In humans , low levels of DHEA have been shown to predict heart disease in men and breast cancer and ovarian cancer in women. It may play a role in maintaining brain cells and help protecting against Alzheimers. Brain tissue contains five to six times more DHEA than any other tissue in the body. One very exciting aspect of the hormone is its potential as an anti-obesity drug. In one study , high doses of DHEA (1,600mgs per day) given for four weeks caused a 31% decrease in body fat in four of five subjects with no overall weight change, implying a substantial increase in muscle mass. Their LDL levels also fell 7.5% , showing that DHEA protected their hearts as well. The weight loss possbilities of the hormone have been researched by Aurthur Schwartz Ph.D , of the Fells Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology at TEmple University, a pioneer in DHEA research. He found that animals on the steroid lost weight regardless of how much they ate. When he took normal weight mice and controlled their activity and diet for four weeks they reacted exactly like the humans , with four of five losting 31% fat while their overall weight remained the same.

There are a number of explanations for the anti obesity effect. First DHEA inhibits a enzyme called glucose-6 dehydrogenenase (G6DPH), which may block the body’s ability to store and produce fat. Second Schwartz found that it stimulates cholecystokinin , which signals the body to feel full. Third it may work through IGF-1 to shift the metabolism from producing fat to creating muscle and energy.