase strength (Brown, 2275). The study revealed no

significant change in repetitions or weight in strength training and no gains in strength

testing were recorded through DHEA supplementation (Brown, 2277).

Another portion of the Iowa State studied the changes in body composition.

During the course of the study, height, weight and body circumference were measured

with a hydrostatic weighing program after weeks 4 and 8 (Brown, 2275). No

considerable changes were recorded for subjects treated with DHEA and the placebo

(Brown, 2275).

The aforementioned studies conclude DHEA restoration therapy as ineffective.

While DHEA stimulated the production of androstenedione, the projections of increased

muscle mass, lower body fat and increased lean body mass were not observed. Hence it

seems that another unknown factor or process is responsible for triggering testosterone

concentrations, which would result in increased muscle mass, lowering body fat and

promoting lean body mass. Long-term studies have not been conducted; therefore it is

unknown whether or not DHEA replacement creates adverse side effects (Powers, 305).

Numerous studies evidenced side effects such as increased risks of heart disease and

estrogen concentrations in men (Powers, 305). DHEA products feature the ubiquitous

FDA label, “These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug

Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure of prevent any

disease.”, but still manages to sell. Surprisingly, DHEA sales amounted to roughly $47
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million in 2003, so why does this product sell? ("Wellness Guide to Dietary

Supplements."). Advertised as a “natural supplement”, DHEA is widely distributed at

health and wellness stores, such as GNC, and organic grocers like Wild Oats. More than

likely, a savvy marketer recognized the potential value of connecting the natural presence

of DHEA in testosterone synthesis, thereby affording a lucrative opportunity for dynamic

entry into the “natural supplement” market. As long as the consumer is merely semi-

informed, supplement manufacturers will continue to realize tremendous profits.