Is Low DHEA the Cause of Your Hormonal Issues?

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is one of the essential hormones that scientists are calling the `fountain of youth.` The adrenal glands produce this hormone from cholesterol which serves as a precursor to 18 steroid hormones, including the well-known sex hormones - oestrogen and testosterone.  Producing healthy levels of DHEA is crucial for maintaining optimal bone density, immune function, skin health, fat metabolism, and muscle growth.

Stress Hormones Before Sex Hormones

The adrenal glands help to regulate the body’s ability to adapt to stress and they also produce hormones that regulate reproduction.  Adapting to stress overrides reproduction.  Adapting to stress is critical for immediate survival and that is the first priority.  Once our body understands that we are not under threat, then it will focus its energy on reproductive hormones.

The major stress hormones are cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline.   These hormones help increase energy, increase blood sugar levels and speed up circulation and respiration to help the body survive through fight or flight.

The major sex hormones produced by the adrenals are oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone.  These are all critical for growth, metabolism, strength, endurance, mental drive, menstrual function and reproductive ability.

The master hormone that is used by the body to produce cortisol and progesterone is called pregnenolone.   It's important to know that pregnenolone has the ability to create cortisol, progesterone, or DHEA. DHEA is a hormone used by the body to produce testosterone and oestrogen. When the body is constantly experiencing stress, there is a high demand for cortisol production, which in turn reduces the amount of progesterone and DHEA produced.

Raised insulin causes a decreased production of DHEA in the adrenals.  Blood sugar imbalances also create critical vitamin and mineral imbalances that stress the adrenals and reduce DHEA production.

Persistent stress and irregular sleep patterns can lead to an increase in cortisol, which is commonly known as the stress hormone. When these problems become chronic, they can give rise to a phenomenon called "pregnenolone steal". Under high-stress situations, this process shifts the focus towards the production of cortisol, which causes a depletion in the production of DHEA as pregnenolone is taken away from the DHEA production pathway to produce more cortisol. This leads to a reduction in DHEA levels in the body.

Correct the Adrenal Stressors First

Many people rush out and look for DHEA-boosting supplements, however, lifestyle factors that deplete DHEA levels should be addressed first. The most important factor includes reducing/eliminating adrenal stressors such as medications, stress, leaky gut syndrome, food sensitivities, parasites, bacteria and other infectious agents, chronic inflammation, physical nerve stress, nutrient deficiencies, poor sleep, and blood sugar imbalances.

Reduce Stress AND IMPROVE Sleep

Reducing stress and improving your sleep are key steps to lower the production of stress hormones, inflammation and oxidative stress.  As a result of this, your body will be able to produce optimal DHEA levels. I like to recommend that clients engage in activities that lower their stress levels and calm their minds.

Meditation, breathwork, practising a positive mindset, spending time outside, exercise, connecting with loved ones, having a relaxing bath with Epsom salts baths, and sleeping 7 to 9 hours a night.

Foods to boost DHEA

This anti-inflammatory diet should be very low in sugar, refined carbohydrates and generally lower GI so less carbohydrates and more non-starchy vegetables. Eat foods rich in phytonutrients and trace minerals from fresh, raw or lightly steamed vegetables.  Eat anti-inflammatory herbs such as turmeric, ginger, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and cinnamon.

Healthy fat consumption is an essential part of creating cholesterol which is needed to produce DHEA. Healthy fat sources include olive oil, coconut products, avocados, nuts, seeds, & pure omega-3 fish oil supplements such as my PCH Krill Oil.

Healthy protein sources to boost DHEA production include wild-caught fish, grass-fed red meat and free range chicken, turkey, and eggs.

Vitamin D plays a very important role in healthy DHEA levels. Get regular sun exposure and/or supplement to maintain vitamin D at optimal levels. I usually advise supplementing with vitamin D. Try my PCH Vegan D3 Complex.

To support the HPA axis and stress response use a good quality adaptogen such as my PCH Just Ashwagandha as well as my PCH Chill which are great for calming the body, reducing anxiety and improving focus. Try my PCH Mood & Sleep for improving sleep quality.

You can check DHEA, DHES and Cortisol levels as well as female sex hormones with our DUTCH test. For more information on the Dutch packages we offer please see our website.