Effect of DHEA on Abdominal Fat and Insulin Action in Elderly Women and Men

Context Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) administration has been shown to reduce accumulation of abdominal visceral fat and protect against insulin resistance in laboratory animals, but it is not known whether DHEA decreases abdominal obesity in humans. DHEA is widely available as a dietary supplement without a prescription.

Objective To determine whether DHEA replacement therapy decreases abdominal fat and improves insulin action in elderly persons.

Design and Setting Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in a US university-based research center from June 2001 to February 2004.

Participants Fifty-six elderly persons (28 women and 28 men aged 71 [range, 65-78] years) with age-related decrease in DHEA level.

Intervention Participants were randomly assigned to receive 50 mg/d of DHEA or matching placebo for 6 months.

Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome measures were 6-month change in visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat measured by magnetic resonance imaging and glucose and insulin responses to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Results Of the 56 men and women enrolled, 52 underwent follow-up evaluations. Compliance with the intervention was 97% in the DHEA group and 95% in the placebo group. Based on intention-to-treat analyses, DHEA therapy compared with placebo induced significant decreases in visceral fat area (–13 cm2 vs +3 cm2, respectively; P = .001) and subcutaneous fat (–13 cm2 vs +2 cm2, P = .003). The insulin area under the curve (AUC) during the OGTT was significantly reduced after 6 months of DHEA therapy compared with placebo (–1119 µU/mL per 2 hours vs +818 µU/mL per 2 hours, P = .007). Despite the lower insulin levels, the glucose AUC was unchanged, resulting in a significant increase in an insulin sensitivity index in response to DHEA compared with placebo (+1.4 vs –0.7, P = .005).

Conclusion DHEA replacement could play a role in prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome associated with abdominal obesity.

Author Affiliations: Division of Geriatrics and Nutritional Science, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Mo.

I don't take it for weightloss (don't need to take anything).
I do not take 1000mg a day, although some do. You may have misread what I stated, the ALA in powder form that I suggested is a 100 grams. 1000 milligrams is = to 1 gram, so this bottle would give you 100 1 gram doses if you chose to take that much per day. I take 250mg twice a day. I believe the reason why your urine stinks is due to the high sulfur content.

Here's a description of ALA:
"LIPOIC ACID, ALPHA. ALA is a supernutrient that enables the cells to provide quick bursts of energy for intense exercise, reduces lactic acid buildup, and helps produce sustained energy without increasing fat production. ALA is a powerful water and fat soluble antioxidant that protects all areas of the body, including cell membranes and mitochondrial DNA when used with acetyl L-carnitine. It has insulin mimicking properties which lower blood sugar and protect from aging by glycation (cross-linking protein molecules by sugar); and acts to speed creatine to muscle cells. For fat loss some are suggesting 100mg ALA for each 40 grams of carbs in a meal. Note: This ALA is the 50:50 mix of the R and S isomers. Usual dose: 100-300 mg; diabetics: 300-600mg. Some suggest taking 1mg biotin per 100mg ALA. Especially effective with CoQ10, ALCAR, & carnosine"

Acetyl L Carnitine (ALCAR):
"Similar properties to carnitine, and shown by studies to protect vital organs from oxidative damage while increasing brain levels of choline acetyltransferase, improving cognitive function. It has been used with some success with Alzheimer’s patients. There are claims that testosterone production may be increased with a 1-2 gram dose before breakfast, and that it may trigger a GH release with a protocol of 500mg with 30-100mg ornithine HCl at bedtime. One study showed 2g each per day of L-carnitine & ALCAR beat testosterone in increasing erections and orgasms in men over 60. ALCAR is not as effective as regular carnitine for fat burning, but latest research suggests that it may be used with lipoic acid (ALA) to protect mitochondria and dopamine cells from damage"

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.