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DHEA & Depression

New Study Shows DHEA Can Reduce the Symptoms of Depression

On February 7, 2005, WebMD, wrote about a recent study that reported the controversial hormone DHEA was shown to reduce depression.

In the small study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health, half the participants reported a 50% or more decrease in their depression symptoms.

The researchers concluded that “in the 50% of depressed outpatients who did not respond to first-line antidepressant treatments, or in those unwilling to take traditional antidepressants, DHEA may have a useful role in the treatment of mild to moderately severe midlife-onset major and minor depression.”

My husband has been depressed for years and has at various times tried the major antidepressants such as Prozac and Zoloft. However he could not tolerate the drugs and used to say that he suffered every side effect listed for them.

However, after reading research that indicated a dose of up to 50 mg of DHEA a day would not be harmful, he started taking DHEA , a "pharmaceutical" grade of DHEA.

Since starting with DHEA, he is visibly happier and more energetic. He says that he feels more optimistic than he has for years.

I know that the anecdotal report of one person is not scientific proof of anything. However, it is interesting that this study seems to confirm his own feelings.

Some doctors feel that taking DHEA is risky and that it should be pulled from the supplement market.

Please read DHEA Safety Concerns.

However there is a mounting body of research which seems to indicate DHEA has many antiaging benefits. It looks like there is a lot more research on this hormone being done.

I’ll let you know about it as it is reported.

This article is for informational purposes only. It does not purport to render medical advice.

 

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