Читать книгу Anti-Aging Therapeutics Volume XV - A4M American Academy - Страница 14

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is the most abundant steroid in the human body and is involved in the manufacture of testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and corticosterone.

There is evidence to suggest that DHEA may stimulate human growth hormone (HGH). Morales et al⁴⁷ published results of a double blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study involving 71 women and 13 men, ages of 40 to 70 years. Subjects took 50 mg of DHEA for three months, followed by a placebo for three months. While subjects were receiving DHEA, their levels of DHEA and DHEA-S rose to that of a young adult within 2 weeks of DHEA replacement and were sustained throughout the 3 months of the study. Furthermore 84% of women and 67% of men reported an improved sense of both physical and psychological well-being, including improved sleep quality, increased energy levels, improved ability to handle stress, and increased sense of relaxation. Five of the volunteers also noted improvement in chronic joint pain and mobility. The researchers also found that DHEA caused a significant rise in IGF-1 levels, although it did not affect the 24-hour measurement of HGH levels. They speculate that restoring the levels of DHEA may stimulate the liver to produce more IGF-1 or generate more HGH receptors. In other words, we may find that the anti-aging benefits attributed to DHEA may actually be due to the stimulation of the HGH-IGF-1 system.

When²² DHEA levels are in an optimal range, there can be less risk of developing atherosclerosis. Rabijewski⁴⁸ found that DHEA could lower insulin levels and decrease the risk for developing type II diabetes. DHEA also decreases the risk of cancer because it enhances the immune system response. DHEA is also thought to be neuroprotective.

Prof. Etienne-Emile Baulieu, world known researcher and endocrinologists at INSERM in Paris, former president of the French Academy of science,Honorary member of College of France, known for his work on contraception and on steroid hormones was the first to synthesize DHEA in the sixties. Prof. Baulieu conducted numerous conclusive researches on the efficiency and benefits of DHEA. His findings underline the systematic positive results of administrating DHEA in his experimental and clinical studies, especially in men. His findings demonstrate that 50 mg of DHEA in 280 participants during a year had significantly improved their bone mass, skin thickness and pigmentation, as well as the libido in both men and women, the general physical and mental well-being were improved too.^49,50 In an interview for a study on anti-aging medicine, Prof. Baulieu declares: “One of the most important effects of DHEA has not yet received enough attention: it acts on the receptors of neurotransmitters. There are very encourageing research on the well being and improvement of memory in old age”⁵¹