Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone the body produces naturally in the adrenal glands. It’s sometimes called a prohormone because it’s used to make testosterone, estrogen, and others. DHEA is also a popular dietary supplement that helps support hormone balance and anti-aging because, after age 25, DHEA declines rapidly (decreasing about 80% by age 75).
Taking DHEA supplements at night may offer unique benefits that enhance its effectiveness. This article explores why taking DHEA at night offers many advantages for your health and well-being.
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Understanding DHEA
Becoming familiar with DHEA is highly beneficial in fully understanding the important advantages of this hormone.
What is DHEA?
DHEA, also called dehydroepiandrosterone, is a hormone the body makes in larger amounts in young adulthood. It’s critical for maintaining hormone balance.
However, DHEA levels gradually decrease with aging, which is why some people take DHEA dietary supplements under the direction of a healthcare provider. Such supplements come in the form of capsules, tablets, powders, gels, and topical creams. Over-the-counter and prescription DHEA products are both available.
Common Uses of DHEA
Common uses of DHEA supplements in men and women include:
- Anti-aging
- Adrenal insufficiency support
- Improved sexual health and function
- Mood stabilization
- Better physical performance
- Less depression and anxiety
- Reduced symptoms of menopause and perimenopause
- Less abdominal fat
- Reduced inflammation in arteries
- Less insulin resistance
- Lower risk of heart disease
- Better quality of life in people with lupus
- Improved sexual functioning
- Stronger sex drive
- Reduced bone loss in women
- Reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
- Improved skin health
- Reduced vaginal dryness in women
- Enhanced memory and learning in people with low DHEA levels
- Reduced symptoms of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- Enhanced fertility
- Increased lean body mass
- Reduced risk or worsening symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
- Less fatigue
- Improved blood sugar control
- Better sleep
- Improved overall well-being
More research is needed to determine the extent of DHEA’s effects on diseases and their risk factors. Despite the numerous potential benefits of DHEA supplementation, researchers suggest there is a risk of recreational DHEA misuse in healthy individuals. That’s why medical supervision is important.
Circadian Rhythms and Hormonal Production
Circadian rhythm is the human body’s internal clock, helping us feel tired when it’s dark and more awake when it’s light outside. Potential effects on circadian rhythms include stress, physical activity, food intake, temperature, and social environments.
Circadian rhythms influence sleep patterns, appetite, digestion, hormone release, and other physiological processes. The human body naturally produces DHEA peaks and troughs throughout the day and night.
Some studies suggest that taking DHEA before bedtime stimulates the body’s circadian rise of nighttime DHEA secretion, benefiting individuals with low DHEA levels by improving muscle strength and supporting better sleep quality.
Benefits of Taking DHEA at Night
Examples of the benefits of taking DHEA at night include:
Enhanced Hormonal Synchronization
Nighttime DHEA supplementation may help align with the body’s natural hormone cycles or compensate for lower night DHEA levels. Therefore, taking DHEA supplements before bed can improve its absorption and effectiveness.
Improved Sleep Quality
Hormone balance appears to impact sleep architecture and overall restfulness. Researchers found that low DHEA levels can cause sleep disturbances in people with obstructive sleep apnea. Studies suggest that taking DHEA at night optimizes sleep quality. This might be because of the relationship between DHEA and melatonin (sleep hormone).
Stress Reduction
Researchers found that DHEA supplementation is linked to significant decreases in cortisol levels, which is beneficial for stress management and recovery.
Other Benefits
In addition to the benefits listed above, other potential perks (backed by research) associated with taking DHEA supplements at night include increased muscle strength, less depression, a stronger immune system, and a higher sex drive in women with adrenal insufficiency and low DHEA levels.
Scientific Evidence and Studies
Studies examining the effects of nighttime DHEA supplementation are limited. One study suggested that taking DHEA at night is the most beneficial because human adrenal glands secrete DHEA in a pulse-like pattern, with a higher frequency at night.
The researchers suggest that nighttime DHEA administration maximizes the supplement’s benefits, particularly in supporting higher-quality sleep.
Another study suggests that low DHEA levels in healthy individuals can induce sleep disturbances in obstructive sleep apnea patients. Interestingly, researchers found that DHEA supplementation can either stimulate or inhibit sleep, depending on DHEA’s effects on estrogen and testosterone levels.
Researchers also discovered the possibility that higher daytime DHEA levels are linked to deeper sleep in regularly meditating people.
Taking DHEA before bedtime may be helpful for older adults who have difficulty sleeping at night because their bodies produce higher levels of DHEA during the day — but not enough at night.
Practical Considerations
It’s important to talk with a healthcare provider before taking DHEA supplements because they can affect hormone balance and can interact with certain medications. This supplement may have a steroid effect, increasing the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers, acne, and male-pattern hair growth in women.
Furthermore, research shows that amounts of DHEA in over-the-counter supplements may differ significantly from those listed on the supplement fact labels. Therefore, obtaining DHEA supplements from a compounding pharmacy under medical supervision is best.
Breastfeeding women, pregnant women, and children should avoid DHEA supplements. People under 40 generally aren’t encouraged to take DHEA supplements unless their DHEA levels are low.
DHEA Dosing Guidelines
While standard guidelines aren’t available for DHEA supplementation, the common dosages used in research studies are 20-200 milligrams daily. The exact amount that’s most beneficial for an individual depends on the results of lab tests evaluating their current DHEA levels. After beginning supplementation, routine blood tests help promote optimal hormone balance.
Researchers found that taking a single morning dose of 25-50 milligrams of DHEA is enough to restore normal DHEA levels in adults with adrenal insufficiency. Treatments generally begin by prescribing 25 grams of DHEA daily (sometimes less for women).
Avoid taking DHEA at night if you notice negative effects on sleep quality or if it interacts with any of your medications.
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Key Takeaways
- The potential research-backed benefits of taking DHEA supplements at night include better sleep, improved muscle strength, reduced depression, improved sex drive, stronger immunity, stress reduction, and hormone synchronization.
- However, some practitioners suggest taking DHEA in the morning. Because of its impact on hormone balance, it’s vital to consult with a healthcare provider before beginning a new supplementation regimen, particularly if it includes DHEA. Routine DHEA testing is also vital when supplementing with this hormone.
- Future research would help determine the full extent of DHEA’s effects on circadian rhythm and the best time to take this dietary supplement for optimal health and well-being.
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