As we have already discussed, the body responds to stress by releasing the corticosteroid, cortisol into the bloodstream. Cortisol, in addition to preparing the body to deal with a stressful situation, reduces the amount of DHEA in the body. This inverse relationship between DHEA and cortisol has significant implications for your overall health and wellbeing.

Research conducted independently by two highly regarded researchers in the field of hormone replacement therapy, Dr. William Regelson of the Medical College of Virginia and Dr. Omid Khorram of the University of Wisconsin, indicates that DHEA impacts the immune system indirectly through its relationship with corticosteroids. When DHEA levels in the body rise, there is a complementary drop in cortisol and vice versa. So, beyond DHEAs benefits to heart health, physical appearance and longevity, DHEA also serves to help the body counter stress and reduce harmful buildups of cortisol.

To understand the full benefits of maintaining an optimal level of DHEA, one must first understand how cortisol affects the body. Cortisol is not inherently detrimental to the body. In response to stress, it serves to prepare the body for strenuous activity. It is an essential part of the basic “fight or flight” stress response.

However, when there is not a sufficient amount of DHEA in the body to counter the cortisol, it can build up. This is where problems arise. Cortisol is a corticosteroid and, like all corticosteroids, it suppresses the immune system. This can lead to a number of problems ranging from moderate health concerns, like weight gain, decreased energy and accelerated aging, to serious conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes.

DHEA is the obvious solution to countering the potentially damaging effects of cortisol accumulation. However, the very presence of cortisol and the body’s response to the ongoing stress of everyday life hinders DHEA production. Even when stress is minimal, the body’s production of DHEA decreases as we age.

Stress is something that we all have to deal with in varying degrees. It doesn’t have to ruin our health or age us before our time, though. If your body is no longer able to produce adequate amounts of DHEA to balance the cortisol in your body, it makes good sense to supplement your existing hormone production with bioidentical DHEA. Anyone feeling the negative effects of chronic stress should talk to their doctor to find out if they can benefit from bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to supplement their levels of DHEA and other hormones which are essential for living a longer, healthier life.

Material provided is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent disease and has not been evaluated by the FDA.

REVITA Anti-Aging recommends you consult a specially trained Age Management or Anti-Aging Physician before starting bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Bioidentical hormones should only be taken when clinical deficiencies are found by a trained physician via lab testing. REVITA Medical, PC physicians perform evaluations and specialized testing to qualify patients for treatment.