Background 
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) is an endogenous hormone (made in the human body), and secreted by the adrenal gland. DHEA serves as precursor to male and female sex hormones (androgens and estrogens). DHEA levels in the body begin to decrease after age 30, and are reported to be low in some people with anorexia, end-stage kidney disease, type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes), AIDS, adrenal insufficiency, and in the critically ill. DHEA levels may also be depleted by a number of drugs, including insulin, corticosteroids, opiates, and danazol.
DHEA is an anti-aging hormone that improves the immune system and increases the effectiveness of brain neurons
DHEA is a natural sterone produced by the adrenal gland, and is the most common sterone in human blood.
Levels of DHEA decline rapidly with age. Secretions are highest during the early twenties and begin to decline at around age 25, by the time we reach 70 years of age, DHEA production is only a small fraction of what it was 50 years earlier. Research has shown a correlation between low DHEA levels and a declining immune system. Consequently, DHEA is being used in the fight against Aging, allergic disorders, amenorrhea associated with anorexia, andropause/andrenopause, angioedema, anxiety, asthma, bone diseases, bone loss associated with anorexia, bladder cancer, breast cancer, burns, colon cancer, dementia, diabetes, heart attack, high cholesterol, Huntington's disease, influenza, joint diseases, lipodystrophy in HIV, liver protection, malaria, malnutrition, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, pancreatic cancer, Parkinson's disease, performance enhancement, polycystic ovarian syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), premenstrual syndrome, prostate cancer, Raynaud's disease, skin graft healing, sleep disorders, stress, tetanus, ulcerative colitis, viral encephalitis and much more.
There is sufficient evidence supporting the use of DHEA in the treatment of adrenal insufficiency, depression, induction of labor, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
It has also been clinically shown that DHEA helps brain neurons establish contact – and it is known that Alzheimer patients have low DHEA levels. Which is why DHEA is now being considered as a treatment for senile dementia. An additional feature of DHEA is that a small amount of sulfate DHEA and micronized DHEA can convert into the steroid hormone testosterone.
DHEA's most over-looked, yet vital, role may be its relationship with cortisol. Research is indicating that DHEA is the counter-balance to cortisol. That is, when DHEA is low cortisol levels are high and vice-versa. Cortisol is one of the few hormones that tend to increase with age, it is known to induce stress and when allowed to circulate at high levels for long periods may affect many bodily functions, including damaging insulin resistance and the endocrine system including the hypothalamus. Maintaining healthy levels of DHEA to lower cortisol levels may be its most important role for aging and stressed individuals.
Subliminal
DHEA is now available in micronized/sublinial capsule form, improving absorption and bio-availability.
General Dosage:
Take 25mg to 100mg daily with occasional breaks.
Oral 7-Keto
7-keto is a DHEA specifically targeted towards the immune function. In addition, 7-keto DHEA is known NOT to convert to androgens (and therefore NOT to testosterone or estrogen also) and may be more suitable for those wishing to avoid that effect.
Dosage:
7-keto DHEA as a final metabolite is believed to be two and a half times more potent per mg than other forms of DHEA. Doses of 7-keto DHEA are 25mg to 50mg daily with occasional breaks.