Time and again I run into Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), especially the subject is anti-aging. Athletes take it, especially then when they are afraid of getting old. They of course hide completely under the surface and only rarely pop up.
I am currently working on the aging process because biestmilch is a substance that deserves attention in this respect. Searching the subject I came along DHEA again. I picked it up because I think there are still a lot of people out there who believe in this stuff.
DHEA a homone used in anti-aging and sports with very doubtful effects
DHEA is steroid hormone made primarily by the adrenal gland that is also used as a drug.
The adrenal gland sits like a hood on top of the kidneys – the rind produces steroid hormones and the pulp produces catecholamines (e.g. adrenaline). It is used by the body to make both androgens (e.g. testosterone) and estrogens (male and female sex hormones, respectively). The only profitable use of DHEA has been prooved in states of adrenal deficencies, supplementation of DHEA if reduced in elderly people did not proove any efficacy up to now.
Pure DHEA is not available in Germany. If officially imported a medical prescription is needed. There are of course channels to get it via the internet, but only on your own responsibility. No liabilities.
Those taking it should keep in mind:
- Taking DHEA as a drug has not been shown to enhance gains in muscle
size or strength produced with strength training alone and thus has
little or no benefit for use in athletics.
- In women, taking DHEA as a drug increases testosterone leading to insulin resistance, acne, and masculinizing effects (turns you into a dude – baldness on the either side, facial hair and increased body hair on the other, lowering of voice, etc.)
- It was classified as an anabolic steroid in 2004 in the US, making it a controlled substance. Previously DHEA was sold legally in the US as a nutritional supplement in health food stores. Currently it is sold illegally as a nutritional supplement in health food stores.
source:
drugs and poison
mayoclinic.com/health/dhea
Brown GA, Vukovich M, King DS: Testosterone prohormone supplements. Med Sci Sports Exerc. Aug;38(8):1451-61,2006
