DHEA and Weight Loss

Testosterone and estrogen are not the only hormones implicated in weight gain. Low levels of DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), a steroid hormone, have also been linked to increased weight gain. Virtually everyone over age 35 experiences a significant reduction in DHEA. Studies suggest that supplementing with DHEA produces beneficial body composition changes (Villareal et al 2000; Villareal et al 2004).

For example, a 6-month trial in aging men and women with low DHEA levels demonstrated that 50 mg of DHEA per day reversed age-related changes in fat mass (Villareal et al 2000).

Another study showed that DHEA decreased abdominal obesity and improved insulin action. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated 50 mg of DHEA per day for 6 months in 56 individuals with age-related decline in DHEA levels. The study showed that DHEA was associated with significant decreases in visceral and subcutaneous fat and improved insulin sensitivity (Villareal et al 2004).

Note: In woman DHEA can convert to testosterone, which is acceptable as long as testosterone is kept within proper range.

7-keto DHEA. A metabolite of DHEA called 7-keto DHEA has also attracted considerable attention for its value as a fat-loss supplement. Like DHEA, 7-keto DHEA levels dramatically decline with age (Marenich 1979).

In animal studies, 7-keto DHEA boosted fat-burning enzymes (Bobyleva et al 1993; Bobyleva et al 1997). Studies using 7-keto DHEA supplements produced encouraging results. For example, researchers assessed the effects of taking 100 mg of 7-keto DHEA or placebo twice daily for 60 days. Compared with placebo, the 7-keto group lost more body weight (6.3 lb vs. 2.1 lb). This study also found that supplementing with 7-keto DHEA was associated with a significantly greater percentage of body fat loss compared with the placebo group (Kalman et al 2000).

Because of the fat burning, or thermogenic effects of 7-keto DHEA, simultaneous supplementation with antioxidants is recommended to help guard against excessive free radical production. Animal studies have shown that 7-keto DHEA is not converted into testosterone or estradiol (Lardy et al 1995). Unlike caffeine or ephedra, 7-keto DHEA does not have a noradrenaline-induced central nervous system stimulating effect, nor does 7-keto increase heart rate or blood pressure. (From LEF)

If you are exercising and eatting right, and still not losing weight. It might be time to have some blood testing done. The thing to remember here is.....

THERE ARE REFERENCES RANGES AND THERE ARE OPTIMAL RANGES

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Sulfate, The blood Test

This test is used to determine female infertility, amenorrhea, or hirsutism and to aid in the evaluation of excess androgen/adrenocortical disease, including congenital adrenal hyperplasia and adrenal tumors. Optimal ranges are from Life Extension Foundation.

Reference Ranges:
Men:
19–29 years	280–640 µg/dL
30–39 years:	120–520 µg/dL
40–49 years:	95–530 µg/dL
50–59 years:	70–310 µg/dL
60–69 years	42–290 µg/dL
>69 years	28–175 µg/dL
LE’s Optimal Range:	400–500 µg/dL
Women:
19–29 years:	65–380 µg/dL
30–39 years:	45–270 µg/dL
40–49 years	32–240 µg/dL
50–59 years	26–200 µg/dL
60–69 years	13–130 µg/dL
>69 years	17–90 µg/dL
LE’s Optimal Range:	350–430 µg/dL