According to recent surveys the use of nutritional and herbal supplements by the public is increasing dramatically. You can hardly open a magazine nowadays without finding some supplement being promoted for a variety of conditions. Unfortunately you may not be getting all of the relevant information from the media, the press or the internet to help you decide whether or not the use of a particular supplement would be helpful and safe for you. One such supplement is DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), a hormone produced in the adrenal glands which is used by the body as a building block for many other hormones such as androstenedione, testosterone and estrogen. 

DHEA is being touted as the "fountain of youth" since levels tend to decline with age and higher levels of DHEA seem to be associated with greater longevity, improved immune function and sexual function, as well as reduced risk for heart disease, obesity, diabetes and certain types of cancer. On the other hand excessive DHEA may cause acne, menstrual irregularities, aggressive behavioral changes, unwanted hair growth, prostatic enlargement and stimulate hormone dependent tumors such as prostate and breast cancer.

As with any other hormone in the body there is an optimal range for DHEA. If the level is either too low or too high you are likely to experience problems caused by either deficiency or excess. Therefore it only makes sense to take DHEA if the level is low and the blood level is monitored periodically to make sure that the amount of supplementation is not pushing the DHEA level too high. In addition to testing blood levels a physician should be screening for potential side effects or contraindications by doing prostate exams and PSA tests in men and breast exams and mammograms in women.

While I have seen many patients with low DHEA levels respond dramatically to DHEA supplementation I have also seen many patients have side effects from inappropriate use of DHEA. For these reasons my recommendation is that DHEA only be taken under medical supervision. Some vitamin stores have even made the admirable choice of not selling DHEA (even though it would be very profitable) because of their concern for the safety of consumers. This may soon become a moot point if the FDA intervenes and makes DHEA available only by prescription. 

So next time you are faced with exuberant claims about the benefits of taking a particular supplement try to get the whole story. More is not necessarily better when we realize that our bodies thrive when they are in balance.