DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is promoted as an antiaging products and is the most hyped product on the health food store shelves.
DHEA is suppose to have effects from increased sex drive to higher energy levels and since it is a precursor to testosterone it is suppose to help with building muscle and burning fat. DHEA is naturally secreated by the adrenal glands and is the most abundant steriod in the bloodstream (DHEA levels also decline with age which is why people supplement with DHEA).
Side Effects: Several publications claim issues regarding DHEA these include: liver abnormalities, increased cancer risk (prostate in men and breast in women) and other steroid-like effects (increased facial hair, acne, mood swings)
Does it work? There have been no long term human experiments with it. Like most overhyped supplements most of the studies are conducted with rats and is hard to believe since we aren't rats ;) .
Advice: Don't take it, once you play with your hormone levels you could be flirting with physiological disaster.
Please visit: http://www.supplementwatch.com/supatoz/supplement.asp?supplementId=102 for a more detailed description.