Anti-aging scientists agree that our hormone levels decline as we age, and that maintaining a youthful hormonal balance is an essential part of any anti-aging regimen.  Scientists have now focused on DHEA as the key to anti-aging hormone therapy.  In our twenties, DHEA is the most abundant hormone in circulation. From our early 30’s on, there's a steady decline in DHEA production, so the average 75-year-old has 15% of the DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) in circulation that he or she had 50 years earlier.  With these declining hormone levels, comes a general decline in our physical and emotional health. 

But over the past two decades researchers have discovered mechanisms by which supplementing with DHEA protects against age-related decline, most importantly, cognitive decline.   Scientists agree that as we age we experience a decrease in beneficial hormones, such as growth hormone, thyroid and DHEA, and an increase in hormones whose elevated levels are clearly harmful, such as insulin and cortisol (the stress hormone).  This shift in hormonal balance is directly related to the onset and progression of atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, depressed mood, lack of energy and cognitive decline.  Studies confirm low levels of DHEA and high levels of cortisol, increases your risk for dementia. DHEA replacement may be the most important anti-aging therapy, since ultimately there is nothing as important as slowing down the aging of the brain.