Dangerous—avoid!

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

DHEA is a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal glands, gonads and brain. "Extracts of the Mexican yam Dioscorea or the wild yam Dioscorea villosa are not converted to DHEA following ingestion."

The PDR emphasizes that DHEA and its metabolite DHEA-S should not be used unless ordered by a doctor for documented abnormally low levels of DHEA.

It says, "Regarded as a drug by many researchers and banned for all uses in the United Kingdom and Canada, the use of DHEA as a supplement is not indicated for the treatment or prevention of any condition without qualified medical recommendation and monitoring. The best available research suggests that DHEA, particularly at the high doses many have reported are being used, poses potentially serious health risks."

Dr. Nancy Klimas has warned us of DHEA's strong potential to cause breast and ovarian cancer as well as prostate cancer during her talks to the  Massachusetts CFIDS/ME & FM Association.