DHEA
usage and safety precautions
Life
Extension has been investigating DHEA for over 30 years. Life
Extension's DHEA directions for use are specially drafted to provide
optimal, but safe dosing.
The
standard blood test to evaluate DHEA status is one that measures DHEA
sulfate levels (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate or DHEA-S). The DHEA-S
is calculated in micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) of blood. A DHEA-S
blood test may be taken three to six weeks after initiating a DHEA
supplementation regimen to help determine optimal dosing. DHEA testing
may save you money if it shows you can take less DHEA to maintain
youthful DHEA serum levels.
Because
of the overwhelming evidence connecting low levels of DHEA to problems
associated with aging, Life Extension suggests that all people over age
40 begin DHEA therapy. For most people, the starting dose of DHEA is
between 15–75 mg, taken in one daily dose. Many studies have used a
daily dose of 50 mg.
Since
almost everyone over age 35–40 has lower than optimal levels of DHEA,
most people begin supplementation ... and then test their blood DHEA levels
later to make sure they are taking the proper dose. Normal serum
reference ranges and ideal ranges of DHEA-S are:
|
Normal
(depending on age) |
Ideal |
| Men |
16.2-492 µg/dL |
350-500 µg/dL |
| Women |
12-407 µg/dL |
275-400 µg/dL |
People
over age 40 who do not supplement with DHEA usually have serum levels
below 200 µg/dL, and many are below 100 µg/dL since a steady decline
takes place after the third decade in life.
There are different precautions for
men and women that should be observed.
DHEA
precautions for men
Before
attempting to restore DHEA to youthful levels, men should know their
serum PSA (prostate specific antigen) level. Men with prostate cancer
or severe benign prostate disease are advised to avoid DHEA since it
can be converted into testosterone (and estrogen). Therefore, men are
advised to have a PSA and digital rectal exam before initiating DHEA to
rule out existing prostate disease.
When
taking DHEA we also recommend taking the following other nutrients
daily:
| Vitamin
D |
5,000
– 10,000 IU |
Vitamin
E
(D-alpha tocopheryl succinate) |
400
IU |
| Selenium |
200
mcg |
Gamma
E Tocopherol
with Sesame Lignans |
200
mg |
| Lycopene
Extract |
10
– 40 mg |
| Boron |
3
– 10 mg |
Cruciferous
Vegetable Extracts
(as found in Triple Action Cruciferous Vegetable Extract) |
500
– 1000 mg |
It
is important for men over 40 to have a physician check their PSA and
DHEA-S serum levels every six to twelve months thereafter. Men should
also periodically check their blood levels for free testosterone and
estrogen to make sure that DHEA is following a youthful metabolic
pathway.
See
the Male
Hormone Restoration protocol
or the Male Hormone Modulation chapter in the Disease Prevention & Treatment book for additional hormone
balance testing that can be done at the same time serum DHEA-S and PSA
levels are being tested.
DHEA
precautions for women
Women
should consider estrogen and testosterone testing when they take their
DHEA blood test in order to evaluate DHEA's effect on their blood
levels of these hormones.
Women
who have been diagnosed with an estrogen-dependent cancer should
consult their physicians before beginning the DHEA restoration process.
When
taking DHEA we also recommend taking the following other nutrients to
maintain a healthy balance each day:
| Melatonin |
300
mcg – 3 mg (nightly) |
Vitamin
E
(D-alpha tocopheryl succinate) |
400
IU |
Broccoli
Extract
(as found in Triple Action Cruciferous Vegetable Extract) |
400
mg |
Indole-3-carbinol
(as found in Triple Action Cruciferous Vegetable Extract) |
80
– 160 mg |
| Vitamin
D3 |
5,000
– 10,000 IU |
Gamma
Tocopherol
with Sesame Lignans |
200
mg |
Women
taking DHEA should refer to the Female
Hormone Restoration protocol
or the Female Hormone Modulation chapter in the Disease Prevention & Treatment book for information about
restoring youthful hormone balance.
|
Food and Snack Products
