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I’ve never taken it before but I read a lot about it on bodybuilding forums .
Anyone use DHEA when working out?
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Unless you have a legitimate need for supplementation, like a natural insufficiency, then there isnt a huge benefit to taking most of the available stuff. If there was, then, it would be available in Rx form only. There is no regulation to these OTC wonders.
No idea what your goals are but the formulas are all pretty simple.
Lose weight- eat less.
Gain weight- eat more.
Gain muscle- work them to fatigue, feed them fuel, heal, repeat.
Gain the most muscle the fastest- take prescription or illegal drugs.
Since you talked about gym those are the most likely goals i can imagine.
The short answer- if you trust WebMD over the bodybuilding forums read this- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-331/dhea
No idea what your goals are but the formulas are all pretty simple.
Lose weight- eat less.
Gain weight- eat more.
Gain muscle- work them to fatigue, feed them fuel, heal, repeat.
Gain the most muscle the fastest- take prescription or illegal drugs.
Since you talked about gym those are the most likely goals i can imagine.
The short answer- if you trust WebMD over the bodybuilding forums read this- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-331/dhea
- Taking DHEA daily for up to 2 years does not seem to improve body shape, bone strength, muscle strength, or quality of life in people older than 60 who have low DHEA levels.
- Muscle strength. Most research shows that DHEA does not improve muscle strength in adults.
- Physical performance in elderly adults. Most research shows that DHEA does not improve physical performance in older adults.
I take 50mg of DHEA on a regular basis. I coded after surgery in 1995 and afterward my right shoulder was so weak that I could barely get my coffee cup lifted into the microwave and had to walk my fingers over the backrest of the passenger seat to just lift the door lock button on my VW beetle. Read a book about how it works so I tried it and after maybe 30 or so days it had improved to where I could do things like normal. I personally think when I coded they pulled my arm to put me on a different table so they could get me going. I was still in a comma for 3 days. Anyway, I use it and it seems to help my joints and it may just improve blood flow.
I did a bunch or research on it about 7 years ago. At that time, there was no clinical evidence that it helped you, unless like stated earlier, that you were deficient. I have read studies that supplementation can shut down some of your natural production...so be careful. Otherwise, it seems akin to taking a sugar pill from what I have read and experienced.
gathermewool
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I'd be careful taking ANY supplements outside of what your Dr. prescribes if I was old. There are probably plenty that may benefit at the recommended dose, but taking at 200-2000% will likely only give your wallet and your kidneys (or liver) a workout.
Some good info here: https://examine.com/supplements/dehydroepiandrosterone/
Never tried it.
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Those forums are a complete joke full of misinformation. Stick with what works,hard work.
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And lots of roids
DHEA at one point was supposed to help men normalize their testosterone once they crested 40-50. It has shown fairly weak results and very inconsistant.
There were also some adverse effects long term.
I would suggest dialling in your diet, meal planning, possibly a protein supplement if you aren't. Aim for 100 grams a day and hit the same muscles fairly often if you're new to training. I use a two day split. Chest legs and biceps at 3 sets per bodypart, then shoulders back and triceps at 3 sets per body part. It doesn't sound like much, but if you throw in some abs, its 10-12 sets done every day, flipping back and fourth with a day or two off per week.
I have had good luck with creatine HCL, in terms of strength, energy and recovery.
I'm a martial arts guy, not a bodybuilder, but have been down this road for a while. Enjoy and keep at it! consistency is the key
There were also some adverse effects long term.
I would suggest dialling in your diet, meal planning, possibly a protein supplement if you aren't. Aim for 100 grams a day and hit the same muscles fairly often if you're new to training. I use a two day split. Chest legs and biceps at 3 sets per bodypart, then shoulders back and triceps at 3 sets per body part. It doesn't sound like much, but if you throw in some abs, its 10-12 sets done every day, flipping back and fourth with a day or two off per week.
I have had good luck with creatine HCL, in terms of strength, energy and recovery.
I'm a martial arts guy, not a bodybuilder, but have been down this road for a while. Enjoy and keep at it! consistency is the key
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Dave Draper always said protein was the key to bodybuilding. I always use isolate. I work out three days a week. Arms on day one, chest on day too, and shoulders/back on day three. In between I do 6 mile runs at night.
That's awesome!
When do you do legs/core?
One could say that about most any forum...or news source.
I agree 100%, there is "no replacement for displacement", oh wait...I mean "replacement for hard work" ;-)
Hard work will get you a long way, but diet, training techniques, supplementation, training programs, injury prevention, form feedback, injury recovery, and comradery, are all important discussion points where you can learn. Yes, you do have to learn to take what you read with temper, but you have to do the same here at BITOG. Just think about the thick/thin crowds...we have different opinions, and supporting facts, but we are all learning.
Those forums are just as valuable as this one...like any tool, you just have to know how to use them.
Edited to add: You can NEVER work your way out of a bad diet!!!
lots of opinions + info + i believe it was tried to make it a script when it became popular. Spider web as Dr Ken D Berry calls it is a Big Pharma site + like much info may not be reliable IMO. as we age many things "go away" especially hormones + supplementing may help if we are lacking so replacing them is good. the big T-testosterone is a biggie for sure. T Nation has some good info + there are surely people using "roids" but some "clean" lifters as well, so read + learn + decide for yourself + testing is best as many but not all nutrient + hormone levels can be checked. i use 25 mg sublingual DHEA every other day for years without issue as well as T replacement under a Drs care + at soon to be 74 YO i feel great, above average IMO, BUT i eat decently + meaning low carb + 2 meals daily NO snacks or anything to spike insulin the key to health as noted by many. BP was sneaking up as i aged + better eating habits lowered it for ME. we are all different so its up to you to see what works for YOU + i never trust mainstream recommendations run by $$$$$ + not sense!!!
Small sample anecdote: At age 66, I have 4 friends with ruined bodies due to poor body building practices. They are literally bionic men now. Many men should put more time into their mental health (self esteem/ego). Follow the good advice above and be careful.
Always on another day LOL
Here is a great example of learning from others, but understanding you need to study and understand your own body as well.
My experience is low carb is not good for mental clarity, physical energy, or building/maintaining muscle. I also would never advocate "no snacks". Those two things just don't work for me at all. I am more of a low GI, complex carbs and high fat/high protein snacks kind of person. That is what has proven to work for me.
Both methods could work, but you need to understand your goals, your training methods, and what works for your body.
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