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Other common
name(s): none
Scientific/medical
name(s): dehydroepiandrosterone, prasterone
Description
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid hormone produced by
the adrenal gland. The body converts it into other important hormones,
including the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone. It is normally
found in humans, plants, and animals and is available as a dietary
supplement.
Wild yam plant extract, also available as a dietary
supplement, is thought by some to contain substances from which the
body can make DHEA. However, there is no scientific evidence available
to suggest that the body can convert any part of the wild yam or its
extract into hormones such as DHEA.
Overview
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that
DHEA supplements are safe or effective for treating cancer. Caution is
advised in their use in people who have cancer, especially types of
cancer that respond to hormones, such as certain types of breast
cancer, prostate cancer, and uterine cancer. People younger than 30 may
run the risk of suppressing the body's natural production of DHEA if
they take DHEA supplements. While there are hints that DHEA may have
some use in treating certain hormone deficiencies, autoimmune diseases,
and mood and memory problems of older age, more research is needed to
determine its long-term safety and effectiveness.
How is it promoted for use?
Supporters suggest that DHEA supplements may prevent the
growth and recurrence of some types of cancer, protect against heart
disease, improve memory, reduce the risk of osteoporosis in women, and
help prevent other diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson disease, and
Alzheimer disease. Some say that DHEA may be an effective treatment for
lupus, colitis, and depression.
Since the body's natural levels of DHEA usually begin to
decline after a person reaches 30 years of age, some claim that the
supplements can help slow the aging process. Some supporters also
contend that DHEA boosts the immune system, reduces fat, builds muscle,
promotes sleep, increases a person's overall sense of well-being, and
increases sex drive.
What does it involve?
DHEA is taken by mouth or applied to the skin. It is made into
tablets, capsules, and creams and can also be made into a tea. There
are no widely accepted dosage guidelines for DHEA.
What is the history behind it?
DHEA was first discovered in the 1930s. Over the next 50
years, researchers learned that it was made by the adrenal glands and
was a precursor to other steroid hormones in the body. Some early
research in laboratory animals hinted that it might be helpful in
certain conditions, although it now appears that the role of DHEA in
humans is different from its role in rodents and other animals. No
large studies were reported in humans before the 1990s.
DHEA was banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
in 1985 because of its unproven safety and effectiveness. This ban was
removed by the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health & Education Act,
and DHEA supplements became available to the public soon after. The
National Football League (NFL), the National Basketball Association
(NBA), and some other sports groups do not allow players to use DHEA
because of the concern that its effects may be similar to those of
anabolic (muscle-building) steroids.
What is the evidence?
Very few valid clinical research studies have been done on the
link between DHEA supplements and improved health. Some studies have
looked at the relationship between DHEA levels in the body and certain
diseases, with mixed and sometimes conflicting results.
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that
DHEA can slow down or prevent the growth of cancer in humans. Some
early laboratory studies found that DHEA can slow the growth of certain
types of cancer cells. Others, however, found that DHEA causes some
cancer cell lines, such as prostate cancer cells, to grow more quickly.
One animal study concluded that DHEA had no influence on either cancer
or life span.
One study found no relationship between DHEA levels in the
blood and the risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women, while
another found that a high level of DHEA in the blood was linked to a
higher risk of breast cancer among women older than 45 years. Although
this second study observed a statistical correlation but did not test
the effect of DHEA supplements on breast cancer risk, it does raise
concern that intentionally increasing a woman's DHEA levels may be
unsafe.
Some studies have also looked the relationship between DHEA
and heart disease. One early study showed that men who had high levels
of DHEA in their blood were less likely to have died of heart disease,
but women who had high DHEA levels were at greater risk of dying of
heart disease. A recent analysis of the research found that there was
little association between levels of DHEA and heart disease in men or
women.
In addition, DHEA has been studied for any possible benefit
for other health condition. No clinical research has convincingly shown
that DHEA supplements increase muscle mass, reduce fat, or prevent
disease. A study of humans taking DHEA supplements suggested that it
may help treat lupus, an autoimmune disease. DHEA's ability to
stimulate the immune system is being studied in clinical trials. A 2005
double-blind clinical trial of older women with fibromyalgia found
that, although DHEA supplements raised blood levels of DHEA, they did
not help with pain, tiredness, mood, brain function, or other quality
of life measures.
A small pilot study suggested that DHEA may improve mood,
energy, libido, and, in some cases, memory performance in the elderly.
However, an analysis of studies available to date showed no convincing
evidence that DHEA improved memory in older adults. Some early test
results raise the possibility of DHEA being useful in older people with
depression, although larger, double-blind clinical trials are needed.
DHEA may help some people with adrenal insufficiency (poorly working
adrenal glands).
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
This product is sold as a
dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike companies that produce
drugs (which must provide the FDA with results of detailed testing
showing their product is safe and effective before the drug is approved
for sale), the companies that make supplements do not have to show
evidence of safety or health benefits to the FDA before selling their
products. Supplement products without any reliable scientific evidence
of health benefits may still be sold as long as the companies selling
them do not claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure any
specific disease. Some such products may not contain the amount of the
herb or substance that is written on the label, and some may include
other substances (contaminants).
Though the FDA has written
new rules to improve the quality of manufacturing processes for dietary
supplements and the accurate listing of supplement ingredients, these
rules do not take full effect until 2010. And, the new rules do not
address the safety of supplement ingredients or their effects on health
when proper manufacturing techniques are used.
Most such
supplements have not been tested to find out if they interact with
medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even though some
reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full
studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of
these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions
below should be considered incomplete.
It is not known whether DHEA is safe for long-term use. Some
researchers believe DHEA supplements might actually raise the risk of
breast cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
DHEA may stimulate tumor growth in types of cancer that are sensitive
to hormones, such as some types of breast, uterine, and prostate
cancer. DHEA may increase prostate swelling in men with benign
prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, an enlarged prostate gland.
DHEA is a steroid hormone. High doses may cause
aggressiveness, irritability, trouble sleeping, and the growth of body
or facial hair on women. It also may stop menstruation and lower the
levels of HDL, or "good," cholesterol, which could raise the risk of
heart disease. Other reported side effects include acne, heart rhythm
problems, liver problems, hair loss (from the scalp), and oily skin. It
may also alter the body's regulation of blood sugar.
DHEA should not be used with tamoxifen, as it may promote
tamoxifen resistance. Patients on hormone replacement therapy may have
more estrogen-related side effects when taking DHEA. This supplement
may also interfere with other medicines, and potential interactions
between it and drugs and herbs should be considered. Always tell your
doctor and pharmacist about any supplements and herbs you are taking.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use DHEA.
Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or delaying
conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health
consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Arnold JT, Le H, McFann KK, Blackman MR. Comparative effects
of DHEA vs. testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and estradiol on
proliferation and gene expression in human LNCaP prostate cancer cells.
Am J Physiol Endocrinol
Metab. 2005 Mar;288(3):E573-584. Epub 2004 Nov 9.
Finckh A, Berner IC, Aubry-Rozier B, So AK. A randomized
controlled trial of dehydroepiandrosterone in postmenopausal women with
fibromyalgia. J
Rheumatol. 2005 Jul;32(7):1336-40.
Grimley Evans J, Malouf R, Huppert F, van Niekerk JK.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation for cognitive function in
healthy elderly people. Cochrane
Database Syst Rev. 2006 Oct 18;(4):CD006221.
Igwebuike A, Irving BA, Bigelow ML, Short KR, McConnell JP,
Nair KS. Lack of dehydroepiandrosterone effect on a combined endurance
and resistance exercise program in postmenopausal women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab.
2008;93:534-538.
Kaaks R, Berrino F, Key T, Rinaldi S, Dossus L, Biessy C, et
al. Serum sex steroids in premenopausal women and breast cancer risk
within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition
(EPIC). J Natl Cancer
Inst. 2005 May 18;97(10):755-765.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Dehydroepiandrosterone. Accessed at:
http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69201.cfm on June 11, 2008.
PDRhealth. DHEA. Accessed at:
www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/dhe_0094.shtml
on June 11, 2008.
Pugh TD, Oberley TD, Weindruch R. Dietary intervention at
middle age: Caloric restriction but not dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate
increases lifespan and lifetime cancer incidence in mice. Cancer Res.
1999;59:1642-1648.
Schardt D. Remembering gingko & DHEA; claims of
dietary supplement have not been proven. Nutr Action Healthletter.
1998;25:9.
Tworoger SS, Missmer SA, Eliassen AH, Spiegelman D, Folkerd E,
Dowsett M, Barbieri RL, Hankinson SE. The association of plasma DHEA
and DHEA sulfate with breast cancer risk in predominantly premenopausal
women. Cancer Epidemiol
Biomarkers Prev. 2006;15:967-971.
Note: This information may not cover
all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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