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Supplementing the diet with DHEA for adrenal fatigue recovery may be effective and safe.
Adrenal fatigue refers to the condition of having low adrenal gland function, also known as hypoadrenia.
Chronic stress, poor diet, lack of sleep and over-stimulation is believed to strain adrenal function and result in poor hormone balance, low energy levels, weight gain, brain fog and lack of motivation or drive.
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is used to support adrenal function by helping to balance the levels of other hormones like testosterone, growth hormone and estrogen.
In healthy people, DHEA has been shown to promote mood, increase energy, cognitive function and elevate subjective feelings of well-being. [1]
DHEA is a natural steroid hormone that acts as an intermediary in the synthesis of other steroid hormones. As an over-the-counter dietary supplement, it is commonly taken to support sexual health, physical strength and mental alertness.
While adrenal fatigue remains a controversial condition and is not recognized by many in the medical community, many natural health practitioners argue that taking DHEA can remedy symptoms and improve feelings of fatigue.
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DHEA is one of the hormones that is made by your adrenal glands. If these glands are overworked or not functioning properly, you may have low levels of DHEA in your blood.
Use of a DHEA supplement is designed to relieve some of the strain on your adrenal function by artificially boosting levels of this compound in the body. This can promote hormone balance and alleviate feelings of fatigue.
The term “adrenal fatigue” is used as a blanket name for the combined effects of physical, mental and emotional stress that can overwork the adrenals and subsequently leave you feeling tired all the time.
Some of the most common symptoms of adrenal fatigue include food cravings, not being able to get to sleep, difficulty staying asleep, difficulty waking up – and near-constant fatigue, even when able to sleep restfully. [1]
This condition was first described in 1998 by the naturopathic doctor and chiropractor Dr. James L. Wilson. He described the condition as resulting from long-term over-stimulating of the adrenals, causing impaired regulation of cortisol release.
Dr. Edward Group III states that lacking energy is one of the most common patient complaints that doctors hear. There are numerous possible causes for fatigue.
To date, there has not been any reliable clinical proof that DHEA works for adrenal fatigue. The available data is both limited and conflicting. [2]
What are the Adrenal Glands?
In humans, each kidney is paired with an adrenal gland. Each adrenal gland is about the size of a grape.
The kidneys and adrenals work with the thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, pancreas, pituitary gland and the testes/ovaries to make up the endocrine system.
The endocrine system is responsible for biosynthesizing and regulating all the hormones the body requires to properly modulate metabolism, fertility, appetite, sleep, healing, growth and all other biological and neurological functions.
Low DHEA Levels
One of the best ways to test for adrenal fatigue is to measure DHEA levels in the body. A saliva test can be used to determine levels in the body.
According to Dr. James L. Wilson, if DHEA, testosterone and cortisol levels are all low in the body, this is a sign of chronically decreased adrenal function.
If your hormones are imbalanced because of low DHEA levels, numerous adverse effects can result besides adrenal fatigue. Some of the most common of these are:
- Difficulty gaining and/or building lean muscle mass;
- Increased body fat percentage;
- Autoimmune diseases including autoimmune hepatitis;
- Feelings of frustration, nervousness and/or irritability;
- Inability to concentrate and/or memory loss;
- Poor resistance to infections;
- Dizziness upon standing up;
Some other possible effects of hormonal imbalance include poor skin health, allergies, headache, depression, hair loss and difficulty maintaining healthy blood glucose levels. [2]
DHEA Functions in the Body
The following are some of the known functions of the androgen hormone DHEA as reported by Dr. Joseph Mercola:
- Converted to both androgenic (male) and estrogenic (female) hormones;
- Prevents osteoporosis by stimulating bone remodeling and deposition;
- Lowers LDL and total cholesterol to improve cardiovascular health;
- Helps to increase muscle mass while decreasing fat mass;
- Helps with the conversion of T4 to T3 thyroid hormones;
- Acts as an anabolic male sex hormone (androgen);
- Improves resistance to harmful microbes;
Dr. Mercola says that DHEA also helps to reverse the adverse effects of excessive cortisol in the body. It may be helpful for improving sleep, vitality, mental clarity and other factors that can affect energy levels. [4]
DHEA may also help with adrenal fatigue because it is known to accelerate recovery from the damaging effects of stress. Some people experience improvements in the ability to exercise, muscle repair and sleep quality when taking a DHEA supplement. [2] [4]
Pregnenolone vs. DHEA
Pregnenolone is the biological precursor of DHEA. Although both of these compounds are believed to be beneficial for adrenal fatigue, the effects of DHEA are purported to be stronger, especially when considering the production of energy in the cells.
Both pregnenolone and DHEA levels are known to drop off sharply, starting any time after the age of 25. When pregnenolone and DHEA levels are insufficient, the body has difficulties manufacturing other hormones made from them. [2, 3]
Over time, the low levels of these important hormones lead to predictable health issues. These seem to stem mainly from increased adverse effects of stress, worsening of PMS/menopause symptoms, poor mood, poor immunity and chronic lack of energy. [2]
Dosage and How to Take
In many cases, pregnenolone and DHEA are used in conjunction to combat the symptoms of adrenal fatigue. These two prohormones act synergistically to boost energy metabolism and combat the effects of aging.
Dr. Lam states that 15 – 25 mg of pregnenolone used with 25 – 50 mg of DHEA daily can improve well-being, mood, libido and energy levels, especially in women.
He says that men are less sensitive to hormonal fluctuations and it may be more difficult to notice any symptom improvements in them. [3]
Before taking DHEA dosages for adrenal fatigue, discuss the best way to use this supplement with your doctor or naturopath beforehand.
Safety Warnings
Supplementing the diet with small amounts of pregnenolone and/or DHEA might help to lessen some of the symptoms of adrenal fatigue.
However, is important to know that even very small changes in hormone levels can yield significant biological effects. Any type of hormone supplementation should be approached carefully and in low doses.
Using DHEA for adrenal fatigue can also cause certain side effects as well as interactions with certain health conditions, foods, lab tests and herbal supplements.
Seek medical advice before attempting to treat adrenal fatigue with DHEA, pregnenolone or any other hormone replacement therapy. Very serious adverse effects can result from inappropriate usage.
Adrenal Fatigue vs Adrenal Insufficiency
According to Dr. Michael Lam, the symptoms of adrenal insufficiency are more dramatic than those of adrenal fatigue. Also called Addison’s disease, adrenal insufficiency is most commonly caused by nutritional deficiencies. [3]
In this condition, the glands lack the raw materials needed to manufacture a corticosteroid hormone called aldosterone. Aldosterone is used to increase sodium uptake into the kidneys, thereby modulating blood pressure and the balance of water and salt in the body. [2, 3]
Dr. Lam states that adrenal insufficiency normally begins with weakness, poor appetite and weight loss. He says about 50% of those with adrenal insufficiency will regularly experience nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Other possible symptoms of insufficiency include skin folding, low blood pressure and scar darkening. If this condition is left unattended, death can result. [2]
Article last updated on: July 10th, 2018 by Nootriment