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Dehydroepiandrosterone, short for DHEA, is a vital endogenous precursor to sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone [1]. The natural production of DHEA in adequate amounts is linked to maintaining a sound immune system and energy levels. Besides, DHEA also helps to reduce the risk of breast cancer, heart disease, memory impairment, and osteoporosis.
However, the bodily production of DHEA decreases significantly (up to 80%) after the age of 30s, making you more prone to health issues as you get older. Other factors such as stress, trauma, infections, and dietary restrictions may also contribute to DHEA level deficiency [2].
That being so, taking DHEA supplements to support overall health becomes paramount, especially in your middle ages. Let’s discuss the best DHEA supplements with proven efficacies that you can start on today!
Quick Summary
Best For Highest Potency: Double Wood DHEA
Great For Vegetarians: Superior Labs DHEA
Best For Cost-Effectiveness: Pure Encapsulations DHEA
| Product Name | DHEA Content (mg) | Price / Amount | Direction To Use |
| Double Wood DHEA | 100 | ~ $25/180 capsules | Take one capsule per day, and increase the dose if necessary |
| Superior Labs DHEA | 100 | ~ $25/60 capsules | Take one capsule once or twice daily, or as directed |
| Pure Encapsulations DHEA | 10 | ~ $31/180 capsules | Take one capsule daily, with meal |
| Douglas Laboratories DHEA | 5 | ~$12/60 capsules | Take one capsule once or twice daily, or as directed |
Best DHEA Supplements
Double Wood DHEA
DHEA CONTENT (mg):
100
PRICE / AMOUNT:
~ $25 / 180 capsules
DIRECTION TO USE:
Start with one capsule (100 milligrams) per day, and increase the dose only if necessary. Do not consume more than 4 capsules per day.
Pros
- Non-GMO
- Gluten-free
- Soy-free
Cons
- May cause acne or changes to period cycles
Double Wood DHEA supplements are made in the USA, and it’s one of the best DHEA supplements for muscle growth. It’s manufactured in a GMP quality-certified facility and further tested by a third party to ensure safety and potency.
Besides, this product has an excellent 5-stars review, with consumers describing a noticeable increase in energy and focus after regularly taking this supplement. Moreover, this DHEA supplement is easy to swallow and has no aftertaste.
Superior Labs DHEA
DHEA CONTENT (mg):
100
PRICE / AMOUNT:
~ $25 / 180 capsules
DIRECTION TO USE:
Take 1 capsule once or twice daily, or as directed by your health care practitioner. Best when taken with a meal.
Pros
- Free of heavy metals, allergens, and pesticides
- Made of vegetable capsules
Cons
- Expensive
Superior Labs is among the highest-rated online brands that are well-received by thousands of customers. Their best-selling 100% natural DHEA dietary supplement supports fertility, building muscle mass and longevity.
Besides, this product is manufactured in an FDA-registered facility with third-party inspections. Every ingredient in this product is hand-selected and free of harmful synthetic capsules or fillers such as magnesium stearate. It’s, therefore, safe to say that the safety and purity of this product are guaranteed.
Pure Encapsulations DHEA
DHEA CONTENT (mg):
10
PRICE / AMOUNT:
~ $31 / 180 capsules
DIRECTION TO USE:
Take one capsule daily, with a meal
Pros
- GMP quality assured
- Made in the USA
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- May increase the growth of facial hairs
These vegetable 10 mg DHEA supplements are sourced with a priority to avoid artificial additives or environmental contaminants. Upon sourcing, the DHEA is formulated in vegetarian-friendly micronized capsules to increase absorption to the body. This product is also hypoallergenic because it’s free of allergens such as eggs, gluten, peanuts, and wheat.
Reviews from happy customers claim that this DHEA supplement has improved their immunity and metabolism. Each bottle of Pure Encapsulation DHEA comes with 180 capsules, enough to last for six whole months!
Douglas Laboratories DHEA
DHEA CONTENT (mg):
5
PRICE / AMOUNT:
~ $12 / 60 capsules
DIRECTION TO USE:
Take one capsule once or twice daily, or as directed by your health professional. Allow the tablet to dissolve in the mouth, and then swallow
Pros
- Non-GMO
- Gluten-free
Cons
- Contains fillers such as microcrystalline cellulose and silica
Douglas Laboratories has been a trusted brand for vitamins and health supplements since 1995. Their best DHEA 5mg supplement comes in the form of dissolvable tablets. It’s an excellent option for people with difficulties swallowing because you can let these tablets slowly dissolve in your mouth before swallowing. It also has no sour aftertaste, making continuous consumption easy and not miserable.
How To Choose Dhea Supplements?
Firstly, talk to your healthcare provider to determine the most suitable dose of DHEA for yourself. Each body is different, and certain health conditions or medications could influence the safe amounts of DHEA you can consume.
Next, please read the ingredient list to ensure it’s appropriate for you. If you have any allergies, make sure to go for hypoallergenic products that are manufactured with no allergens. Thirdly, consider the cost and supply of DHEA in each bottle. You’d ideally want to go for products that can last you longer so you wouldn’t have to keep reordering frequently.
Finally, weigh the benefits and side effects of the DHEA supplement. The common side effects of DHEA supplements include congestion, fatigue, headache and insomnia. Though these side effects are common, they shouldn’t outweigh the benefits you get from the supplements. If you experience extremely bothersome side effects from DHEA supplements, you could consider changing to a different brand and observing for improvements.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who should not take Dhea?
DHEA supplements increase androgen levels and promote steroid-like effects. Therefore, the use of DHEA supplements is not recommended for people living with these health conditions [3]:
- Diabetes
- Heart problems
- History of blood clotting disorders
- History of cancer
- Liver diseases
- Mood disorders
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Thyroid problems
Other than that, DHEA supplements may interact with some prescribed medications, including anticonvulsants, blood thinners, antipsychotics and more. Therefore, it’s safer to consult your healthcare provider before starting any DHEA supplements.
How many milligrams of DHEA should I take a day?
There’s no standard recommended dose of DHEA supplementation, and the amount varies depending on your intended use and product. But generally, a daily oral dose of 100mg effectively increases circulating DHEA levels in blood samples.
How long does it take for DHEA to work?
Nothing worthwhile would work overnight, and if it does, there’s a high likelihood of it being unhealthy for your body. The DHEA levels in your body will respond rapidly to supplementation. The earliest response you may notice from DHEA supplementation is increased libido. Other benefits of DHEA supplementation could take anywhere from two to six months to work.
Bottomline
DHEA supplementation is beneficial for many reasons, mainly to replace the decline in endogenous DHEA supplementation and associated benefits. However, it comes with its own set of drawbacks. That being said, involving a healthcare provider in your decision to start DHEA supplementation is crucial.
Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your own healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional. We have assembled this article through in-depth research based on the information available at the date of publishing. We may receive a small commission for purchases you make through our links, but this comes at NO extra cost to you. This commission allows us to continue doing what we love through Health Plugged, which is delivering evidence-based health information to our readers worldwide.
Editorial References And Fact-Checking
- Li, Y., Ren, J., Li, N., Liu, J., Tan, S. C., Low, T. Y., & Ma, Z. (2020). A dose-response and meta-analysis of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on testosterone levels: perinatal prediction of randomized clinical trials. Experimental gerontology, 141, 111110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2020.111110
- Physiological importance of dehydroepiandrosterone. (2003). Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140673694925879
- Panjari, M., & Davis, S. R. (2007). DHEA therapy for women: effect on sexual function and wellbeing. Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/humupd/article/13/3/239/2457836
- The effect of six months treatment with a 100 mg daily dose of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on circulating sex steroids, body composition and muscle strength in age-advanced men and women. (1998). Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9876338/
