[.ca] The DHEA Breakthrough (ISBN 0345426460)

From Amazon.com:
Touted as the fountain of youth in pill form, DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, is a hormone naturally produced by the body. The young body, that is; by age 85, you produce 95 percent less DHEA than at age 25. Stephen Cherniske, a biochemist who has tracked the research on DHEA for years, has compiled a handy reference to help sort out the hype from this hormone's reported helpfulness for boosting libido and immune function, improving bone density, aiding weight loss, relieving depression and atherosclerosis, and even reducing the size of tumors. DHEA is inexpensive and readily available in health food stores or through the Web; that's about where the simplicity wears off. It's not regulated by the FDA, so recommended doses vary widely, from 10 to 50 milligrams or more a day. It's also available in both natural and chemical forms, and, unfortunately, sometimes in combination with potentially dangerous stimulants such as ephedra, an herb that has been shown to cause insomnia and an irregular heartbeat. Cherniske gives suggestions for which type of DHEA to buy and in what doses, depending on such things as your age and activity level, as well as recommended sources. He also provides a "longevity program" with suggested co-supplements, such as ginseng and vitamin B6, along with exercises suited to even the completely out-of-shape, to optimize the effectiveness of the DHEA. There's also information about the ins and outs of DHEA testing and how to analyze your results (Cherniske reminds us that "normal" often tells us nothing), and potential side effects for both women and men. Overall, Cherniske does an excellent job of separating fact from fiction about this controversial but quite extraordinary supplement.

INFO-PACKED, ENGAGING READ:
The author provides all the information one needs to take advantage of and maximize the amazing properties of DHEA in a safe and effective manner. But his DHEA Plan is not only about taking pills, but improving your lifestyle with stress-reduction techniques, an exercise program and dietary advice. Every aspect of DHEA is covered - from the plant in which it is obtained, through the manufacturing process, down to dosage directions. His witty writing style is engaging, and the book concludes with a number of appendices (resources, health support organizations, reasons why it is essential to take vitamin supplements) and a glossary, bibliography and index. I also recommend Ray Sahelian's book on DHEA, Renewal by Timothy J Smith and The Superhormone Promise by William Regelson for a superb overview of ALL the superhormones and other nutrients that can extend and improve human life.

DHEA made me have explosive rage episodes:
After having read all of the hoopla about DHEA, I started taking 25 mg. a day. After a few weeks, I noticed an improvement in my virility, my sense of well being, and my energy level. So far, so good. Then, a curious thing began to occur. I found that I was getting angry at events and people which normally would only annoy me. I didn't think much of it at the time until this problem became worse and worse. After a few more weeks, I was in a nearly constant state of rage. I felt aggressive and angry all of the time. I was dealing with overwhelming feelings of anger several hours a day - even when lying on the beach on my days off! I started on sedatives to calm me down and to let me sleep. Finally, when I could not take it anymore and I was hating the type of man I was turning into, I decided that the few benefits of DEHA were simply not worth the stress, anger, anxiety I was going through and putting others through. I stopped DHEA and began to return to normal within several days. I have no doubt that this hormone caused me all of this trouble - probably by raising my testosterone level to neanderthal levels. Ok, so now I may not have the virility of an 18 year old (although I have since discovered that high exercise levels will improve that area dramatically) and I may not have all of the energy that I would like, but I like myself now and others like me better. I think this is, like melatonin was a few years ago, a big hype with no other purpose except to sell pills and books until we realize that we have all been had - again!

Cherniske's analysis of DHEA is persuasive.:
After reading "The DHEA Breakthrough" by Stephen Cherniske, I bought some DHEA and since my age is 57, I now take 50 mg daily and have been for about 10 months. I can't respond to all of the claims Mr. Cherniske makes, but as to improved energy, strength and increased vitality, the results are there---in spades!

Beware of the source: Stephen Cherniske:
The author boasts both a masters degree from Columbia Pacific University (a non-accredited institution which was ordered to cease operating illegally by the Marin County Superior Court), and membership in The National Academy of Research Biochemists (a group whose membership requirements appear to be no more than a ...payment). As references, I offer bulletins from www.quackwatch.org, a respected online resource whose mission is to "combat health-related ...myths, fads, and fallacies", and the author's own pages from his MLM companies: ...quackwatch......oasisnetwork...mindbodyhealth...

A biochemist's view, not a medical doctor's view:
This book is written in the view of a biochemist, instead of a medical doctor. Actually, some information regarding prostate cancer and testosterone is incorrect, other information are not enough if not incorrect.