Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is quantitatively the most abundant hormone in humans and mammals, with a wide variety of physiological
effects, including major regulatory effects upon the immune system. Two of the most striking aspects of DHEA are a steady
decline in DHEA with age and a significant deficiency in DHEA in patients with several major diseases, including cancer, atherosclerosis,
and Alzheimer’s disease.
The hormone is secreted in a non-sulfated (DHEA) and sulfated form (DHEA-S). The two are apparently interchangeable, and it
appears likely that its physiological effects are achieved by derivative molecules that have yet to be identified.