Blood tests, urine tests, assessment of sugar levels, fat content, liver and kidney function tests, annual health check-up lists… are these really enough? Because various factors can increase our risk of disease, another check that helps indicate health status, such as “hormone balance,” is also an important aspect not to be overlooked, especially DHEAs, a hormone that does more than just fight stress—it also helps prevent diseases.
What is DHEAs hormone? Let’s get to know it first!
DHEAs is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It is a precursor hormone that the body uses to produce several important hormones, such as sex hormones like testosterone or estrogen. It is found that the level of DHEAs hormone peaks around the age of 25 and gradually decreases as age increases, averaging about 1-2% per year. Because of this, checking the balance of DHEAs hormone is important, especially when we are over 50 years old.
Even if you are not old, if you don’t want your body to age prematurely… you should check! Because DHEAs has properties that help reduce the risk of (many) diseases for you.
1. Helps build muscle and burn fat
Possibly because DHEAs is a precursor in the production of testosterone hormone, which has properties that help build muscle and reduce fat. Studies have found that men and women who took 50 milligrams of DHEAs daily for about 6 months had reduced abdominal fat. Additionally, animal studies have shown that DHEAs helps reduce body fat and body weight.
2. Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease
Several studies have found that DHEAs helps reduce fat accumulation. One study reported that men with low DHEAs levels had a 48% higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Similarly, another study reported that women who took 50 milligrams of DHEAs daily could reduce total cholesterol accumulation and reduce vascular changes that may affect blood flow.
3. Balances the metabolic system
Balanced metabolism and energy utilization not only help reduce fat accumulation but DHEAs is also an important aid in managing abnormal metabolic function to combat problems that may lead to chronic diseases such as insulin resistance, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes.
4. Improves memory and reduces the risk of premature dementia
DHEAs may not be effective in treating Alzheimer’s disease but can slow its progression because DHEAs helps counteract the effects of cortisol, the stress hormone, which damages nerve cells. Balancing DHEAs levels helps improve nerve cell function, slowing and preventing dementia.
5. Restores depression symptoms
Studies have found that patients with depression who have high cortisol levels often do not respond well to psychotherapy. Correspondingly, one study reported that patients treated with DHEAs for 6 months showed a 48-72% improvement in depression test scores, as well as a 63% improvement in brain memory function. It is believed that this is because DHEAs is a hormone that counteracts cortisol, which is one of the factors causing depression.
6. Enhances bone mass density
Catherine M. Jankowski, an exercise physiology expert and associate professor at the College of Nursing, University of Colorado, and her research team conducted a trial on 486 participants aged 55-85 years, divided into two groups: those with low bone mass (138 women and 98 men) and those with osteoporosis (29 women and 11 men). After 12 months of DHEA supplementation and placebo treatment, it was found that DHEA therapy was associated with increased bone mass in the lumbar spine, hips, and trochanter (the area next to the neck of the bone connecting to the head of the femur) in women. Based on these results, Catherine M. Jankowski predicts that DHEA hormone supplementation may help prevent bone mass loss and increase muscle mass in women.
Our body contains many types of hormones with different properties, but all hormones play an important role in health. Comprehensive health checks should not only include blood and heart tests but also assess hormone balance levels to evaluate risks, adjust behaviors, and provide timely treatment… before diseases occur.
