DHEA May Have A Significant Impact On Lean Body Mass In one study conducted by D. Jakubowicz and colleagues, 22 men took 300 mg of DHEA nightly for 30 days. They observed an average 27% fall in insulin levels. They also found an 89% increase in IGF-1 (a powerful hormone with multi-faceted effects, most notable its growth hormone-like effects on body composition), a 14% decrease in body fat, and a 7.8% increase in lean body mass. DHEA May Block Cortisol’s Catabolic (Breakdown) Effects On Muscle Tissue Other discussions at the DHEA conference centered on the Cortisol - DHEA relationship. Cortisol is a catabolic (tissue breakdown) inducing stress hormone. Exercise has been shown to significantly raise serum cortisol levels. These exercise- induced, elevated cortisol levels may contribute profoundly to catabolic effects on muscle tissue. DHEA has been shown to block some acute effects of stress induced cortisol release. Pure Pharmaceutical DHEA - Not Mexican Wild Yam Because Mexican Wild Yam contains precursors to DHEA, many unscrupulous companies are trying to masquerade this herb for the real thing. Mexican Wild Yam does not contain any DHEA. Mexican Wild Yam has not been shown in any studies to have the positive effects that real DHEA has. AST Sports Science uses only pharmaceutical quality DHEA. DHEA May Have A Profound Influence On Positive Body Composition Alteration Favoring Lean Muscle Tissue Accrual Yet another study revealed that high dose DHEA supplementation decreased body fat levels by 31% while maintaining the same overall body weight in just 28 days. This indicates a significant increase in lean body mass at the expense of body fat. This study shows DHEA may have a profound ability to significantly alter body composition to favor lean mass accrual. DHEA May Cause Healthier - Leaner Eating Habits Another study showed DHEA had an interesting effect on the choice of foods consumed. A controlled animal study showed those administered with DHEA, when given a choice, chose lean protein and carbohydrate foods as opposed to foods comprised of high fat.