What Is DHEA? Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an important precursor hormone that is naturally produced by your body's adrenal glands. Precursors are substances that are converted by the body into hormones. Your body uses DHEA to convert into the major male and female hormones. Given that DHEA is produced naturally, some wonder why it’s consumed as a supplement. The main reason is that DHEA levels decrease as we age, and this decrease is associated with several issues as you go through the aging process. DHEA levels peak at about age 25 and then go down steadily as we get older. It’s estimated that DHEA decreases by up to 80% throughout adulthood. Taking a DHEA supplement increases the levels of this building block making it available for your body to produce hormones. In theory, taking a DHEA supplement to maintain DHEA levels could slow the aging process, possibly improving well-being, cognitive function and body composition. In addition, it may help in balancing out your hormone levels which can help to revitalize you and improve your mood.