DHEA Side Effects

Are there side effects of DHEA?

What are some of the DHEA side effects?

There are a few DHEA side effects you should know about, however let's first get a clear overview before we discuss the negatives.

Like with all types of supplements, if this is something you need, the benefits will usually always outweight the side effects.

This is a hormone found in women and men. There are benefits of DHEA, but anytime you alter your natural hormone levels, side effects may occur.

Similar to almost every supplement out there, too much of anything is not good. This certainly applies to DHEA.

Also, there will always be people who will benefit more than others.

What is DHEA?

DHEA is short for Dehydroepiandrosterone... for the sake of keeping this article readable, let's just stick with DHEA.

In your body, DHEA is one of the most abundant steroid hormones.

It is an androgen. Androgens are male sex hormones responsible for male characteristics.

As you age, you produce less DHEA. When you hit 40 or so, your levels start to decline. Because of this, supplementing DHEA for people aged 40 and above can help with general health, and building muscle mass.

What are some of the benefits?

The odds of me guessing how you first learned about DHEA are pretty low.

I wouldn't make that kind of bet.

The reason is because DHEA has been marketed in many many ways. Everything from keeping your heart and immune system healthy, to helping you lose fat and build muscle.

What have the studies said?

Unfortunately the studies don't perfectly align with the marketed benefits.

In reality it's like that for many supplements. Some of the claims have no reliable evidence backing them up.

If you're a younger man or woman looking to lose weight or build muscle, there are better options out there.

There is conflicting studies that show any benefit on weight loss or muscle mass in younger individuals.

One of the major alarms is that most studies showing any muscle gain in younger individuals used a very high dosage. Too much DHEA can lead to side effects.

Who should take this supplement?

Older people have experienced better results with DHEA.

As you age, your body produces less of these types of hormones.

Just as a side note....

DHEA alone won't give you the best results. It's always best to combine these supplements with some sort of exercise, especially weight training.

Supplementing with DHEA can have a positive effect on your aging.

When you hit your mid 30s to 40s, your DHEA levels start to tamper off and you begin to notice yourself aging.

By the time you reach 70 or 80, most of your DHEA levels are gone.

If you're older than 35, and you're concerned with your aging, DHEA might be right for you.

You will also have less DHEA side effects because your natural levels are low. Pumping DHEA into a body that already has normal amounts can lead to problems.

The first thing to do is to get a blood test. A blood test will conclude your DHEA levels and you can compare them to benchmark levels.

If you're over 35 to 40 you may benefit from DHEA as a general health supplement.

You might not lose significant weight or build lots of muscle, but you will have better energy levels and feel better all around.

How much should you take?

Always check the dosage that is recommended.

Studies have shown even low amounts can be beneficial. Anywhere from 25 to 100 mg per day should be enough.

It's safe to stick to a dosage that is below 100 mg per day.

Are you looking to build muscle or lose weight?

If you're a younger person who is relatively healthy and just looking to lose weight or build muscle, you probably won't benefit from taking DHEA.

Check out some of the muscle building supplements, or the fastest way to lose weight for more specific information.

What are some of the side effects of taking DHEA?

There may be problems with high dosages of DHEA.

Any supplement that can alter your hormones can lead to side effects.

People react differently to supplements, especially these types of hormone supplements.

For the most part, sticking to a low dosage will generally not cause you any problems. However, taking too much, or taking this supplement while on other medications can be dangerous.

As a simple guideline, consult with your doctor before giving these supplements a try. If you have a pre medical condition it is definitely worth the time to check with your doctor.

Here are some of the DHEA side effects that have been found: