DHEA May Have A Significant Impact On Lean Body Mass

In one study conducted by D. Jakubowicz and colleagues, 22 men took 300 mg of DHEA nightly for 30 days. They observed an average 27% fall in insulin levels. They also found an 89% increase in IGF-1 (a powerful hormone with multi-faceted effects, most notable its growth hormone-like effects on body composition), a 14% decrease in body fat, and a 7.8% increase in lean body mass.

DHEA May Block Cortisol’s Catabolic (Breakdown) Effects On Muscle Tissue

Other discussions at the DHEA conference centered on the Cortisol - DHEA relationship. Cortisol is a catabolic (tissue breakdown) inducing stress hormone. Exercise has been shown to significantly raise serum cortisol levels. These exercise- induced, elevated cortisol levels may contribute profoundly to catabolic effects on muscle tissue. DHEA has been shown to block some acute effects of stress induced cortisol release.