Energy Levels | A Metabolic Plan

DHEA has been studied for years and as we age our levels decline (in fact our level of DHEA may signify how fast we age).

As teenagers and young adults, our DHEA levels are at their peak until around age 35. Men notice the decline because they aren’t building the muscle they used to. Energy levels decrease. Exactly how many bodily functions DHEA affects isn’t known but there are about 150 that have been documented and some scientists believe it is over 400.

There is a new study out this month in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition which has shown that DHEA supplements along with calcium and Vitamin D improve bone density in older women. Osteoporosis (bone thinning) affects millions of older people, women in particular, as DHEA seems to decline more sharply as they go through menopause. This study shows DHEA stimulates bone formation and aides in calcium absorption when combined with Vitamin D and calcium supplementation.

Not only are DHEA levels important in improving bone density but severely low levels of DHEA are found in women with Lupus – again Lupus is common in women who have gone through menopause.
While many of the symptoms of menopause are caused by the loss of estrogen, there are also side effects associated with the drop in DHEA and testosterone in addition to bone density, including:

Decreased libido
Decreased strength
Decreased muscle mass
Decreased energy

Men also experience some of these symptoms of lower DHEA.

Increasing DHEA levels causes improvements in the whole endocrine system, lowers the risk for atherosclerosis, improves memory and learning ability. DHEA replacement may have other benefits including improvements in risk factors for diabetes and heart disease, improvements in immune function, and improvements in psychological health. The list goes on and on.

DHEA replacement can be an important part of your supplemental regime. Begin by getting a DHEA sulfate blood test – that’s the most accurate. If you’re over 30 and have low DHEA, you may want to consider supplementing with a small dose of DHEA/7 Keto DHEA. I recommend Univera’s Prime. Remember start slow and retest your levels in 60-90 days. You’re not going to notice a change overnight. And as always, check with your doctor.