Supplementation with Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) improves blood markers of cardiovascular disease risk in men, according to a recent report. Scientists have previously proposed that DHEA may thwart atherosclerosis development by increasing nitric oxide production, which promotes relaxation of the smooth muscle cells lining blood vessels.

Twenty-four men, average age 65 years, were randomly assigned to blindly receive either 50 mg DHEA per day, or placebo, for two months. Numerous variables were assessed at baseline and following treatment, including blood lipid levels, testosterone, and platelet cyclic guanosine-monophosphate (cGMP) concentration (a marker of nitric oxide production).

Placebo group parameters remained unchanged. But DHEA supplemented subjects experienced significant increases in testosterone and cGMP, and significant decreases in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and a marker of inflammation. “These findings…suggest that chronic DHEA supplementation would exert antiatherogenic effects, particularly in elderly subjects would display low circulating levels of this hormone,” investigators concluded.

Life Extension ~ May 2008

Martina V, Benso A, Gigliardi VR, et al. Short-term Dehydroepiandrosterone treatment increases platelet cGMP production in elderly male subjects. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2006 Mar;64(3):260-4.