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Bob Anderson wrote asking about the benefits, costs, etc about DHEA and NADH. Bob, I scanned in this page on DHEA from Life Extension, a mail order company that advertises itself as the "Ultimate Source for New Health and Medical Findings from Around the World". You can reach them at 1-800-841-841-5433, or visit their website at http://www.lef.org/lef/index.html I am not recommending them, nor can I vouch for the products they sell. They do put out an interesting publication. Judge for yourself! DHEA Because of some recently published studies in elderly humans, the news media have been touting the multi-faceted anti-aging benefits of DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). DHEA is now fulfilling much of the promise indicated in the animal studies that Saul Kent and The Life Extension Foundation have been informing our members about since 1975. For those suffering from adult-onset diabetes, atherosclerosis, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, or any form of autoimmune disease such as multiple sclerosis or lupus, DHEA replacement therapy is highly recommended. DHEA can be expensive for people who need high doses, but for most people it is reasonably priced. We recommend blood tests to measure the effect that DHEA supplementation has on your DHEA serum level. While these tests currently cost $55-$l10, they can save you money by enabling you to lower your daily dose of DHEA. Men should also have more regular PSA (prostate specific anti gen) tests to make sure they do not have prostate cancer. It is regrettable that we have had to advise men with prostate cancer to avoid DHEA because it could increase testosterone (and subsequently dihydrotestosterone levels), which could accelerate the proliferation of prostate cancer cells. For all men taking DHEA, we suggest supple mentation with SERENX (saw palmetto extract) to block the conversion of testosterone into the more dangerous dihydrotestosterone. SERENX(also called PEPMIXON)has not been listed in the top ten because it is not an appropriate therapy for most women. However, for men over 40, we strongly recommend the daily intake of 1-2 capsules of lowcost SERENXto prevent benign 'Prostatic hypertrophyand possibly prostate cancer. If DHEA was completely free of side effects, and did not require blood testing, we might list it higher. It is a well substantiated life extension therapy that can help to pro- tect us againts many of the degenerative diseases associated with aging, and may have an effect on aging itself. LIFE EXTENSION MAGAZINE - 15- 1996 COLLECTOR'S EDITION ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is information from Clinical Pharmacology, a drug software program: Dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA Classification --Hormones and Hormone Modifiers --investigational Indications -proteinuria+ *systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)+ Comments Description: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is produced by both the ovaries and the testes and is converted intc) estrogen and testosterone by peripheral tissues. DHEA is under investigation as a treatment for lupus. Actions: Because SLE occurs more frequently in women than men and because SLE is known to worsen during pregnancy, a hormonal etiology is suspected. DHEA appears to exert a beneficial action in SLE via its ability to alter hormonal balance. DHEA has been shown to be beneficial in SLE while, in a separate study, the semi-synthetic androgen 19-nortestosterone did not improve SLE in female patients and worsened the disease in male patients. Correspondingly, testosterone concentrations increased in patients who received DHEA while they decreased in patients who received the androgen (perhaps due to negative feedback on FSH/LH secretion). Uses: treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); also effectively reduced SLE-associated proteinuria in several patients. Distinguishing Features: DHEA leads to elevation in testosterone concentrations while producing a lower degree of masculinizing effects than occur during administration of erogenous androgens. Major Adverse Reactions: in a 3-month study of 28 women with SLE, the following ADRs were noted: acneiform rash, weight gain (statistical significance not applied). Usual Adult Dose: a dose of 200 mg PO once daily was successful in one study (Arth Rheum 1995;38:1826-31.). Status: still undergoing phase III investigation as of 3/5/96 (verbal communication). Manufacturer: GeneLabs Technologies, Inc., Redwood City, CA. (415)-369-9500. References: --open-label, pilot trial.- van Vollenhoven RF et al. Arth Rheum 1994;17:1305-10. --double-blind, randomized, clinical trial.- van Vollenhoven R et al. Arth Rheum 1995;38:1826-31. -------------------------------------------------------- I hope this helps. Regards,