• Heart disease. In one study, healthy men with low levels of DHEA were three times more likely to die of heart disease than those with high levels of DHEA.
• Aging. Significant positive changes (for example, less muscle wasting, less memory loss, improved mood, and energy) have been seen in some elderly men given DHEA, but more extensive research trials are necessary to determine extent of association.
• Osteoporosis. DHEA increases bone mass in postmenopausal women. However, supplementation is not recommended until more extensive human trials have been conducted.
• Autoimmune disease. Low levels of DHEA have been found in patients with autoimmune disorders (for example, lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, AIDS). DHEA supplements in patients with autoimmune disorders improved their stamina and overall sense of well-being. In particular, patients with lupus treated with DHEA showed improved kidney function.
• Depression. DHEA has been used experimentally in depressed patients who demonstrated improvement in both depression and memory.
• AIDS. DHEA treatment in people with AIDS may have promise because low DHEA levels have been linked to decreased immune function. However, controlled clinical trials have not yet been conducted to investigate this hypothesis.
• Performance enhancement. Because DHEA is believed to build muscle mass, reduce fat, and reduce recovery time following injury, it is popular with athletes. However, human studies are needed to verify these claims. DHEA is also used to enhance sexual performance.

Dietary Sources
Most of the DHEA on the market is made in laboratories from sterols (especially diosgenin) extracted from wild yams found in Mexico.

Other Forms
Some extracts from wild yams are marketed as "natural DHEA." These extracts of diosgenin are believed by some to be converted into DHEA by the body. However, because it takes several chemical reactions to covert diosgenin into DHEA, it is unlikely that the body can make this conversion.