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8 Simple Steps for Treating Adult Acne
The number people over 30 needing acne treatments has climbed to the extent that a report published in Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology recommends raising the age for insurance coverage of the acne drug tretinoin to at least 40. The...
Fiber Can Reduce Risk Of Colon Cancer And Help Diabetics
Your fibre intake is a critical factor in weight loss and
general well-being. Health professionals advise that adults
should eat at least 25-35 grams of fibre each day. The current
average in western countries such as Australia and the US...
Make A Weight-Loss New Year’s Resolution And Stick With It All Year Long
Losing weight is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions each year. We all start with great intentions but after a few weeks, we fall back into our usual unhealthy lifestyle and the weight we did lose creeps back on. Let’s take a look at what...
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism the way our bodies use digested food for growth and energy. Most of the food we eat is broken down into glucose, the form of sugar in the blood.
Glucose is the main source of fuel for the body. Diabetes...
What You Should Know About Mixing Medications and Diet
"...Medicine is dominated by a conservative inertia in which, for what they conceive of as medical-legal safety, 95% of the entire pack moves forward slowly, and together, to incorporate advances in science...." The Doctors' Medical Library 2004...
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Fighting Age with DHEA
DHEA is another controversial antiaging hormone. However,
unlike the Human Growth Hormone (HGH) there have been more studies done, but with often conflicting results.
DHEA is a naturally occurring steroid hormone that is a precursor to the male hormone testosterone and the female hormone estrogen. There seems to be little dispute that DHEA
levels steadily decline as we age, so that by the age of 70 a person is only producing about 20% as he did in his teens or 20’s.
Proponents of supplemental DHEA claim that taking the hormone will improve your memory, increase libido, improve muscle tone and stamina, reduce depression, anxiety and fatigue, rejuvenate cells leading to firmer, less wrinkled skin, add sheen and
strength to damaged hair and nails and help with weight control.
A German study done in the late 90’s showed that women who took
DHEA for four months were less likely to be depressed, anxious or
hostile and more likely to have sexual thoughts and enjoy sex. These
results seemed to confirm other studies that DHEA can effect moods
and perhaps reduce depression. It might also aid in the treatment of
chronic fatigue syndrome.
However two studies in 2003 gave contradictory results as far as the
effect of the hormone on heart disease and doctors are very worried
that the hormone might, in fact, worsen heart conditions.
More recent studies have shown that DHEA can cause significant
reductions in abdominal fat, which is associated with diabetes and
blood plaque build up in the arteries. So the effect of the hormone
on the heart is still undecided.
DHEA is also proven to help some lupus suffers.
As with all hormone therapies, the experts warn that the long term
risks are unknown. There is concern that DHEA may cause or worsen
heart conditions or cause or accelerate prostate cancer or other
tumors.
The hormone is available as a supplement and not patentable, so no research is likely to be done by the
pharmaceutical industry. As a matter of fact, DHEA was briefly banned
in the US, but is now legal, to the chagrin of many doctors.
Other physicians feel that a dosage up to 50 mg a day would probably
not be harmful. But even they call for more studies.
DHEA is probably not needed before the age of 40. A blood test can be
used to establish if you are suffering from a deficiency.
There is nothing to prevent anyone from buying and taking DHEA. There
are many short term benefits and long term hazards, if any, have not
yet been proven.
If you feel you might benefit from DHEA, consult a qualified physician
first. This article is for informational purposes only. It does not purport to offer medical advice.
About the Author
Ms. Bowler has been a teacher all her life. She has taught grade school, ballet and aerobics. She has also been a personal trainer.
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