Anti-aging supplement unfairly chided

In a recent column written by Dr. Erik Steele (BDN, Nov. 7), he criticizes and makes light of the use of DHEA supplementation, which is an adrenal sex hormone that declines with age. Studies have validated that those who live longer have higher DHEA levels in their body, even as they age. In an effort to “balance the playing field” for those of us less fortunate, doctors specializing in anti-aging methods include DHEA supplementation in their treatment protocols.

This is another battleground in the war that continues unabated between those who advocate natural approaches to disease prevention and better health and those who are proponents of synthetic drugs. At stake, in this instance, are millions of aging humans who seek to maintain a better quality of life without the need to consume drugs and their potential side effects.

In this war, the public is continually confronted with institutional propaganda aimed at discrediting anything that is an effective, cheap and natural alternative to the high-priced drugs and their risk of side effects. The pharmaceutical industry is well aware of the public’s increasing acceptance for natural alternatives and is concerned as to its effects upon their own economic “bottom line.”

It is ever more apparent that the monopoly in health care that big Pharma has enjoyed in the past is eroding. The arrogance of outrageously priced medications is threatened by significantly cheaper alternatives to drugs in the form of vitamins, minerals, herbals, homeopathics and other supplements.

Big Pharma is fighting back! Regularly, public relations firms hired by big Pharma send news releases to the media describing the recent findings of a “scientific study” published in some medical journal. A steady stream of news releases warn the public that this or that supplement is useless and may even be harmful. Most often a close investigation reveals that these studies were designed to produce the desired negative findings.

Dr. Steele’s writings about DHEA were based upon the findings of a small study published in a recent issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. This singular study showed only “small benefits” from inexpensive DHEA supplementation. The study has serious design flaws. Thus guaranteeing that the conclusions would be negative (no surprise here).

Today, the media world is a powerful vehicle utilized by irresponsible public relations firms, specializing in health, as a vehicle for “spinning” news that satisfies the desires of their employers. Usually those who disagree with a health study or issue that has been released to the media have no media opportunity to refute the findings of the study. We, in Maine, are fortunate to have the BDN in our midst. The BDN frequently publishes opinions that disagree.

As just one example of the flawed NEJM study on the anti-aging efficacy of DHEA, the subjects in this study were not dosed according to their individual needs and therefore did not come anywhere close to achieving the optimal blood levels necessary for obtaining the benefits from DHEA. All subjects were administered the same low doses of DHEA.

Dosing of subjects should have been done to optimal levels of DHEA and based upon their individual laboratory findings – in other words, customizing the dose instead of “one low dose fits all.” Thus, it is no surprise that this flawed study was inconsistent with numerous prior journal studies lauding the health benefits of DHEA. The end result was a guaranteed negative conclusion. The flaws were so significant that the findings concluded had little or no merit. It truly should be tossed into the junk science bin.

A plethora of positive studies already exist linking optimal DHEA levels to lower degenerative disk disease, increased muscle mass and strength in elderly men and women, mid-life depression, insulin sensitivity, arteriosclerosis and more.

It is in the economic interest of the pharmaceutical industry to seek restrictions placed on DHEA by the FDA. After all, the baby-boomer generation has arrived at the years when age-related diseases are caused by widespread deficiencies of specific bodily functions as a result of the aging process, and these include DHEA deficiency.

DHEA is a popular low-cost dietary supplement. It is difficult to credibly claim, as has been done, that the public is being “ripped off” by buying it.

Moshe Myerowitz, D.C., C.C.N., a chiropractic doctor in Bangor, is certified in clinical nutrition by the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board.