DHEA supplementation and circulating steroid hormones in older adults: a randomized controlled trial
Nair KS, Rizza RA, O'Brien P, Dhatariya K, Short KR, Nehra A
Published in New England Journal of Medicine
Methodology
Two-year randomized placebo-controlled trial of DHEA or testosterone replacement in elderly men and women measuring hormone levels, body composition and quality of life.
Key Findings
DHEA raised circulating DHEA-S and downstream steroid precursors but produced no improvement in body composition, physical performance, insulin sensitivity or quality of life.
Conclusions
Adrenal steroid precursor supplementation shifts hormone levels without functional benefit.
Limitations
Older, healthy population; may not generalise to deficiency states.
Outcomes Measured
DHEA raised circulating DHEA-S and downstream steroid precursors but produced no improvement in body composition, physical performance or quality of life
DHEA raised circulating DHEA-S and downstream steroid precursors but produced no improvement in body composition, physical performance, insulin sensitivity or quality of life.
Study Details
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