Is DHEA a veritable 'fountain of youth' in a bottle?

A seeming miracle, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is known for its ability to turn back the hands of time, decrease fat storage, ease coronary heart disease and osteoporosis, alleviate depression and improve fertility and sexual arousal. But can supplementing with this natural steroid really provide a magical cure-all as many headlines claim? Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN, NP, takes a look at the enthusiasm surrounding DHEA and separates fact from fiction.

What exactly is DHEA?

A precursor to all major sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone and testosterone), DHEA is a steroid hormone synthesized from cholesterol and released by the adrenal glands. We produce the most DHEA in our 20s, and by the time we reach 70, production has been reduced to about 20 percent of what we had in our youth. When we have healthy levels of DHEA, we feel vibrant, clearheaded and joyful. There is also evidence that adequate DHEA may help ward off cancer, Alzheimer's and obesity. However, just as DHEA can prevent health issues, it can also disrupt balance when taken in supplemental form.