![]() Youthful Aging By Norm Shealy |
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DHEA: THE YOUTH AND HEALTH HORMONE DHEA, dehydroepiandrosterone, is easily the single most important indicator of health reserves. In literally thousands of individuals, I have found that half of all adults are truly deficient and almost half have lower than optimal levels of DHEA. Low or deficient DHEA is found in every illness. Although low levels may exist for some years before major illness develops, the corollary is that individuals with optimal levels do not have any significant illnesses. In general, DHEA levels begin to rise in adolescence and reach their peak at about 25 years of age. After age 30 DHEA levels begin to fall, so that by the mid 70's levels may be 10% of the optimal level. BUT, healthy, happy, active seniors maintain a healthy level of DHEA. The normal activities, which ensure optimal levels of DHEA, are:
There is only one lab I have found reliable for DHEA levels: Nichols of Capistrano, California. 800-225-7483. I have no financial interest in this lab but it is accurate. At least 5 other labs have been totally unreliable, with variations of 50 to 300% in the levels on the SAME blood. Do not waste your blood, time or money on other labs!
DHEA-Sulfate, DHEA-S levels may be reasonably accurate at most labs BUT DHEA-S has not been found to be as clinically reliable as DHEA. Salivary DHEA levels MAY be useful. If you go for those, be sure your levels are in the UPPER 50% of the lab range. Do not take DHEA orally! There is some evidence that oral DHEA may exacerbate undiagnosed cancer of prostate, breast, ovary or uterus. DHEA may be prescribed for serious illnesses such as lupus erythematosis, multiple sclerosis, etc. BUT do not take it without careful physician monitoring. |
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