DHEA, dehydroepiandrosterone, has lately been touted as a natural anti-aging supplement. DHEA is a natural steroid hormone. It is produced from cholesterol in the body, and is manufactured by the adrenal glands. DHEA is chemically similar to estrogen and testosterone (the two main sex hormones in adults) and DHEA is easily converted to either of these hormones.

DHEA production peaks in early adulthood and declines afterward, in both men and women. Advocates of DHEA have long said that boosting levels of this hormone can slow down, or reverse entirely, the effects of aging.

A new study from the Mayo Clinic & University of Padua says this just isn’t so.

In this study, researchers followed 87 men and 57 women over the course of two years. All participants were at least 60 years old. The women were given either daily doses of DHEA or identical placebo. The men were given placebo or DHEA, plus a testosterone skin patch or a placebo skin patch.

Blood samples were taken every three months, along with examinations for changes in hormone levels, body fat, and physical performance on tasks such as weightlifting, treadmill use, and flexibility. Those in the study were also asked to complete surveys about their subjective sense of well being and quality of life.

DHEA levels and testosterone levels increased in both the men and the women in the study, but this increase did not translate into improved physical performance, better quality of life, or improvement in the body’s capacity to metabolize blood sugar.

Increased testosterone helped both men and women reduce body fat, slightly, but there were no similar gains related to the DHEA treatment. 

DHEA did seem to improve bone density, slightly, in the arm and neck, but not in the back or hips. At best, DHEA shows some minor, almost insignificant, improvement in bone density.

Since DHEA is treated as a supplement, and not a drug, it is not regulated by the FDA. While no harmful side effects were noted, it doesn’t mean that DHEA is safe to take.

A better strategy to prevent aging would be to improve your diet, get more exercise, and reduce your stress.

And it costs less, too.