DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone which is made naturally in the body and released from the adrenal gland.  This hormone begins to decline in the body after the age of 30 and yet is vital to many normal body functions.  As if it were not enough that the body loses DHEA naturally, it is also further depleted by people who suffer from anorexia, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, AIDS, and a number of medications.

DHEA can be an excellent aid in the fight against depression, improper adrenal functioning and can help with  the induction of labor.  The body converts DHEA into a natural sex hormone so the fact that it drops after age 30 could be a reason we lose sexual functioning as we age.  To create this hormone synthetically, a substance called diosgenin is produced from soybeans and wild yam however since the  body can't convert wild yam to DHEA on its own, it must be done in a controlled environment.

There are other reasons besides sexual functioning for which people would add DHEA to their dietary supplements:

Depression – When compared to a placebo it appears that DHEA can significantly reduce the effects of depression.

Aging – As we age we lose muscle mass and our immune function as well as  bone density decreases. In a study done by the Mayo Clinic they found that DHEA positively affects the muscle strength, muscle mass, and peak endurance during fitness activities.

Obesity – Studies have shown that DHEA may assist with both genetic obesity and obesity that came about as a result of dietary influences. People who added the supplement to their diets versus a placebo group lost a little more than two pounds versus those on the placebo who gained an average of a pound.

Menopause – DHEA has shown promise in diminishing some of the side effects of menopause.

Sexual Functioning – The research here has been mixed but at least in the age group of 70 year old women it has been shown to increase libido.

While there is certainly more research to be done, it does appear that DHEA can positively affect the body in many ways especially if you are over 30 and have symptoms of depression or osteoporosis.