The Best DHEA Supplements

Comparisons have been drawn between DHEA and the fountain of life for those over 40. While its long list of supposed benefits is far from conclusive, initial research seems to back up the hype. For the time being, it’s definitely worth considering adding a DHEA supplement to your stack.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular DHEA supplement options out there and hopefully shed some light on how to get the most out of them. As with most supplements, the difference between a good option and a bad option comes down to the surrounding ingredients and the level of absorption. Our research seems to point towards SheerStrength’s Max Strength DHEA being the best option for supplementing DHEA.

The Best DHEA Supplements Comparison

Image	Name	DHEA/Capsule
	Maximum Strength DHEA Sheer Strength Labs	100mg
	Pure DHEA Mental Refreshment Nutrition	100mg
	Pure DHEA aSquared Nutrition	100mg
	Extra Strength DHEA Havasu Nutrition	50mg
	Muscle Attack DHEA	100mg

Each and every supplement above will provide at least some of the benefits associated with DHEA supplementation. To find a full list of what benefits to expect and how to maximize their effect skip ahead to our DHEA guide section. Moving on, we’ll look at which DHEA supplements are best.

The Best DHEA Supplements

DHEA is a naturally occurring adrenal steroid hormone that is believed to boost free testosterone levels during intense training. The jury is still out on it’s effectiveness, but all research so far makes the verdict seem likely to be a positive one.

The effectiveness of DHEA supplements depends somewhat on the level of absorption. This is something that can be influenced by breaking down the active ingredient in small absorbable chunks, a technique called micronization. We’ve taken this into account alongside numerous other factors such as allergen content, and ingredient sourcing. Below are the best DHEA supplements for those looking to gain a strength advantage during intense workouts.

Maximum Strength DHEA Sheer Strength Labs

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This dosage of DHEA is what you need to see results, according to Sheer Strength Labs. Each dose has a full 100mg, which will give you results that you can both see and feel. If this turns out to not be true for you, Sheer Strength offers a 60-day money-back-guarantee to make you feel more confident when buying their product.

Unlike many other supplements on the market, you can rest assured that there are no GMOs, fillers, binders, or preservatives in this product. There is also no gluten, soy, dairy, peanuts, or egg, make this a safe supplement for those with allergies. This product is both vegan and vegetarian-friendly.

Sheer Strength makes their supplements in the USA in a facility that is both state-of-the-art and GMP-certified. GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practice. This helps to make sure they are putting out a consistent and safe product. They have their products tested by a third-party to ensure fair and accurate results.

Pure DHEA Mental Refreshment Nutrition

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Here is another product that strictly follows the Good Manufacturing Practices and is made in facilities that adhere to those standards. These facilities are also registered with the FDA. These DHEA supplements are manufactured in the United States and come with a 30-day, 100% satisfaction guarantee. Each and every product put out by Mental Refreshment Nutrition goes through stringent testing to make sure it is both safe and effective.

This is a relatively natural product that contains no artificial coloring, artificial flavor, or preservatives. You will also find no yeast, corn, milk or milk derivatives, lactose, salt, soy, sugar, gluten, starch or wheat. On the label it says it contains DHEA, gelatin, and rice powder.

If you are looking for a supplement that gives you 100mg in one capsule, this is another good option for you. The makers call this “pharmaceutical-grade DHEA” and user reviews report largely positive results when using this product.

Pure DHEA aSquared Nutrition

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This product is also considered “maximum-strength,” giving you 100mg per dose. Like the others, it is manufactured in the USA and is formulated in GMP compliant facilities. The manufacturers are so confident that you will like their product that they offer a 30-day, 100% money-back-guarantee. These products are thoroughly tested to ensure quality.

These capsules are small and easy to swallow. The manufacturer points out that this is a 200-day supply unless you take the maximum daily dose of 200mg, in which case it will obviously last you 100 days. The only other ingredients listed other than DHEA on the label are gelatin and rice powder. This means that this is another allergy-friendly supplement.

Coming with both a high dosage and high capsule count, this product gives you a lot of bang for your buck. aSquared is quickly developing a reputation for creating reliable, high-quality products and is continuously added new products to their line-up.

Extra Strength DHEA Havasu Nutrition

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If you are looking to ease your way into DHEA, consider this supplement that gives you 50mg per capsule. This is yet another product that is made in the United States at anGMP facility that is registered with the FDA. If you decide this product is not for you, the manufacturer offers a hassle-free, money-back guarantee for 60 days after you buy it.

This is a very natural product that contains absolutely no chemicals, preservatives, or sugars. The makers test both their raw ingredients and their finished product to make sure they are delivering you with an effective supplement. They test the purity as well as look for heavy metals and chemicals. An ISO accredited lab does their 3rd-party testing.

Again, this product contains DHEA, gelatin, and rice powder. It is considered gluten-free as well as non-GMO. Be aware that this product is made at a facility that may also process a number of allergens, including milk, soy, tree nuts, wheat, and shellfish.

Muscle Attack DHEA

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If you are looking for a DHEA bodybuilding supplement, this may be the one for you. Not only does this product give you 100mg of DHEA, but it also has 30mg of Zinc, 100mg of Tongkat Ali, and 1,380mg of a “proprietary blend.” Rounding out the ingredient list is gelatin, Calcium Carbonate, and Magnesium Stearate. Some of the ingredients are put in there to specifically counter the effects of estrogen that can happen with DHEA supplementation.

Unlike other supplements, this product actually recommends taking it up to three times a day. Rather than taking it daily forever, they tell you to cycle 8 weeks on and then 4 weeks off. This is definitely a product aimed at people trying to build lean muscle mass and get through more repetitions at the gym. It is also meant to help you recover from intense gym workouts. This product is made in the United States at a GMP-certified facility. Each and every batch is tested for both purity and potency.

A Guide To DHEA Supplements

No matter what kind of life you lead, you could benefit from taking DHEA supplements. Whether you are simply looking for a boost in your mood or are a serious bodybuilder, taking the time to find the best DHEA supplement for you is worthwhile. This guide will thoroughly discuss what this supplement is, conditions it may treat, and considerations to make when deciding what product to go with and how much to take.

What is DHEA?

DHEA is short for Dehydroepiandrosterone. It is produced by the brain, adrenal glands, and the gonads. It is basically an endogenous steroid hormone and is found in abundance in your body. Both men and women need this important hormone to help with testosterone and estrogen production.

DHEA can be made in a laboratory from both wild yams and soy. That being said, your body cannot do this itself by simply eating those foods. The only way to add DHEA to your diet is to take it in the form of a nutritional supplement. Studies have shown that levels can be raised naturally either by using caloric restriction or getting regular exercise.

Why Take DHEA?

There are a lot of reasons people are turning to DHEA supplements in growing numbers. While a lot of the reasons revolve around building muscle and getting in shape, there are plenty of more general health benefits as well. Keep in mind that these benefits are still being researched and while studies show promising results, nothing is definite yet.

Reverse Aging

Some studies have shown that increasing your levels of DHEA can help slow down and even reverse the signs of aging. This happens includes improving cognitive function, improving well-being, and helping body composition. This may be especially true for women, who go through many of the obvious signs of aging as their estrogen levels decrease. It’s important to note that many dispute these properties, so it’s far from a given.

Stop Cognitive Decline

As mentioned above, a decline in cognitive function often comes with aging. One area that DHEA has been proven to help is with slowing down and even reversing this in some cases. In fact, the National Institute of Health even says it can slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Osteoporosis

Taking DHEA has been shown to improve bone mineral density. While it does not work as well as other osteoporosis drugs, it is still promising for people who are looking to boost their overall health. If you do not yet have osteoporosis but worry about your bone density, taking DHEA supplements can be a positive preventative measure.

Depression

There have been several promising studies showing that taking DHEA is more effective than placebos in treating depression. Even more promising is the number of people who have reported boosts in their mood when taking this supplement.

Help Reduce Risk of Diabetes

Most people are aware of what an epidemic diabetes is in America right now. Increasing your DHEA levels can help stop you from developing insulin resistance, something that commonly happens with a poor diet and exercise routine. Studies done in animals have shown very promising results in this area.

Overcome Sexual Dysfunction

DHEA has shown promising in aiding sexual dysfunction in both men and women. Some examples of areas it can help are increasing your libido, helping with erectile dysfunction, and even slowing down menopause symptoms, including vaginal dryness. Vaginal atrophy, which is common in post-menopausal women, can be reversed.

Improve Heart Health

Promising studies are showing that DHEA can help with heart health in two important ways. The first is by interfering with atherogenic processes, which basically means stopping plaque from forming in your inner arteries. The second way is by preventing atherosclerosis, which is the process of your arteries getting harder.

Skin

Anyone who is trying to boost the overall appearance of their skin should seriously consider DHEA supplementation. Research is showing that it can improve both the thickness and hydration of the skin in adults as they age.

In addition to all of the things mentioned above, researchers are looking into the ability of DHEA to treat or even cure many other conditions. Examples include Lupus, chronic inflammation, and anorexia nervosa.

Who Can Take DHEA?

Anyone concerned with the signs of aging or any of the other numerous conditions DHEA is thought to alleviate can take DHEA. It should never be taken by children under 18 years of age. Also, pregnant and nursing women should avoid taking this supplement.

Since DHEA levels are naturally abundant in your body until you are around 30, you should not start taking this supplement until you hit this age. The exception here would be if your doctor recommends it. In this case, they will likely monitor you closely for unwanted side effects.

DHEA and Bodybuilding

Bodybuilders are turning to DHEA to help them reach their goals. Taking this supplement can help you lose weight and build lean muscle. This happens in a number of ways. One of the biggest is by helping to boost metabolism. It helps to slow the seemingly inevitable weight gain and muscle loss associated with aging.

DHEA can help your body move around glucose to your cells for energy. It can reduce your insulin levels and stimulate your body into burning fat. Increasing your DHEA levels can help you burn calories more efficiently, even when you are resting. For it’s energy benefits, many consider supplementing it to be a good replacement for caffeine in their daily routine.

Finally, studies are showing that those who take DHEA supplements report feeling “full” after eating less, therefore reducing the number of calories they consume.

DHEA and the Brain

One area that does not get as much attention is how DHEA can act as a neurosteroid. It directly targets certain areas of your brain. Although much more research is needed, it appears as if DHEA can help protect neurons from toxins. One study showed that it can enhance the connections between your amygdala and hippocampus. At the same time, it reduced the activity in both areas, which lead to a decrease in anxiety and certain mood disorders. People with naturally high DHEA levels are often better at cognitive tasks and concentration.

Possible Side Effects

Although unlikely, it is possible that you will experience some side effects when taking DHEA supplements. This is more likely to happen if you do not strictly follow the dosage guidelines. Some of the things to watch out for include upset stomach, headache, nasal congestion, and an irregular heartache.

Women, in particular, need to carefully monitor their dosage and watch for side effects. Since DHEA effects the “sex hormones” it can lead to menstrual changes, facial hair growth, deepening of the voice, and even fertility problems. Women who are trying to get pregnant should consult their doctor before taking DHEA.

Dosage Guidelines

DHEA bodybuilding supplements generally come in capsule form. These capsules can contain anywhere from 25 to 100 milligrams of DHEA each. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends that women start out by taking 25mg per day and that men start out at 50mg.

In order to get the most out of your DHEA supplementation, you should take it in 2 daily doses. It is best to take it at the beginning of a meal. In order to help your body absorb the DHEA properly, the meal should contain some fat. Unlike with pre-workout supplements, daily consistency is key and much more important than the time of day you consume it.

Where To Buy DHEA

Providing you stick to reputable retailers and opt for one of the brands we’ve voted as the best, DHEA supplements are safe to buy online. Since it’s a naturally occurring hormone, it’s the dosage and surrounding ingredients that need to be scrutinized even when choosing the best DHEA brands.

Qualities of the Best DHEA Supplements

If you have decided that you are a candidate for DHEA supplementation, it is important to find a high-quality product to take. Not all supplements are created equally. There are several factors to consider when shopping for DHEA:

Where was it made?

For safety reasons, you will want to look for products that are made in the USA in Good Manufacturing Process compliant facilities. It is also a plus if the facility is FDA-registered.

Is it vegan/vegetarian-friendly?

If you follow either of these diets, use caution when choosing a DHEA supplement. Gelatin is commonly an ingredient in DHEA capsules and it is often made of animal by-products. If a product is vegan and vegetarian-friendly, it will say so right there on the package.

Are there known allergens?

Anyone who suffers from allergies should make sure that their product not only does not contain their trigger but also was not made in a facility that also processes it. Many supplements warn that they are made in a factory that may also process soy, milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, shellfish, etc.

Is the product a good value?

There are two considerations to make when considering the value of DHEA supplements – the dosage and the capsule count. If you need to take 50 or even 100 mg a day, a 60 count of 25 mg capsules will not last you very long. In fact, that is only a 15 day supply if you are taking 100mg a day. Do not be fooled by a low price that will need to be replaced frequently.

Is there anything artificial in it?

Whenever possible, avoid putting unnecessary chemicals into your body. Look for a product that has no artificial colors or preservatives. Pure and natural ingredients are always the way to go.

Has the DHEA been micronized?

Micronized DHEA has had its individual particles reduced to a very tiny size. This allows your body to absorb it 3 to 4 times better. Since the goal is to get the DHEA into your system, micronization is obviously a plus.

Final Thoughts

Although the research is still emerging, things look promising for DHEA supplementation. Numerous studies are showing that people who maintain a healthy level of DHEA tend to lead healthier lifestyles. By finding the best dhea supplement brand and dosage, you may see major improvements in yourself, both mentally and physically.

As with anything you put into your body, make sure you are getting a high-quality product made by a reputable brand. If you experience any unwanted side effects, it is important to check in with your doctor about your DHEA usage.