Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an endogenous steroid hormone that serves as a precursor to androgens and estrogens. Its levels naturally decline with age, and lower DHEA levels have been associated with decreased bone mineral density, particularly in postmenopausal women. Several clinical studies have investigated the effects of DHEA supplementation on bone health and osteoporosis.

Evidence from randomized controlled trials is mixed but suggests that DHEA supplementation may provide modest benefits for bone mineral density, especially in older women. For example, a meta-analysis published in Clinical Endocrinology (2014) concluded that DHEA supplementation led to small but statistically significant improvements in lumbar spine bone mineral density in women, though effects in men were less clear. The proposed mechanism is the conversion of DHEA to estrogen and testosterone, which play critical roles in bone metabolism.

However, the magnitude of the effect is relatively small compared to established osteoporosis treatments such as bisphosphonates or hormone replacement therapy. Guidelines do not recommend DHEA as a primary therapy for osteoporosis, largely due to limited efficacy and insufficient long-term safety data. In summary, while there is some scientific evidence supporting a mild benefit of DHEA for bone health, its use is not broadly endorsed in clinical practice.

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