DHEA

What is it? DHEA (full name: dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which is closely related to the human hormone testosterone.

How does it work? DHEA is claimed to promote similar changes to increased testosterone in the body - ie. improved strength and increased muscle mass, with lower body fat.

How strong is the evidence that it does what it's claimed to do? Weak. There are very few scientific studies that have been carried out on DHEA supplementation, and those that have are small-scale studies, which have produced very mixed results.

There's also very little known about the possible long-term health effects of DHEA supplementation, about which concerns have been expressed. In conlusion, not only is there little scientific evidence for the benefits of DHEA, its safety is also an issue. And since the International Olympic Committee lists DHEA on its banned substances list, my advice is to leave well alone!