| ELIXR 21: DHEA, or Dehydroepiandrosterone, is a metabolite of cholesterol that is naturally produced by the adrenal glands.DHEA is the most abundant, naturally-occurring hormone in the human body, and is often referred to as the "Mother Hormone" because it acts as a precursor that the human body can convert DHEA, upon demand, into a host of other vital health-enhancing hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and corticosterone.DHEA is an important raw material from which the body manufactures hormones which are very important to normal physiological functions.DHEA levels normally decline markedly with age, so researchers are very interested in knowing if supplemental DHEA may have health-enhancing or anti-aging properties.DHEA blood levels reach their peak around age 20, then decline in a linear fashion, making it one of the most reliable markers for measuring biological aging. By age 80, DHEA blood levels have declined as much as 95%, signalling the onset of the aging process.DHEA is most abundant in the human bloodstream. Research has found it to have significant anti-aging effects. There is good reason to think that taking a DHEA supplement may extend your life and make you more youthful while you're alive. Additionally, DHEA may be an important player in cognitive enhancement. |