Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is the most prevalent, naturally occurring hormone in body. DHEA function s as the counterpart to the stress hormone cortisol. Healthy DHEA levels help balance the catabolic effects of cortisol.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid hormone secreted primarily by the adrenal glands and, to a lesser extent, by the testes and ovaries. DHEA and its sulfate are the most abundant steroid hormones in the human body and can be found in blood, saliva, urine and cerebrospinal fluid. DHEA serves as a “buffer” reservoir to be used for the intracellular synthesis of various estrogens and androgens throughout the human body. DHEA production peaks during the second decade of life. Beginning in the early 30s, DHEA levels typically decline by 10% per decade. In addition to the normal decline associated with aging, other possible causes of a decline in DHEA production include inflammation, blood sugar imbalances, as well as long-term stress.