DHEA-Staying Younger Longer
In the Collector’s Edition 2005 of Life Extention, Stephen Cherniski was featured in a discussion of DHEA. An easy reference to the basis of this article is found in Cherniski’s book “The Metabolic Plan”. The subtitle of the book and basis of the content of the article are the same; stay younger longer, slow the aging process, increase your strength, stamina and immunity, reduce fat and combat cardiovascular disease, and enhance memory and restore your youthful glow. Cherniske’s position is not that DHEA is a simple answer to the complex aging issue. Aging is the loss of regenerative capacity and accumulation of cellular damage. He refers to the Metabolic Model of Aging outlined in his book, and describes it as a seesaw between damage and repair. The model is applied to every aspect of the human species. It is with this understanding that DHEA then takes the critical role as the most comprehensive anabolic (repair) signal in the human body. For this reason alone, the benefits of DHEA reduce the signs of aging.
Cherniske is not looking for short-term benefits but looks at the aging model as a complex, lifelong process. He believes DHEA works to enhance sports performance and restores energy levels as well. Regarding weight loss, he reminds us we need to break out of the diet and weight loss management mentality. The goal should be fat loss which is the long-term solution that improves insulin sensitivity and increases muscle mass. He claims that in human clinical trials, DHEA has been shown to do both.
Fat burning produces energy but also requires energy to get started. The accumulation of fat with advancing age may be related to decreased energy production as it is to a sedentary lifestyle as supported by a study from University of California that demonstrated reduced carnitine availability correlates with the age-related decline of DHEA. Again, not an instant result.
Cherniski’s position that DHEA improves memory, mood, and is positively associated with feelings of well being was challenged. One need look at the longevity of the studies referenced to see the effects DHEA has on mood, libido, immunity, memory and overall well-being is accomplished with extended use, not demonstrated in the two week studies. DHEA has been shown to improve the midlife “blahs” that manifest in fatigue, lack of motivation, sadness and inability to cope. Cherniski maintains that the benefits unfold over years even though results can be seen in as early as three weeks.
The emergence of metabolic syndrome or Syndrome X is contributed to by decreasing levels of DHEA resulting in heart disease, stroke and diabetes II. DHEA levels correlate positively with HDL levels and negatively with LDL cholesterol as well. Low levels of DHEA correlate with hypothyroidism. Again, this is a long-term effect in that most pathology is cumulative, not instantaneous.
Concern was raised that DHEA may accelerate nascent tumors. Cherniski states DHEA is a cell regulator. It induces apoptosis (cell death) in malignant and malfunctioning cells and controls abnormal cell growth. He maintains that there are no studies that show DHEA causes cancer, but all evidence is to the contrary citing Dr. Marian “Laderoute, a pathologist at the Canadian Bureau of Infectious Diseases, who reminds us that specific mutations required for carcinogenesis can be traced to a failure of immunity and cell regulation that takes place as a consequence of falling levels of DHEA.”
The article goes further in depth regarding breast cancer and how low levels of DHEA shows a remarkable correlation in a study published in the Lancet. Cherniski addresses prostate cancer, osteoporosis, hormone replacement therapy. This article cites 161 sources for the logic behind DHEA replacement. The article is 18 pages long. If you wish to understand the logic of Cherniski’s position in full, purchase his book of 340 pages. It will change the way you think.
