Healthy Happy 2020

DHEA and Seasonal Affective Disorder: Solutions to the Winter Blues

Seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or the winter blues, tends to worsen in the colder winter months. Shorter days offer less available sunlight, and temperatures drop, exacerbating making unpleasant to go outside. This is particularly relevant when considering the science behind SAD. In this article, we discuss how DHEA, sun light, vitamin D, sleep, and exercise play a part in managing SAD symptoms.

Could some simple lifestyle choices like getting outside in nature more, getting some exercise or prioritizing sleep significantly improve your health and mood? Yes.

There are two substances that fall into the category of “Fountain of Youth”. They are Vitamin D and DHEA, short for dehydroepiandrosterone.

Both of these substances are large carbon chain molecules that are produced in the body from dietary cholesterol.

Vitamin D

Adequate levels of Vitamin D are important for bone strength, improved mood, physical performance, healthy immune function.

A deficiency of a particular kind of vitamin D, known as vitamin D3 can result in weight gain, depressed mood, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome,  joint degradation and diseases of aging like arthritis and hypertension.

Vitamin D is a steroid hormone made from cholesterol. When our skin is exposed to sunlight, cholesterol can be converted into Vitamin D3. However, during the winter months, many people do not get enough sunlight exposure, leading to potential deficiencies.

Food sources of vitamin D include egg yolk, fatty fish and beef liver. However, it is challenging to obtain adequate Vitamin D3 from food sources alone.

Vitamin D3 Supplementation is recommended, usually ranging from 2,000 IU to 5,000 IU daily. Additionally, supplementing with Vitamin K2 is advisable to prevent arterial calcification.

Regular testing of Vitamin D levels is recommended, with the goal of maintaining a level within the range of 50 – 80 ng/mL. At-home test kits are available online for convenience.

DHEA for SAD

DHEA, short for Dehydroepiandrosterone, is a precursor hormone synthesized from cholesterol. It is secreted by the adrenal glands and metabolized in the gonads and skin. A lab can cheaply and easily test your DHEA-S. DHEA sulphate is the lab test used as the measure for DHEA level.

DHEA is the most abundant foundation or base from which the body makes hormones.

Levels of DHEA peak between ages 20-25 and gradually decline thereafter, affecting bone density, muscle strength, and overall vitality. This decline can contribute to conditions like the side effects of menopause and mood-related issues, including seasonal affective disorder.

Human DHEA for depression levels with age

Hence, it is not unexpected to discover that many adults between the ages of 35 and 65 begin to lack drive and vitality and feel tired. Some people describe it as losing their focus and fitness. Unfortunately, many physicians prescribe antidepressant drugs without first offering more fundamental approaches like getting outside and getting some sun light, exercising, sleeping 6-8 hours, or DHEA cream.

When DHEA levels are low, the body has lower hormone metabolism. This can make you feel bloated, fatigued and stressed. Low DHEA  can weaken the immune system and make you more susceptible to colds and flu as well. Medical research studies show that study participants with low DHEA levels reported lower on the Hamilton Depression rating scale. Basically, low hormone levels have consistently been associated with feeling unhappy or sad. Hormones are the protein molecules that drive us. Hormones affect how we feel, how motivated we are, energy level, cognitive function and physical performance.

dhea cream for Seasonal Affective Disorder

 

Quick Facts about DHEA for Mood Boost

  • Most abundant prohormone in the body.
  • For men and women alike, DHEA peaks by age 25, then declines annually at a rate of 2%.
  • After age 35 hormones like DHEA, androgens, estrogens gradually decrease. Cortisol gradually increases.
  • Multitude of benefits backed by scientific studies
  • Skin benefits reflect overall youthfulness and health.
  • More active when applied to the skin than when taken orally.
  • Converted to other hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.
  • Not addictive or habit-forming, available without a prescription.
  • No dangerous side effects.
  • Building block for hormones, sebum, collagen, cartilage, and more.

We find DHEA to be an effective treatment for midlife-onset major and minor depression. (PJ Schmidt, M.D. and RC Daly, M.D.)

Exercise & Sleep

In addition to using Twist 25 DHEA cream, maintaining an active lifestyle and prioritizing adequate sleep are also important parts of managing seasonal affective disorder.

Regular exercise, even in the form of simple activities like walking or stretching, can have significant benefits for physical and mental health. Outdoor activity, in particular, can get your heart rate up and also provide some skin exposure to natural sunlight, which is beneficial for mood.

Ensuring sufficient sleep, typically 6-8 hours per night, is crucial for overall well-being and can help mitigate symptoms of SAD.

Bottom Line on DHEA For Depression

Seasonal affective disorder can significantly impact one’s quality of life, particularly during the colder, darker months of the year. While there are various factors at play, including sunlight exposure and hormonal balance, incorporating lifestyle changes such as DHEA cream, exercise, and adequate sleep can help turn things around.

Prioritizing some basic healthy behaviors, and using Twist 25 DHEA cream every day can stave off seasonal affective disorder to maintain health and vitality in the winter months.

FAQs about DHEA Cream

Is DHEA safe for long term use?
Yes. There are no dangerous side effects from using DHEA cream. DHEA is the most abundant naturally occurring pro-homone in the human body.
Do men and women have different DHEA?
No. The DHEA molecule itself is the same for men as for women. Men and women both produce the exact same molecule known as DHEA; but men typically make a bit more than women do. Women’s levels peak at about 350-400; while for men, levels peak at between 350-650. Here are the typical “normal” levels throughout life for men and women at different ages.
Will DHEA cream have adverse side effects?
There are no known dangerous side effects to using DHEA cream. Health2Go always recommends that you talk with your doctor about any changes you make with your supplements and medications and lifestyle. But there is no logical reason that the most abundant naturally occurring pro-hormone in the human body would harm you in any way.
Can I use Twist 25 DHEA cream if I am taking medications? Yes. DHEA, dehydroepiandrosterone, is not a foreign substance. It not a medication or drug. It is the most abundant naturally occurring pro-hormone in the human body. DHEA is available over the counter (OTC) without a prescription. Health2Go recommends you consult with your physician about using Twist 25 DHEA cream and any other supplements.
How long does it usually take to get noticeable anti-aging results using DHEA cream?
If used two times per day, beneficial results begin to be noticeable within 2-3 weeks.
If I use Twist 25 DHEA cream will it cause me to make less of my own DHEA? Do I need to take breaks or “holidays” from using Twist 25 DHEA cream?
No. DHEA is not addictive or habit forming. When you use DHEA cream it does not cause your body to make less of it’s own DHEA. Therefore, if you choose to discontinue use, you will go right back to producing you do naturally. No problem at all. So there is no reason to take breaks or holidays from using the cream daily. There are no dangerous side effects from using DHEA.
How does DHEA compare to other anti-aging approaches like Botox or filler or exfolliants? HGH?
Twist 25 DHEA cream simply lets the body do what it does naturally with DHEA in the skin. It is providing a crucial foundation for young soft skin that is naturally plentiful in our 20s and putting it back for people 35 and up. It is simply letting our body function at it’s best. No weird invasive foreign substances. Just nature at it’s best.
HGH is Human Growth Hormone. There are many documented problems and potentially dangerous side effects from using HGH as an anti-aging strategy. HGH is also very expensive with far fewer potential benefits versus the high risks of very dangerous side effects including physical deformities.
Can DHEA cream be used on the face?
Yes. Just a small dab on the finger massaged gently into the forehead, cheeks, and neck can to wonders for how young you look. The main application should sill be rubbed into the sides or abdomen with the inner arm; but it is too much cream to rub in the entire 1-2 squirt application on the face and neck. Avoid getting the cream too close to the eyes because it can irritate very thin sensitive skin. Twist 25 DHEA cream is recommended for external use only.
Does DHEA cream improve skin elasticity and firmness?
Yes. Improvements in skin collagen, which is the fabric of the skin, allows for skin to be more firm and toned, less thin and papery; and sebum helps to hydrate the skin.
Can Twist 25 DHEA cream help with wrinkles and fine lines?
Yes. The beneficial effects of enhanced sebum and collagen in the skin gradually help reduce and eliminate fine lines and wrinkles we often get as we get older.
Can DHEA cream help reduce age spots?
Yes.DHEA cream helps fade age spots and keratoses.
Can I use Twist 25 DHEA cream if I am already using other anti-aging skin care products?
Yes; but it is best not to mix the cream with other cream or skin care product to maintain it’s effectiveness. Twist 25 DHEA cream is specially formulated skin cream designed to do what it does. It is best to use just the Twist 25 DHEA cream as it is; do not mix it with other products.
At what age should I start using Twist 25 DHEA cream for anti-aging benefits?
Most people make enough DHEA until about age 35. So Health2Go generally recommends using Twist 25 DHEA cream for anyone 35 and up.
Will DHEA cream increase or decrease my thyroid?
No. DHEA cream Twist 25 will not increase or decrease thyroid levels.
How long does a bottle of Twist 25 DHEA cream last? One container of Twist 25 cream contains 50 ml of cream. Each full pump press releases 0.5 ml of cream. One ml of cream contains 25 mg DHEA. So it is a 5% DHEA cream. It is a good idea to give the pump a firm thump with the cap on it on a countertop or table to make sure air is cleared from the actuator head to prime the pump before each use. There are about 80 squirts of cream in a bottle. So, if one pump press is applied each morning and evening, one container of cream will last about 40 days.
Where can I buy a top quality DHEA cream?
Health2Go is here to help. If you have any questions not answered here, please call 1-888-489-4782 and ask to speak with Hugh Woodward.

References:

Wolkowitz OM, Reus VI, Roberts E, et al “Dehydroepiandrosteron (DHEA) Treatment of Depression” Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine 94143-0984, U.S.A. Feb 1, 1997https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9024954/

Schmidt PJ, Daly RC, et al “Dehydroepiandrosterone monotherapy in Midlife-onset Major and Minor Depression” Behavioral Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Rockville, MD 20892-1276, U.S.A. Feb 2005 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15699292/

G. Valenti, L. Ferrucci, F. Laurentani, G. Ceresini, S. Bandinelli, M. Luci, G. Ceda, M. Maggio, and R.S. Schwartz “Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and cognitive function in the elderly. The InCHIANTI Study” Journal of Endocrinology Invest. Oct 2009: 32(9): 766-772 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6106776/

Stephenson K, et al “The Effects of compounded bioidentical transdermal hormone therapy on hemostatic, inflammatory, immune factors; cardiovascular biomarkers; quality of life measures;and healthoutcomes in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.” Womens Wellness Center, Tyler, Texas, U.S.A. Feb 17, 2013 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23627249/

Clarke JL, Skoufalos A, Medalia A, Fendrick AM. Improving health outcomes for patients with depression: a population health imperative. Report on an expert panel meeting. Population Health Management. 2016;19(S2):S-1-S-12. doi:10.1089/pop.2016.0114

Penckofer S, Kouba J, Byrn M, Ferrans CE. Vitamin D and Depression: Where is all the Sunshine? Issues in mental health nursing. 2010;31(6):385-393. doi:10.3109/01612840903437657.

 

Hugh R. Woodward, MHA

Hugh Woodward is President/CEO of Health2Go, Inc. Health2Go makes and sells Twist 25 DHEA cream.
Hugh has a BBA in Business Management from University of Texas in Austin, Texas and an MHA, Master of Science in Health Care Administration.

Hugh is a subject matter expert on DHEA dedicating the past 20+ years of his life to studying the medical research about it. Hugh started Health2Go, Inc. in 2007 to research and develop the safest most effective DHEA supplement cream that can be made.













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