subject: Dhea: The Youth Hormone Supplement [print this page] DHEA or Dehydroepiandrosterone, is an androgynous first discovered by German researches in the 1930s. DHEA is a naturally-produced hormone in the human body that contributes to many interesting properties including the building of muscle mass and the alleviation of stress. Many claims have been made in recent years about DHEA"s ability to do everything from reverse aging to build bodies. Many of the widely diverse claims simply do not hold up under greater scrutiny while the scientific jury is still our on others.
A 2008 study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society did conclude however that there was a correlation between longer life spans and higher levels of hormones such as DHEA and melatonine. Today, many claim that DHEA prolongs life, reduces stress, and even stimulates the libido making you more potent sexually. DHEA is even recommended for women suffering from menopause as a way to alleviate hot flashes and fluctuations in mood.
DHEA is considered a steroid and performance-enhancing drug. As such it is banned by all major professional sports leagues such as the NFL, Major League Baseball, and the Olympics. DHEA is legal however outside of most sports competitions and is available for sale by parapharmacies and sellers of hormone supplements in the United States and other countries.
While DHEA is still relatively controversial, many athletes, particularly body-builders and weightlifters have noted dramatic improvement in their muscle mass, ability to lift weights, and perform at peak levels, thanks to DHEA.
