I am currently taking Calcium supplement and Bonviva (once a mth) and wondered if there would be a benefit in taking DHEA. The reason I ask is because I have read that stress causes increase in cortisol which then increases bone loss but is balanced by DHEA. I am probably being a bit simplistic. Also should I take magnesium as a supplement or not worry.

Many thanks

Laurence

Thank you for your post asking if the supplement DHEA reduces bone density loss caused by an increased cortisol production related to stress, and also if you should be taking a magnesium supplement.

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a type of ‘precursor’ hormone made in the adrenal glands in the body. This means that it undergoes changes into other substances which include the male and female sex hormones testosterone and oestrogen. DHEA levels in the body appear to reduce as we get older and some studies have looked at whether low DHEA levels may contribute to some medical conditions associated with older age, including loss of bone density (BMD) and osteoporosis.

Now that DHEA has been made artificially and is available as a supplement, there has been interest in its use to prevent osteoporosis. Some studies have shown that it may increase bone density although there is no evidence that it reduces the risk of fractures (breaking bones) associated with osteoporosis and fragile bones. The way that DHEA may affect bone density is not fully understood. Some believe that DHEA can protect the body from high amounts of cortisol produced during times of stress, others that DHEA is converted into oestrogen and testosterone which may help to lessen age related bone density loss. A possible link between high cortisol levels and increased bone density loss has not been fully proven and experts would consider there is insufficient evidence to suggest that DHEA improves bone density in this way or that we should take it to prevent osteoporosis.

Taking a healthy, well balanced diet should enable you to receive enough magnesium for bone health. There is no evidence that a supplement provides any additional benefits if you are not deficient in magnesium. For more information, click the following link http://77.86.16.98/~/document.doc?id=395 for the charity’s leaflet ‘Healthy bones – facts about food’ and scroll through to page 18.

Best wishes

Helpline Nurses
National Osteoporosis Society