DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). This is the only official prohormone (a compound that gets converted in the body into a hormone, such as testosterone or estrogen) that’s allowed to be sold in supplement form. (Other prohormone supplements were banned by the FDA many years ago because of safety concerns.)
The thing about DHEA is that it can increase estrogen levels in men as much as it increases testosterone when taken at higher doses (100 milligrams or more). (Those athletes who were taking DHEA for athletic performance enhancement many years ago were probably getting more in touch with their feminine side!)
The prescription drug testosterone does everything DHEA can do—and more— and it’s safer and smarter. There’s a saying I trot out at lectures: “If you want to go to the Super Bowl, don’t try and sneak in the back door, just buy a ticket.” In other words, you’re better off just taking testosterone. Studies have also shown that DHEA can lower your good (HDL) cholesterol, which is not heart healthy.
