When your hormones are out of balance, it can create a lot of unexpected results. DHEA or Dehydroepiandrosterone is a hormone naturally produced by the body, some of which is converted into estrogen and testosterone within the body.
This naturally-occurring hormone is not produced at the same steady pace with age, however, so a supplement may be necessary.
Decreases in DHEA have been associated with depression, fatigue, heart disease, and even mortality.
If you’re having trouble losing weight, imbalances in your hormones may be the culprit!
Since levels begin to decrease as early as age 30, supplementing DHEA is a smart idea. Choose the best DHEA supplement for women to restore balance to your hormones and improve your health.
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What Are the Advantages of DHEA Supplementation?
DHEA is a popular supplement for people looking to “reverse” the signs of aging, boosting cognitive function, immunity, and even muscle strength. These benefits of DHEA have not yet been heavily studied, however, and are considered to be more of off-label uses for DHEA.
DHEA has been studied and widely used as a treatment for a number of other conditions, including but not limited to menopause, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Although the results are not yet entirely clear, many people have reported positive results, especially those who have a measurable decline in their DHEA levels.
Lower DHEA levels are also associated with lower bone density and increased bone fractures, so taking DHEA may help to increase bone density, especially in women.
Some research studies have shown that when taking DHEA for one or two years, bone density has improved.
Studies have also shown that there is a complex relationship between DHEA, menopause and depression. While this relationship is as yet unclear, what is known is that supplementing DHEA can aid in the symptoms associated with depression according to studies.
DHEA has also been found to aid in alleviating issues with fertility, sexual function and libido issues in both women and men, likely due to the fact that DHEA impacts the level of estrogen and testosterone in the body.
These studies indicate that both low-dose and high-dose DHEA can have an impact on sexual function in women in the short- and long-term.
If you believe that you may have an issue relating to your DHEA levels and that supplementing DHEA may have a benefit to you, speaking to your physician may be the first step.
Testing your DHEA levels will help you determine whether or not a deficiency exists and will help you determine what level of supplementation will be ideal.
How to Use DHEA Supplements
DHEA supplements are available in dosages of anywhere between 10mg and 500mg, largely depending on the specific purpose you’re taking it for.
The most common dosage for DHEA supplementation, however, is between 25mg and 50mg per day.
According to WebMD, most studies involving the benefits of DHEA supplementation have involved between 25mg and 200mg per day, depending on what medical condition or issue is being treated in the study.
It is recommended that you take your supplements in the early hours of the morning, which is generally when your body is also producing DHEA naturally.
Women who are pregnant should not generally supplement DHEA without authorization from their physician.
If you are thinking about adding a DHEA supplement to your regimen, consult a physician to determine what dosage is right for you. Your physician will be able to determine how much DHEA loss you are experiencing to best determine a proper dosage for supplementation.
How to Choose the Best DHEA Supplement for Women
Your primary goal when choosing a DHEA supplement begins with reading and understanding the label. As a consumer the label will give you an opportunity to investigate further what specifically is in your supplement, as well as whether the recommended dosage for your product is correct.
Another thing the label will be able to tell you is whether the supplement has been certified by United States Pharmacopeia or USP, or Good Manufacturing Practices or GMP. USP and GMP certifications are designed specifically to indicate that supplements such as DHEA meet the standards set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for supplements.
- Brand: Try to choose a brand that you find to be well known and likeable. If you already take supplements from a well-known brand that also offers DHEA, it may be worthwhile to try their DHEA supplement as well.
- Dosage: Make sure that the brand you are considering offers the specific dosage that you are considering.
It may be worthwhile to choose an option that comes in a smaller dosage, as it is easier to double up on smaller capsules, such as to take two 25mg capsules, than to try splitting a 50mg capsule.
- Other Ingredients: Pay close attention to the other ingredients in the supplement as well. Typical other ingredients may include cellulose, silica, magnesium stearate, cellulose gum, gum acacia, maltodextrin, and gelatin.
If you have any sensitivities, the ingredients are especially important. Some DHEA supplements contain soy or gluten ingredients, for example. Make sure you check for soy-free or gluten-free DHEA supplements if you have a sensitivity.
It will benefit you to compare a couple of different DHEA supplements for women to determine which will best meet your needs.
Product Reviews
Natrol DHEA
Natrol is a well-known brand when it comes to natural food supplements, and it tends to receive positive reviews among consumers. Natrol avoids additives and other unnecessary properties, and all Natrol products have been backed by the Natural Products Association.
Natrol DHEA does not contain yeast, corn, wheat, egg, soy, gluten, or sugar and contains no artificial colors, preservatives, or sweeteners.
Pros:
- Available both in capsules and tablets.
- Also contains calcium!
- Available in several different dosages; ranging from 10mg to 50mg.
- Made without any unnecessary additives or substances such as sweeteners or colors.
- Cost-effective, especially when buying in larger quantities.
Cons:
- Capsules are only available in 25mg, other dosages are available in tablet form.
BulkSupplements Pure DHEA
If you’re a bodybuilder, a professional athlete, or otherwise looking for straight DHEA without any additives, this might be the way to go because it is pure DHEA in powder form.
The manufacturer offers the powder in a number of sizes, ranging from 10g to 5kg packages, and you would then need to carefully measure out your dosage.
Pros:
- It’s possible to measure out the exact dosage you want.
- Completely free from all additives, including soy, gluten, sugar, preservatives, and colors.
Cons:
- If you aren’t precise with your measuring, you may get inconsistent results.
- Can only be measured in milligrams, making it difficult to get used to at first.
- It is especially important that you consult your physician before experimenting with your own DHEA levels if you are hand-measuring your dosages!
Life Extension DHEA
LifeExtension has been GMP registered with NSF International. LifeExtension prides itself on the ability to provide a wide array of different supplements using raw, all-natural ingredients. As a result, many athletes and bodybuilders recommend this brand for a variety of different supplements, and DHEA is no exception. LifeExtension DHEA is available in 15mg, 25mg, and 50mg.
There is also a 7-Keto Complete version of the supplement which is available in a 50mg and a 100mg variety.
Pros:
- Available in several different dosages ranging from 15mg to 50mg.
- Vegetarian and vegan friendly.
- Ingredients are both raw and all-natural, avoiding fillers and artificial ingredients.
- Regarded as a physician-recommended brand.
Cons:
- Tends to carry a higher price tag as compared to other brands.
- For dissolvable tablets their flavor is less than desirable.
Jarrow Formulas DHEA
Jarrow Formulas is a health and wellness brand which is known for offering an extensive variety of vitamins and minerals along with other supplements. Jarrow Formulas offers DHEA in dosages ranging from 10mg to 100mg for their 7-Keto line.
They boast peanut and tree nut free products, and their products are also free of wheat and gluten, soy and soybeans, eggs, dairy and shellfish.
Pros:
- Vegetarian and vegan friendly.
- Comes in several different dosage options.
- Cost-effective, especially when buying in larger quantities.
- Available in as small as 10mg dosage.
- No artificial ingredients, and also free from all major additives including soy, egg, airy, shellfish, gluten, and wheat.
Country Life Vitamins DHEA
Country Life Vitamins are USDA Organic as well as GMP certified, providing a variety of different supplements and vitamins that are geared toward wellness and good health. They have an in-house laboratory through which it tests its vitamins and supplements, aiming to provide accurate quality control methods to distribute safe and healthy products.
Pros:
- Vegetarian and vegan friendly.
- Available in 10mg and 25 mg sizes which are purported to be geared toward men and women.
- Utilizes wind power manufacturing and other socially responsible manufacturing.
Cons:
- Apparently not every batch is pharmaceutically pure.
- May not be as cost-effective as some other brands.
Our Choice
Unless there is a specific reason to choose another brand or form, the clear winner from the roundup is Jarrow Formulas DHEA because it offers a solid price tag for the quantity of doses, as well as a number of different dosage options to choose from.
There are no glaring issues with the formulation, and Jarrow Formulas DHEA offers vegetarian and vegan friendly DHEA supplements which are free of major allergens and additives.
It may be necessary to choose a different form of DHEA if one is recommended by your physician, or if you are looking for a unique dosage measurement, in which case this brand won’t be ideal for you. However, if you are simply looking to find the best DHEA supplement at a good price, this is a solid choice.
Ultimately, you should go with your gut, and choose the brand that you feel most comfortable with. Your physician may also be able to recommend a brand that has worked for other patients in the past.
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