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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- “The British Journal of Nutrition”; The Ethanolamide Metabolite of DHA, Docosahexaenoylethanolamine, Shows immunomodulating Effects in Mouse Peritoneal and RAW264.7 Macrophages: Evidence for a New Link between Fish Oil and Inflammation; J. Meijerink, et al.; 2011
- “The British Journal of Nutrition”; The Ethanolamide Metabolite of DHA, Docosahexaenoylethanolamine, Shows immunomodulating Effects in Mouse Peritoneal and RAW264.7 Macrophages: Evidence for a New Link between Fish Oil and Inflammation; J. Meijerink, et al.; 2011
- “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition”; Effects of Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Vitamin E on Hormones Involved in Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism in Men; S.J. Bhathena, et al.; 1991
- “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition”; Effects of Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Vitamin E on Hormones Involved in Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism in Men; S.J. Bhathena, et al.; 1991
- MayoClinic.com: DHEA; July 2011
- MayoClinic.com: DHEA Dosing; July 2011
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
DHEA & Fish Oil
Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a hormone produced by the body. After age 30, levels of this hormone start to decrease. Many drugs and supplements also may decrease your DHEA levels, including fish oil, a popular supplement rich in omega-3 fatty acids that lowers triglycerides and reduces risk for heart disease. Check with your doctor before taking fish oil if you are concerned about your DHEA levels.
Significance
DHEA is a precursor to androgens and estrogens, or male and female sex hormones, respectively. It is secreted by your adrenal gland and also available as a supplement in tablet, capsule and injection forms. Supplemental DHEA appears useful for treating adrenal insufficiency, depression and systemic lupus erythematosus, according to MayoClinic.com. Your DHEA levels may be low if you have anorexia, Type 2 diabetes, adrenal insufficiency, end-stage kidney disease, AIDS or if you are critically ill. Drugs such as insulin, opiates, oral contraceptives, aromatase inhibitors and corticosteroids also can deplete your DHEA levels. Taking fish oil also appears to decrease DHEA levels, according to the “Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements,” by Paul M. Coates 3.
- DHEA is a precursor to androgens and estrogens, or male and female sex hormones, respectively.
- Supplemental DHEA appears useful for treating adrenal insufficiency, depression and systemic lupus erythematosus, according to MayoClinic.com.
Research
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Not all scientific research points to a reduction in DHEA in every instance of fish oil use. For example, a 1991 “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” study notes that fish oil alone does not significantly change blood levels of DHEA. Fish oil plus vitamin E, however, did appear to decrease DHEA levels.
DHEA vs DHA
Do not confuse DHEA with DHA, which is one of the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil. DHA stands for docosahexaenoic acid. The other omega-3 fatty acid in fish oil is eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA. DHA is found in cold water fatty fish such as:
- salmon
- tuna
- shellfish
- mackerel
- sardines
- herring
You can find it in supplement form – either extracted from algae or in fish oil capsules that also contain EPA.
- Do not confuse DHEA with DHA, which is one of the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil.
- The other omega-3 fatty acid in fish oil is eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA.
The DHA Metabolite DHEA
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; 2011'). This type of DHEA is a substance that’s produced as your body metabolizes, or breaks down, DHA. This type of DHEA appears to have anti-inflammatory effects in your body, according to a 2011 “British Journal of Nutrition” study. It may reduce inflammation by reducing production and expression of certain proteins as well as nitric oxide.
- This type of DHEA is a substance that’s produced as your body metabolizes, or breaks down, DHA.
- This type of DHEA appears to have anti-inflammatory effects in your body, according to a 2011 “British Journal of Nutrition” study.
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References
- “The British Journal of Nutrition”; The Ethanolamide Metabolite of DHA, Docosahexaenoylethanolamine, Shows immunomodulating Effects in Mouse Peritoneal and RAW264.7 Macrophages: Evidence for a New Link between Fish Oil and Inflammation; J. Meijerink, et al.; 2011
- “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition”; Effects of Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Vitamin E on Hormones Involved in Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism in Men; S.J. Bhathena, et al.; 1991
- “Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements”; Paul M. Coates; 2005
- National Instutites of Health MedlinePlus. Wild yam. Updated April 18, 2018.
- National Institutes of Health MedlinePlus. DHEA. Updated May 29, 2019.
- Park SG, Hwang S, Kim JS, Park KC, Kwon Y, Kim KC. The association between dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and bone mineral density in Korean men and women. J Bone Metab. 2017;24(1):31–36. doi:10.11005/jbm.2017.24.1.31
- von Mühlen D, Laughlin GA, Kritz-Silverstein D, Bergstrom J, Bettencourt R. Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation on bone mineral density, bone markers, and body composition in older adults: the DAWN trial. Osteoporos Int. 2008;19(5):699–707. doi:10.1007/s00198-007-0520-z
- Peixoto C, Devicari Cheda JN, Nardi AE, Veras AB, Cardoso A. The effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the treatment of depression and depressive symptoms in other psychiatric and medical illnesses: A systematic review. Curr Drug Targets. 2014;15(9):901-14.
- Cleveland Clinic. Prasterone, DHEA tables or capsules (Dietary supplements).
- Archer DF. Dehydroepiandrosterone intra vaginal administration for the management of postmenopausal vulvovaginal atrophy. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2015 Jan;145:139-43. doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2014.09.003
- Freitas RP, Lemos TM, Spyrides MH, Sousa MB. Influence of cortisol and DHEA-S on pain and other symptoms in post menopausal women with fibromyalgia. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2012;25(4):245-52. doi:10.3233/BMR-2012-0331.
- Gómez-Santos C, Hernández-Morante JJ, Tébar FJ, et al. Differential effect of oral dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate on metabolic syndrome features in pre- and postmenopausal obese women. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2012;77(4):548-54. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2265.2011.04306.x.
- Panjari M, Davis SR. DHEA for postmenopausal women: a review of the evidence. Maturitas. 2010;66(2):172-9. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2009.12.017
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Writer Bio
Linda Tarr Kent is a reporter and editor with more than 20 years experience at Gannett Company Inc., The McClatchy Company, Sound Publishing Inc., Mach Publishing, MomFit The Movement and other companies. Her area of expertise is health and fitness. She is a Bosu fitness and stand-up paddle surfing instructor. Kent holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Washington State University.