OBJECTIVES: To determine whether serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels could predict longevity in residents.
DESIGN: Prospective community-based cohort study.
SETTING: Community.
PARTICIPANTS: Nine hundred forty subjects (396 men, 544 women; aged 21 to 88) underwent a health examination in 1978. Serum DHEAS levels were measured according to radioimmunoassay at baseline in all subjects, and subjects were followed periodically until 2005.
RESULTS: Baseline DHEAS levels were higher in men than in women and decreased with age in both sexes. In a Cox proportional hazards model, age, DHEAS (inversely), blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose were significantly associated with shorter longevity in men but not in women. Of these variables, high DHEAS levels in men were the strongest predictor of longevity (beta=-2.032, hazard ratio=0.131, 95% confidence interval=0.029-0.584 in the Cox proportional hazards model after adjustment for age).
The Kaplan-Meier survival curve, stratified according to tertiles of DHEAS levels, in men after adjustments for age, systolic blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose showed significantly (log-rank stat =10.6; P<.001) greater longevity in the highest group (200 mug/dL) than in the moderate (130-199 mug/dL) or lowest groups (129 mug/dL).
CONCLUSION: This 27-year study in a community-based cohort indicated that DHEAS level may be a predictor of longevity in men, independent of age, blood pressure, and plasma glucose.
Meditation, perhaps different types of meditation, may help to raise DHEA levels and lower cortisol levels.
Quote:
As discussed above, a randomized controlled study on elderly individuals found that Transcendental Meditation led to improvements in mental and physical health and well-being, cognitive and perceptual abilities, and longevity [57]. Compared to controls, middle-aged and older individuals practising Transcendental Meditation have been found to maintain higher levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-s), a hormone which declines steadily throughout adult life. Low levels of DHEA-s have been linked with a variety of diseases and with increased mortality. On average, DHEA-s levels in people practising Transcendental Meditation were comparable to levels of non-meditators who were 5-10 years younger-a difference that could not be explained by variations in diet, weight, or exercise habits [150].
The 1st supplement that I take in the morning is DHEA. I have a lady cyberfriend that does the same, but she has a side effect, causing an insatiable urge to drive her Porsche Carrera 140 mph.
__________________
For now we see through a glass, darkly.... 1st Corinthians 13:12
Have you noticed any positive (or negative) effects that you attribute to your DHEA supplementation? How long have you been taking it? What dosage do you use?
Yes, I think it helps keep me strong and in a good mood. I use the bulk powder and I use a level 'smidgen' spoon, which I think is close to 100mg. Been taking it for over 15 years. Have a few minor pimples on my shoulders and back. I stocked up on DHEA when I read that McCain and some other powerful politicians were trying to pull it from the shelves.
Last edited by Iggy Dalrymple; 04-22-2008 at 07:33 PM.
Read what James M Howard, independent biologist has to say about DHEA. He claims that DHEA is the cause of large brains in humans. He says that excessive testosterone causes reduced levels of DHEA. Howard associates excessive testosterone and deficient DHEA with prison populations. Howard associates low DHEA with low IQ. He claims that racial variations in IQ are explained by excessive testosterone and DHEA deficiency.
Quote:
High testosterone and low DHEA... again
posted by James Michael Howard on 23 Feb 2006 at 3:10 pm It is my hypothesis that the "secular trend," the increase in size and earlier puberty of children, is caused by an increase in the percentage of individuals of higher testosterone with the population with time. This is driven by an increase in the percentage of women of higher testosterone.
Testosterone may be connected with diabetes and obesity which are increasing with time in the population. I suggest the actual cause of this increased morbidity is due to reduced DHEA. Testosterone may be shown to reduce DHEA.
Therefore, as pointed out in the article, women of increasing testosterone are increasing and so are their characteristics, such as gestational diabetes. During pregnancy a mother provides DHEA for herself and her fetus. Her testosterone reduces the overall DHEA which triggers her diabetes as her fetus uses part of her DHEA. Also, DHEA naturally begins to decline from age 20 onward. Pregnancies after age 20, therefore, increase the probability of gestational diabetes as DHEA declines and a mother shares her DHEA with her fetus. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/your...opinionid=8298
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEAS) and Risk for Mortality Among Older
Taiwanese.
Glei DA, Goldman N.
>From the Department of Demography, University of California, Berkeley, CA
(D.A.G.); and Office of Population Research, Princeton University,
Princeton, NJ (N.G.).
PURPOSE: Studies based on Western populations showed a negative
relationship between dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) level and
mortality, but no study examined this relationship in a non-Western
country. We use data from a large, nationally representative sample (n =
963) of older Taiwanese to investigate whether serum DHEAS, predicts
subsequent mortality during a 3-year period (2000 to 2003) and whether an
effect remains after controlling for baseline health status. METHODS:
Baseline data collection included an individual interview, physical
examination, and blood sample. A logit model is used to test the
relationship between DHEAS level and risk for mortality, controlling for
age, sex, and smoking status. RESULTS: Results show a marginally
significant inverse relationship between DHEAS level and 3-year mortality
risk. Participants with low DHEAS levels (<54.5 mug/dL) have 64% greater
odds of dying than those with higher DHEAS levels (p < 0.06). After
adjusting for various indicators of health status in 2000, the odds ratio
(OR) for low DHEAS level remains substantial (OR = 1.41), but not
statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Although the analysis is limited by
the short follow-up and small number of deaths, results are consistent with
the notion that DHEAS level has a sizeable effect on mortality.https://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Arch.../msg00020.html
Quote:
Increasing Testosterone, the ?Secular Trend,? may be Increasing Atrial
Fibrillation
Copyright 2006, James Michael Howard, Fayetteville, Arkansas, U.S.A.
?This study confirms previously observed trends of increasing AF [atrial
fibrillation] prevalence?? Heart 2005
It is my hypothesis that the "secular trend," the increase in size and
earlier puberty in children, is caused by an increase in the percentage of
individuals of higher testosterone over time within the population. It is
also my hypothesis that "atrial fibrillation" is caused by low DHEA. The
incidence of AF increases with age; DHEA naturally begins to decline around
age 20 reaching very low levels in old age. There are also indications
that anabolic steroids may trigger AF. Testosterone may be shown to
increase DHEAS, the source from which DHEA is converted. Higher DHEAS may
indicate that DHEA is low. Conversely, if DHEAS is low, DHEA may also be
low as less is converted from low DHEAS. Low DHEAS has been connected with
atrial fibrillation (Exp Gerontol. 2002 May;37(5):701-12).
I suggest the reason atrial fibrillation is increasing may be due to an
increase in the percentage of individuals of higher testosterone and,
therefore, the adverse effects on levels of DHEA. As DHEA levels decline
in the population, atrial fibrillation may be increasing with time. https://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Arch.../msg00001.html
Increase in Male Homosexuality Reported by the CDC
An increase in male homosexuality has just been reported by the Centers for
Disease Control in Atlanta (Sexually Transmitted Diseases 2002;29:643-646, https://www.stdjournal.com/ ). The authors, Anderson and Stall, suggest the
standard caveats regarding the basis of these findings, i.e., this finding may
be simply more openness in reporting, increased acceptance, etc. However, since
this may represent a real increase, I was encouraged to report my explanation of
male homosexuality since my explanation automatically generates the suggestion
of an increase in male homosexuality. For anyone interested, here it is:
In 1985, I developed an hypothesis (copyrighted) of male homosexuality that
produced predictions. These predictions have since been supported. My
explanation is very lengthy; for sake of brevity I am including the significant
part regarding the predictions. As you read this, you should know that, earlier
in my treatise, I said this: "As I have suggested, DHEA is directly responsible
for growth and differentiation of the brain." In the context of homosexuality, I
was saying that reduced DHEA will reduce growth of specific areas of the brain
that determine sexuality. In the fetus, the ratio of DHEA to estrone, which I
mention in the following quotation, is determined by the mother, as the adrenal
glands of the fetus do not function until birth.
"Results indicate that the fetal adrenal activity increases independently of the
maternal adrenal cortex at term and plays an important role in the onset of
labour." (Orv. Hetil. 1987; 128: 2153).
Not all human fetuses are exposed to molecules of the type that I have been
discussing. I propose that the hormone which induces homosexuality in humans is
estrone. This hormone could induce alterations in critical function of the
receptors during critical periods. Estrone is only one conversion step away from
DHEA in the enzymatic syntheses in the adrenal glands. Remember that DHEA
sulfate is the chief precursor molecule of estrone. [Here I meant the mother.]
During the genesis of the nervous system, a ratio of DHEA/estrone might occur
abnormally in the fetus. This would continue throughout life. The amount of
DHEA/estrone would determine the degree of influence from slight to the syndrome
of homosexuality. To further clarify this, later in my treatise, I suggested:
"It is important to differentiate here between the asexual male and the
homosexual. The person of low DHEA without estrone production, might very well
become asexual.
For this argument I want to demonstrate that a number of these predictions have
been supported, subsequent to 1985. The effects of DHEA on growth and
differentiation of neurons was reported in 1987.
"In the present study, using methods of immunocytochemistry, autoradiography,
and scanning electron microscopy, we show that a supplement of as little as
10(-8) M DHEA or DHEA-S greatly increases neuronal survival and differentiation
and reduces astroglial proliferation rates in mouse brain cells in cultures."
(J. Neurosci. Res. 1987; 17(3): 225)
In 1992, a study of homosexual men, during progressive stages of AIDS,
determined that DHEA is low and estrone high. As you read the following
quotation, notice the use of the word "all." "The serum DHEA sulfate values of
all groups of HIV+ patients were lower than those of controls.
The serum E1
[estrone] and E2 [estradiol] were elevated 30-50% (p<0.01) in all groups of HIV+
patients." (J. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 1992; 5: 841)
So, I suggest that male homosexuality results, in utero, from an increased ratio
of estrone to DHEA. This combination results in the increased growth, and
reduced growth of other structures, in the male homosexual brain. Furthermore,
my hypothesis can be extended to explain the current rise in homosexuality.
While I think the current "climate" of increased acceptance of homosexuality may
account for more acknowledging their homosexuality, I think the current increase
is due to an evolutionary phenomenon.
My theory of human evolution suggests that testosterone is currently rising. I
suggest testosterone periodically rises in civilizations, and this increased
testosterone causes a number of phenomena, including an increase in
homosexuality. If you understood my explanation of increases in estrone in the
mother as the cause of male homosexuality, then some connection of testosterone
and estrone should exist. This has been confirmed. In the following report, a
positive correlation was found between testosterone and "unconjugated and total
estrone."
"Serum androgens, estrogens, 'steroid-sensitive proteins', thyroid components,
and albumin were measured twice within a 4-5 week interval in 44 cases of early
normal pregnancy (gestational weeks 8-18). Positive correlations were found in
the total material between dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS) and
testosterone (T), unconjugated and total estrone, albumin, tetraiodothyronine,
and calculated free tetraiodothyronine concentrations and within 2-week
intervals between DHAS and T, estradiol-17 beta, and unconjugated and total
estrone, and between T and estradiol-17 beta and unconjugated estrone."
(Gynecol. Obstet. Invest. 1995; 40(3):145)
I suggest that the current rise in male homosexuality is the result of increased
testosterone in women. It is known that the phenomenon known as the "secular
trend" is occurring here. The secular trend is characterized by increased size
in our children, male and female, and an earlier onset of puberty. I suggest the
secular trend is driven by increased testosterone and the rise in male
homosexuality is a result of this.
James Michael Howard
Fayetteville, Arkansas, U.S.A.
L’Or�al-Recherche, 90 rue du G�n�ral Roguet, 92583 Clichy Cedex, France.
OBJECTIVES: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid hormone involved in physiological aging. When administered by oral route, it has been shown to positively affect skin condition on aged people. The purpose of this pilot study was to observe the in vivo effects on skin aging of topical DHEA (1%).
METHODS: The DHEA formulation (1%) or the vehicle was topically applied for 4 months to facial and hand skin, in two groups of 20 post-menopausal women. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated on the basis of clinical and biophysical signs linked to skin aging.
RESULTS: We showed that DHEA treatment increased the rate of sebum, which was perceived rather positively by a menopausal population usually affected with a declining sebum level. Topical DHEA tends to improve skin brightness, to counteract papery appearance of skin and epidermal atrophy, a characteristic feature of hormone-related skin aging. Topical DHEA could also act on skin process related to wrinkles, but this result remains to be confirmed.
CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study showed beneficial effects on skin characteristics that are rarely provided by topical treatments. It raised some interesting clues towards the treatment of skin aging.
I am a 26 year old female with DHEA levels of 1200. My endo doesn't know why. We thought it was because of my Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome but my C-Peptide levels are normal. My CT showed not signs of anything wrong with my adrenal glands. My testoserone is ok at a level of 50. I do not know what to do about this and would like to find a natural way to lower my levels.
Also, what are the dangers of living with extremely high DHEA?