DHEA: what 's the latest word?

[Chris Correia]

I just bought (at a discount), by a friend who works at (eek!) GNC, the DHEA vitamin pack for men over 40. There's a whole bunch of vitamins, minerals and herbal stuff, and also a 25 mg DHEA tab for each day.

I've done a bit of google-ing, and also some forum searches here. Still, I'm wondering what anyone knows about the latest word on DHEA. Everything I found sounded neutral to good, except one piece that referenced a study that showed no increase in testosterone levels, but did show an increase in levels of a hormone that is related to enlarged prostate. Hell, the box of this stuff states "prostate health", not prostate risk.

Anyone know some of the latest word?

[SAMHAIN]

DHEA appears to be thermogenic. It does not affect the appetite but affects the synthesis of fatty acids and overall body fat. I read one study where Scientists looked at the energy producing centers found in cells. At first they thought DHEA restricted the amount of energy for fat synthesis. Surprisingly, after twenty one days of supplementation, there was a twenty percent increase in oxygen use by the body. This shows DHEA is metabolizing excess body fat. evidently, the de activation of DHEA in the liver causes the periosomes to proliferate and work overtime. The perisomes use oxygen to break down fats, which are used as a source of energy.

whether or not DHEA increases tesosterone is currently debated with both sides having quality arguements. ONe thing I want to point out is DHEA can aromatize to estrogen. Also, DHEA as a weak androgen could occupy the receptor site for tesosterone. this net effect could be estrogenic. DHEA could actually decrease the output of testosterone by inhibiting the release of LH and FSH in turn suppressing the HPTA.

However, I have seen some studies where they show a rise in tesosterone, but the question is is it free testosterone or is it bound.?

[Johnka]

7-KETO-DHEA is the version that's safe against aromatization, and it's a good fat burner. They've pretty much given up on DHEA for testosterone purposes, since it's two steps away from being converted to T. First it's converted to a pro-hormone, (like 4-androwhateverstione), which can then be converted to T. But both of these have such low conversions, that it's basically nothing. But promising for fat buring nevertheless.

[Chris Correia]

Thanks for the feedback and info, gentlemen. It sounds like I can take the capsule or not; I'll probably take it for the month since I paid for it! Then not bother after that.