Scientists* reported that humans tested with 100 milligrams of DHEA raised the level of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in aging men and women over a six month period. At onset, their levels were below that of young adult levels, and the treatment brought them up to snuff.

However, in women, their levels of SHBG** were reduced. This may increase their risk of breast cancer, since SHBG reduces estrogen levels. Previous reports in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute have shown that the higher the levels of SHBG in both men and women, the lower the risk of prostate and breast cancer.

It would be nice to just say, "Take this and it will make you young!" Perhaps that's the way DHEA has been promoted. But we at Health Bulletin try to give you a balanced picture since we are not promoting anything, but just trying to present the facts.

Muscle mass increased in both sexes though more in men. Fat mass decreased in men but not in women.

In our view it is a mixed picture. The researchers noted that both men and women had increased IGF-1*** in their bodies as a result of the treatment. There was no comment about that in this report, but others have shown IGF-1 to be a growth factor that played a role in their getting cancer.

DETAILS: Is DHEA good or bad in toto? Unhappy answer is, both. Readers have to make the choice as to whether to take it or not, knowing risks and benefits.

*Drs. Morales, Haubrich, Hwang, Asakura and Yen, reported in Clin. Endocrinol. vol. 49, l998. Journal pub. by Oxford U. Press.
**Serum Hormone Binding Globulin Levels.
***Insulin-like Growth Factor.

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