Life Extension DHEA
- Support DHEA hormone balance.
- Promotes healthy immune function.
- Non-GMO and gluten-free.
Havasu Nutrition
- Promote balanced hormone levels.
- May support weight loss.
- Contains pure DHEA.
Double Wood DHEA
- Supports muscle mass growth.
- Supports mental health.
- 100% money-back guarantee.
This piece highlights one of the adrenal glands’ hormones that make the male and female sex hormones: dehydroepiandrosterone, more specifically, nutritional DHEA supplements.
The major goal of the products in this DHEA supplement review is to provide the user with a healthy hormone level for fertility, energy, slower aging, and mental wellness. It may also help with[1] depression, vaginal atrophy, and osteoporosis.
But before we go any further, remember that these are only supplements. Never use supplements in place of medication, treatment, or medical attention. Before taking DHEA supplements, consult a doctor to be screened for any pre-existing conditions, such as adrenal insufficiency, and for any conditions that may interfere with supplementation with DHEA.
Now, let’s begin.
Best DHEA Supplements In (June. 2023)
- Life Extension DHEA – Editor’s Choice
- Havasu Nutrition – Best DHEA Supplement For Aging
- Double Wood DHEA – Best DHEA Supplement For Bodybuilding
- Sheer Strength Labs DHEA – Best DHEA Supplement For Menopause
- Pure Encapsulations DHEA – Best DHEA Supplement For Testosterone
What Is DHEA?
DHEA, dehydroepiandrosterone, is a naturally occurring hormone synthesized by the adrenal glands, the gonads, and the brain in the body, but it comes primarily from the adrenal cortex. The other hormones produced at this site are cortisol, aldosterone, adrenaline (epinephrine), and noradrenaline (norepinephrine).
DHEA is a steroid hormone used by the body to produce androgens and estrogens, the male and female sex hormones. Peak DHEA levels are around the age of 25, then gradually decline as you become older. So much so that DHEA levels in individuals aged 70 to 80 are only 10% to 20% of the value when younger.[2]
Because DHEA levels fall with age, scientists have hypothesized that DHEA may be used as an anti-aging remedy. This is because low DHEA levels in the elderly have been linked to osteoporosis,[3] cardiovascular disease,[4] cognitive impairment,[5] and breast cancer.[6]
There is little evidence that low DHEA levels promote these diseases or that taking DHEA supplements can help prevent them. It is all still open to more research. It is such a potent little hormone, but it has been banned by the World Anti-doping Association.
Furthermore, the quality of DHEA supplements varies greatly. Many of the dietary supplements tested on the market are only there to offer DHEA supplementation with little thought for bioavailability, and many are not third-party tested for purity and potency of ingredients. Such factors should also be a key consideration when selecting the best DHEA supplement.
Also, DHEA pills and the best DHEA cream may have negative side effects. DHEA supplementation may decrease[1] high-density lipoproteins or HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels in the body while increasing estrogen and testosterone levels in women, increase the risk for hormone-sensitive cancers, worsen psychiatric disorders or cause male-pattern hair growth in women.
The Line Up At A Glance
Editor’s Choice
Life Extension DHEA
- Support DHEA hormone balance.
- Promotes healthy immune function.
- Non-GMO and gluten-free.
Best DHEA Supplement For Aging
Havasu Nutrition
- Promote balanced hormone levels.
- May support weight loss.
- Contains pure DHEA.
Best DHEA Supplement For Bodybuilding
Double Wood DHEA
- Supports muscle mass growth.
- Supports mental health.
- 100% money-back guarantee.
Best DHEA Supplement for Menopause
Sheer Strength Labs DHEA
- Supports muscle building.
- Supports menopausal hormonal imbalance.
- Third-party tested.
Best DHEA Supplement For Testosterone
Pure Encapsulations DHEA
- Highly bioavailable micronized DHEA
- supports hormonal balance
- Promotes healthy mood.
5 Best DHEA Supplements On The Market In 2023
Life Extensions DHEA
As our overall best DHEA supplement, Life Extensions DHEA makes a plethora of health claims supporting it, with ample research available on its website.
- Promotes a healthy immune function.
- Good to promote a hormonal balance of DHEA.
- Supports healthy sexual function.
- Offers varying potencies for better dose titration
- There is a claim of a change in formulation.
If you are looking for the best DHEA supplements that will proffer you overall health benefits, try the Life Extensions DHEA supplement.
This supplement only contains 25 milligrams of pure DHEA per serving, and you must swallow one to three capsules daily only in the morning. The brand suggests you get a doctor’s assessment first to ascertain the best dosage before proceeding. This 25 mg dosage costs $10.80. It is also available in DHEA supplements ranging from 15 mg to 50 mg and even 100 mg dosages at varying prices.
Its claim on improving body composition might be accurate, as shown in a study[7] that highlights that DHEA has weight[8] and fat loss properties.
DHEA enhanced total serum testosterone levels, sexual activity, libido, and sexual fulfillment in postmenopausal women in one research[9] study supporting the brand’s sexual function claim.
A 2013 study supports its mental health and mood-enhancing claims,[10], especially in major depressive disorder.
The second batch of health claims Life Extensions DHEA supplement purports to help with is with heart and bone health. DHEA is certainly heart-protective, and in bone health, it helps improve bone mineral density, as shown in a recent 2020 study.[11]
Havasu Nutrition
The Havasu Nutrition DHEA supplement also has one active ingredient: 50 mg of pure DHEA. The brand claims this supplement will help with hormonal imbalance, healthy aging, energy levels, weight loss and metabolism, and immune boosting.
- Supports balanced hormone levels.
- Offers cognitive function boosts.
- May offer heart-protective properties.
- No mention of its third-party testing on the website.
This brand contains 50 mg of DHEA, making it a higher-dosage DHEA supplement. The disadvantage is you can’t lower your dose or start at a lower dose if you are new to DHEA supplementation, as only one potency is available for purchase.
Havasu Nutrition DHEA supplements state that its product will help you in two main ways. First, you will garner better hormonal balance in the body. This means that when a blood test is carried out after taking DHEA, the test may show an increase in the sex hormone produced by the body’s adrenal glands. And since these high-quality supplements are unisex, both men and women are bound to receive these benefits.
The second way is that it promotes youthful energy. This may manifest as improved energy levels to accomplish tasks and work out. This pure encapsulated DHEA supplement comes in capsules, and you need to swallow one capsule a day with a meal.
One tub with 60 capsules costs $18.49 without a discount and $17.99 with one. You may get it for less if you subscribe to the membership. They are made with ingredients free from genetically modified organisms or non-GMO, vegan, and sourced from a Good Manufacturing Practices-certified facility.
Double Wood DHEA
Because of its purity and perfect transparency, Double Wood DHEA stands out from the crowd of the highest-quality supplements.
- Counters DHEA Levels decline.
- Promotes mental acuity and mood.
- May support bone density
- Third-party tested for potency but not purity or contaminants.
- Not available outside the U.S.
Double Wood has established itself as a reputable brand because every product is subjected to third-party testing for potency, but not contaminants. The Double Wood brand never uses proprietary blends to conceal ingredient amounts, and amounts are verified by lab testing.
Each bottle of Double Wood DHEA comprises 180 pure DHEA capsules, each containing 100 milligrams of pure DHEA. This makes it another extra-strength natural DHEA supply. But it may not be suitable for newbies starting on DHEA supplementation as this dose may be too high.
This is a non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free vegan product.
The company cites headaches, fatigue, insomnia, and congestion as possible side effects. Women may experience irregular periods and mood swings.
Double Wood markets this product to senior men and women. This is the demographic that research suggests will benefit the most from DHEA supplementation and get all their health claims. One tub sells for $22.95 from the main brand site.
Extra Strength DHEA by Sheer Strength Store
Some of the benefits of using this product are that it is free from most allergens, it’s non-GMO, gluten-free, and third-party tested.
- Promotes hormonal balance.
- May offer energy levels boost.
- May promote healthy inflammatory responses.
- May not be ideal for women as it may raise your testosterone levels too high or trigger facial hair.
- May increase hair loss, as in male-pattern baldness.
The Extra Strength DHEA by Sheer Strength Store has maximum strength DHEA quantity of 100 mg, making it a highly potent DHEA supplement. It might be a little too much for a newbie to start with. Gradually increasing doses is typically the best way to train the body to accept a substance, so 100 mg may be a little too high to start out on.
The product’s health claims are that it supports hormonal imbalance, improves energy levels, and promotes muscle-building. When it comes to hormonal imbalance, this benefits both men and women. DHEA is helpful as it may raise estrogen and testosterone levels in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.[12] This alleviates menopause symptoms and improves overall health and sexual function.
For men, hormonal balancing will manifest as better physical performance, slower aging, relief from erectile dysfunction, better mental acuity, and a boosted libido. These hormonal balancing benefits also support energy levels boosting, and muscle building for both men and women.
However, among the many Amazon DHEA reviews, one stood out for its effects on women. The user highlights that it resulted in her getting facial hair due to the elevated testosterone levels in her blood.
One tub with 60 capsules sells for $16.99, and the dosage is one capsule a day.
Pure Encapsulations DHEA Supplement
The biggest selling point for this brand is that it offers a more bioavailable form of DHEA; micronized DHEA. Micronization is a process that breaks down molecules of any substance into smaller sizes for faster absorption.
- It is a low-dose DHEA supplement ideal for beginners.
- The capsules are smaller, making swallowing easy.
- The bulk order is mostly out of stock, making a single purchase more expensive.
- The brand’s website is very outdated.
Pure Encapsulations DHEA asserts that employing a micronized source with smaller particles improves the immune response, fat burning, and total testosterone and estrogen balance.
There aren’t many studies to back up that claim, but this DHEA supplement could assist users in gaining lean muscle mass and fighting adrenal fatigue.
Pure Encapsulations DHEA is available in little capsules that are effortless to swallow, enabling adjusting the daily dose and achieving a perfect hormone balance easier.
One tub contains 60 capsules, each offering a user a DHEA dosage of 5 mg daily. You only need one capsule a day while you monitor its effects, increasing as needed for the best results.
Benefits Of DHEA Supplements
So far, the most apparent DHEA supplement function we have highlighted is hormonal balancing. However, this is not the only benefit of pure DHEA.
Here are the others:
- Promotes healthy aging: When used topically[13] as a DHEA cream, it may help the skin with better hydration and firmness while decreasing age spots in older adults.
- Helps with weight loss: DHEA has been shown in studies to help lower abdominal fat[14] and improve insulin resistance.
- Help with cardiovascular health: DHEA may help reduce artery inflammation[15] and stiffness, according to other research.
- Counter Adrenal insufficiency:[16] This disorder results when the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones needed by the body.
- It may help treat depression[17] and better mental health.
- It may help reduce the onset of osteoporosis. DHEA may help increase bone density.[11]
- It may help counter sexual dysfunction[9] in men and improve libido in older women.[18]
Some also believe it may help increase muscle mass due to the increased testosterone levels[19] in a user’s body. But the studies available[20] claim that it may not be sufficient for this purpose. You need more than just DHEA supplementation to achieve muscle mass growth.
How To Choose The Best DHEA Supplements
Here are some things to consider when choosing pure DHEA supplements:
Check The Label
Make sure the supplement you choose contains DHEA as the active ingredient. Some supplements may contain other ingredients that may not be safe or effective or have controversial ingredients that may not agree with your digestive system or health conditions.
Look For A Reputable Brand
Choose a brand with a good reputation and is known for producing high-quality products. Avoid buying supplements from unknown or untrustworthy sources.
Consider The Dose
The recommended dose of DHEA varies depending on the person and the condition being treated. Be sure to choose a supplement with the appropriate dose for your needs.
Talk To Your Doctor
Before taking any supplement; it is always a good idea to talk to your doctor. They can help you determine if DHEA is right for you and guide the appropriate dose and any potential side effects.
DHEA use is not recommended in those with liver disease, diabetes, thyroid problems, heart problems, clotting disorders, or polycystic ovary syndrome. There are also known drug interactions with such drugs as antipsychotics, anti-epileptics, hormones, and others.
Recommended Dosage
While doses ranging from 10 to 500 mg have been recorded, the most typical dosage range is 25-50 mg daily.
The common dosages are 25 mg[21] and 50 mg[22] daily. This may indicate that the dosage is specific to the condition being researched, plus the gender of the subjects.
DHEA supplementation has been used safely in trials with no serious negative effects.
Final Thought
As you have read, taking DHEA has numerous benefits for both men and women. From the above brand assessments, the properties that stand out as marketing selling points are that it offers hormonal balancing, muscle-building, and energy-level boosting properties. There is also the benefit of better cardiovascular, immune, and mental health for both genders.
Distinctively for men, it may help produce testosterone, and women balance out female hormonal changes during menopause. And collectively, it may help sexual health, meaning any of the above could be the best DHEA supplement for fertility for both men and women.
All the above DHEA supplements on the market are high-quality supplements made in the USA. Some are vegan, but all are non-GMO and gluten-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Each brand of natural DHEA has a category it is best suited in, such as muscle-building or fertility. However, from our assessment, Life Extensions DHEA supplement is the overall best.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women, people on medication, and children under 18 should not take DHEA supplements. Also, do not take DHEA if you have or are predisposed to hormonal-related cancers (prostate, breast, or ovarian) or have any one of the several conditions mentioned in this article as not being compatible with DHEA supplementation. Those on antipsychotic medication, anti-epileptics, estrogen, testosterone, some antidepressants, and others should also avoid DHEA.
No. They generally differ by DHEA quantity, raw-material sourcing, bioavailability, and pricing.
Some changes like libido boost are felt fairly early after starting a DHEA natural supplement. The others, like muscle-building and menopausal relief, may be felt after two months of daily use.
There is yet to be a sure DHEA dosage, but most experts suggest never exceeding 200 mg daily. You should start on a low dose, such as 20-30 mg, monitor its effects over a few weeks time period, and gradually titrate upward to achieve your desired effects if needed.
Some symptoms are unexpected weight loss, salt cravings, dizziness, dehydration, nausea, and vomiting.
+ 22 Sources
Tnhealth has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We work mostly with peer-reviewed studies to ensure accurate information. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- Mayo Clinic. (2021). DHEA. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-dhea/art-20364199.
- Samaras, N., Samaras, D., Frangos, E., Forster, A. and Philippe, J. (2013). A Review of Age-Related Dehydroepiandrosterone Decline and Its Association with Well-Known Geriatric Syndromes: Is Treatment Beneficial? Rejuvenation Research, [online] 16(4), pp.285–294. doi:10.1089/rej.2013.1425.
- Ohlsson, C., Nethander, M., Kindmark, A., Ljunggren, Ö., Lorentzon, M., Rosengren, B.E., Karlsson, M.K., Mellström, D. and Vandenput, L. (2017). Low Serum DHEAS Predicts Increased Fracture Risk in Older Men: The MrOS Sweden Study. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, [online] 32(8), pp.1607–1614. doi:10.1002/jbmr.3123.
- Zhang, X., Xiao, J., Liu, T., He, Q., Cui, J., Tang, S., Li, X. and Liu, M. (2022). Low Serum Dehydroepiandrosterone and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Are Associated With Coronary Heart Disease in Men With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Frontiers in Endocrinology, [online] 13. doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.890029.
- Pan, X., Wu, X., Kaminga, A.C., Wen, S.W. and Liu, A. (2019). Dehydroepiandrosterone and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, [online] 11. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2019.00061.
- Schwartz, A.G. (2022). Dehydroepiandrosterone, Cancer, and Aging. Aging and disease, [online] 13(2), pp.423–432. doi:10.14336/AD.2021.0913.
- Kalman, D., Colker, C.M., Swain, M.A. and Shi, Q. (2000). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 3-acetyl-7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone in healthy… [online] ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/239995714_A_randomized_double-blind_placebo-controlled_study_of_3-acetyl-7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone_in_healthy_overweight_adults.
- Vihma, V., Heinonen, S., Naukkarinen, J., Kaprio, J., Rissanen, A., Turpeinen, U., Hämäläinen, E., Hakkarainen, A., Lundbom, J., Lundbom, N., Mikkola, T.S., Tikkanen, M.J. and Pietiläinen, K.H. (2018). Increased body fat mass and androgen metabolism – A twin study in healthy young women. Steroids, [online] 140, pp.24–31. doi:10.1016/j.steroids.2018.08.006.
- El-Sakka, A.I. (2018). Dehydroepiandrosterone and Erectile Function: A Review. The World Journal of Men’s Health, [online] 36(3), p.183. doi:10.5534/wjmh.180005.
- Sripada, R.K., Marx, C.E., King, A.P., Rajaram, N., Garfinkel, S.N., Abelson, J.L. and Liberzon, I. (2013). DHEA Enhances Emotion Regulation Neurocircuits and Modulates Memory for Emotional Stimuli. Neuropsychopharmacology, [online] 38(9), pp.1798–1807. doi:10.1038/npp.2013.79.
- Kirby, D.J., Buchalter, D.B., Anil, U. and Leucht, P. (2020). DHEA in bone: the role in osteoporosis and fracture healing. Archives of Osteoporosis, [online] 15(1). doi:10.1007/s11657-020-00755-y.
- Scheffers, C.S., Armstrong, S., Cantineau, A.E., Farquhar, C. and Jordan, V. (2015). Dehydroepiandrosterone for women in the peri- or postmenopausal phase. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. [online] doi:10.1002/14651858.cd011066.pub2.
- Nouveau, S., Bastien, P., Baldo, F. and Olivier de Lacharrière (2008). Effects of topical DHEA on aging skin: A pilot study. [online] ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5609088_Effects_of_topical_DHEA_on_aging_skin_A_pilot_study.
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- Peixoto, C., Grande, A.J., Mallmann, M.B., Nardi, A.E., Cardoso, A. and Veras, A.B. (2018). Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) for Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. CNS & Neurological Disorders – Drug Targets, [online] 17(9), pp.706–711. doi:10.2174/1871527317666180817153914.
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- Liu, T.-C., Lin, C.-H., Huang, C.-Y., Ivy, J.L. and Kuo, C.-H. (2013). Effect of acute DHEA administration on free testosterone in middle-aged and young men following high-intensity interval training. European Journal of Applied Physiology, [online] 113(7), pp.1783–1792. doi:10.1007/s00421-013-2607-x.
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