How DHEA Benefits Health

DHEA is a steroid hormone produced in several organs of the body including the adrenal gland, gonads, and brain. DHEA declines naturally as we progress in age. The body produces the highest levels of DHEA when an individual is in their twenties. It is necessary for the production of other important hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen.

Major sources of DHEA are said to be wild yams and soy. Despite this, reports the body can use these foods for DHEA are widely disputed. Contrary to that, foods that may contribute to increased DHEA in the body include licorice root, fish, avocados, chia seeds, and nuts. The hormone is most notable from being reported to offer several health benefits. Continue reading for details.

Promotes Weight Loss

Researchers are currently looking into precisely how DHEA promotes weight loss. Some say the hormone boosts metabolism, which contributes to allows the body to burn fat. Researchers studied the hormone's effects in obese rats in a 2003 study. The rats were supplemented with DHEA for seventeen days, and researchers saw a significant reduction in body fat.

DHEA's effects on weight are also demonstrated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study featuring thirty-five overweight adults. The adults who took DHEA saw greater weight loss than the ones who received the placebo substance. In a series of double-blind placebo-controlled studies, researchers included 1353 elderly male participants, and in this study, DHEA supplementation was shown to produce a fairly significant reduction effect on body fat.

In addition, DHEA may contribute to weight loss by regulating appetite. A 2001 review details a handful of studies in which DHEA supplementation exhibited inhibitory effects on food intake in mice. In one study, DHEA caused an increase in dopamine and serotonin, the brain's neurotransmitters, which act as appetite suppressants.

Learn more about the health benefits of DHEA.