Page 5 - The DHEA Debate - Life Extensions Magazine

repair, and the model holds true on every level, from the sub-microscopic realm of DNA to the
cell, organs, and the entire organism.
With this understanding, DHEA plays a critical role because it is the most comprehensive
anabolic (repair) signal in the human body. It can therefore help to tip the see-saw in your favor
by supporting repair functions throughout the body and brain. Moreover, DHEA has been shown
to reduce cellular damage via its antioxidant and immune-stimulating activity.

Another long-term factor contributing to “the DHEA advantage” arises from a reduction in stress
hormone-related catabolic damage. Elevated stress hormones and low DHEA are strongly
associated with immune suppression, depression, brain degeneration, and even
dementia.31,32 Conversely, DHEA supplementation has been shown to effectively reduce this
type of degeneration.33

Naysayer: Still, the only intervention that has been proven to slow or reverse the aging process
is calorie restriction.

Stephen Cherniske: You’re right that calorie restriction can prevent disease, maintain health and
youth in animals at advanced ages, and even extend maximal life span to the human equivalent
of 140 years.
But one of the most remarkable observations seen in calorie-restricted animals, including
primates, is that the treatment raises DHEA levels.34 In fact, some leading endocrinologists
believe that the improvements in health and longevity from calorie restriction stem in great part
from the life-long maintenance of DHEA.35-37 Again, these are long-term influences on
immunity, glucose tolerance, body composition, and cardiovascular risk factors that would be
missed in short-term studies.

DHEA AND WELL BEING: STUDY ABSTRACT
“This study evaluated the efficacy of the adrenal androgen, dehydroepiandrosterone, in the
treatment of midlife-onset dysthymia. A double-blind, randomized crossover treatment study
was performed as follows: 3 weeks on 90 mg dehydroepiandrosterone, 3 weeks on 450 mg
dehydroepiandrosterone, and 6 weeks on placebo. Outcome measures consisted of the
following. Cross-sectional self-ratings included the Beck Depression Inventory and visual
analogue symptom scales. Cross-sectional objective ratings included the Hamilton Depression
Rating Scale, the Cornell Dysthymia Scale and a cognitive test battery. Seventeen men and
women aged 45 to 63 years with midlife-onset dysthymia participated in this study. Response to
dehydroepiandrosterone or placebo was defined as a 50% reduction from baseline in either the
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale or the Beck Depression Inventory.

RESULTS: In 15 patients who completed the study, a robust effect of dehydroepiandrosterone
on mood was observed compared with placebo. Sixty percent of the patients responded to
dehydroepiandrosterone at the end of the 6-week treatment period compared with 20% on
placebo. A significant response was seen after 3 weeks of treatment on 90 mg per day. The
symptoms that improved most significantly were anhedonia, loss of energy, lack of motivation,
emotional “numbness,” sadness, inability to cope, and worry.
CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests that dehydroepiandrosterone is an effective
treatment for midlife-onset dysthymia.”21
21. Bloch M, Schmidt PJ, Danaceau MA, Adams LF, Rubinow DR. Dehydroepiandrosterone
treatment of midlife dysthymia. Biological Psychiatry. 1999 Jun 15;45(12):1533-41

Naysayer: That’s just it. There doesn’t seem to be any long-term studies to back up the anti-
aging claims for DHEA.