Intro: Wouldn’t it be great to take a supplement that can slow the effects of aging? There is one on the market and you can buy it at most health food stores. It’s called DHEA for short and some say it can help your body feel and younger and function better. Does it work? A study from Mayo Clinic has the answer.
YOU CAN’T SLOW DOWN THE PASSAGE OF TIME.
“I GET FACIALS PROBABLY ONCE A MONTH.”
SOME TRY TO HIDE THE YEARS BY MAKING CHANGES ON THE OUTSIDE.
“A LITTLE SIDE-SWEPT SOFT BANG MIGHT HELP TO SOFTEN SOME OF THOSE FOREHEAD WRINKLES.”
THESE BEAUTY TIPS CAN MAKE YOU LOOK YOUNGER, BUT WHAT WOULD REALLY BE COOL IS TO JUST POP A PILL THAT CAN KEEP YOU YOUNG ON THE INSIDE TOO. THERE IS A SUPPLEMENT ON THE MARKET THAT SOME SAY MIGHT WORK. IT’S CALLED DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE, [DEE-HYDRO-EPEE-AN-DROS-TERONE] OR DHEA. YOU CAN BUY IT OVER THE COUNTER AND IT’S SAID TO EASE THE AGING PROCESS BY REPLACING NATURALLY OCCURRING DHEA. YOU SEE YOUR ADRENAL GLAND SECRETES DHEA. IT’S A HORMONE THAT DECREASES IN LEVELS AS YOU AGE, STARTING AT ABOUT AGE THIRTY. DR. SREEKUMARAN [SREE-KOO-MAHR-AHN] NAIR ASKED THE FOLLOWING QUESTION FOR A STUDY PUBLISHED IN THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE:
“IF YOU GIVE DHEA AND BRING IT TO THE SAME LEVEL AS THE YOUNG PEOPLE, IS IT GOING TO HAVE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS?”
THE STUDY INVOLVED GIVING ELDERLY MEN AND WOMEN EITHER A PLACEBO OR DHEA FOR TWO YEARS TO SEE IF IT IMPROVED MUSCLE MASS, STRENGHTH, BONE DENSITY, GLUCOSE TOLERANCE AND QUALITY OF LIFE. THE ANSWER WAS NO.
“IT DIDN’T HELP AT ALL.”
BUT WHAT DR. NAIR SAYS HAS BEEN PROVEN TO HELP SLOW THE EFFECTS OF TIME IS REGUALR AEROBIC EXERCISE, LIKE WALKING 30-45 MINUTES FIVE DAYS A WEEK, STRENGTH TRAINING AND A HEALTHY LOW-CALORIE DIET. DO THESE THINGS AND AT THE END OF THE DAY KNOW YOU ARE DOING YOUR BEST TO STAY YOUNG. FOR MEDICAL EDGE, I’M VIVIEN WILLIAMS.
Tag: Dr. Nair says if you take DHEA you should probably stop. That’s because there are no known benefits and there could be side effects. It has not been evaluated by the FDA, and is not recommended for men with enlarge prostates or people with heart disease. For more information, visit our Website at
STATIONS: Per the licensing agreement, please provide a link from your station's Web site to www.mayoclinic.org/medical-edge or voice tag "mayoclinic.org/medical-edge" for more information.