Connecticut DHEA Hormone Imbalance Treatment
DHEA, short for Dehydroepiandrosterone, is the most common hormone in the human body. It is made in the adrenal glands from cholesterol and is a precursor to estrogen, progesterone and testosterone production. Medical research has proven a correlation between elevated DHEA levels and longevity.
Low levels, on the other hand, create a host of problems including a depressed immune system, insulin resistance which can increase the likelihood of diabetes, and increased risk for cancer and heart disease. Due to these issues, it may be beneficial to discuss hormone imbalance treatment with your doctor.
Factors Impacting DHEA Production
Like all hormones, dehydroepiandrosterone production is impacted by age. Production begins to decrease around 30, at age 50 levels may be only half of what they were in the early 20’s, and by the time a person is 80 they have lost 95% of their DHEA production capability. Chronic stress is another significant factor and lowers DHEA levels while increasing cortisol. Cortisol, like adrenaline, is an important response to an emergency situation; however, continual cortisol release can result in a greater susceptibility to illness and a condition known as adrenal fatigue.
The adrenal glands are hormone factories which impact every aspect of life. They respond to all forms of stress including emergencies, worry, substance abuse, illness and chronic physical conditions. Medications containing corticosteroids may also create adrenal fatigue by suppressing the normal cortisol production in the glands. As the fatigue sets in the natural hormone production is also depressed, and one of the side effects is lower DHEA levels.
Common Myths
Dehydroepiandrosterone is one of the most abundant hormones in the human body. It’s actually a prohormone, a precursor hormone that initiates the biosynthesis of sex hormones and certain adrenal hormones. Declining DHEA levels as we age are believed to be a leading cause of hormone imbalance.
Restoring healthy levels with DHEA hormone imbalance treatment in Connecticut can have such a positive impact on health that some large pharmaceutical companies launched a campaign of misinformation about hormone replacement therapy, and DHEA supplements in particular.
Myth #1: DHEA Does Nothing to Combat the Effects of Aging
While it’s true that nothing will make a 70-year-old look and feel 20 again, correcting the natural decline in DHEA levels as we age can combat many of the internal and external signs of aging. In a French study, subjects taking 50 mg per day of DHEA showed:
- Increased hydration and sebum (oil) production in the skin
- Decreased age spots and a more “rosy” skin tone in the face
- Improved skin texture and thickness
Myth #2: DHEA Won’t Help You Lose Weight
Balanced, healthy hormones are absolutely crucial in maintaining a healthy weight. Diet and exercise are, of course, key factors in weight loss. However, DHEA helps to combat the high levels of cortisol our bodies produce under stress.
High cortisol levels cause our bodies to greedily hold tight to every gram of fat stores it can. This natural response serves well in a survival situation, but makes it nearly impossible to shed excess fat without the balancing effects of a healthy dehydroepiandrosterone levels.
Benefits of Therapy
Restoring healthy DHEA levels through Connecticut DHEA treatment can have a tremendous impact on quality of life. One of the first benefits people experience is increased energy, greater immunity and renewed sexual desire. Some studies have also shown the higher levels of DHEA decrease bone loss, increase insulin sensitivity, and reduced total cholesterol, LDL and HDL levels, and lower triglycerides. Others indicate that DHEA may also help with depression, obesity, lupus and skin condition. A one year study actually showed an increase in bone density among participants.
Dehydroepiandrosterone has become a focus of anti-aging research as well. One study tracked a group of women between the ages of 40 and 60 who were given DHEA supplements for a period of six months. At the conclusion, almost 85% of the women reported improvement in their overall physical well-being as well as in their cognitive functions.
