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Below are the facts about six hormones that have been in the news the past several years. In addition to listing their common usages and suspected risks we identify the most likely ways to naturally increase your levels of each hormone.

Estrogen

What It Does. Estrogen, generally described as one of two principal female hormones, is actually a group of twenty related hormones, of which estrone, estradiol, and estriol are the predominant ones. Estrogens are responsible for feminine characteristics, such as breasts, and are needed for reproduction. (The other major female hormone is progesterone.) 

When It Declines. For most women, estrogen levels begin declining during menopause, generally between ages 45 and 55. Menopause is characterized by unpredictable fluctuations in estrogen levels. However, women continue producing small amounts of estrogen after menopause.

Symptoms of Its Declines. Menopausal symptoms include hot flashes, nighttime sweats, mood changes, and vaginal dryness. Because estrogen promotes calcium retention in bones, low post-menopausal estrogen levels increase a woman's risk of bone-thinning osteoporosis. The risk of heart disease also increases when estrogen levels decline.

Claims and Evidence. Estrogen_replacement therapy can ease hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. It also increases bone density and decreases the risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease.

Risks . In a recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers reported that the risk of breast cancer did not increase until after ten years of estrogen-replacement therapy (principally Premarin). After ten years of use, women had a 43 percent greater risk of developing breast cancer. Estrogen replacement therapy for more than three years also increases the risk of endometrial cancer. The likelihood of developing these cancers can be reduced, though not eliminated, by also taking progesterone or Progestin (a synthetic form of progesterone).

Length of Supplementation. Through menopause and possibly for the rest of your life. Approximately 80 percent of the women who take Premarin stop within a year because of severe gastrointestinal problems.

Monthly Cost. For Premarin, about $16. Progestin adds another $13.

Natural Alternatives. Lee, M.D., author of What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause (Warner Books, 1996), believes that many menopausal problems are the result of an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone. Lee recommends that women use a progesterone cream in conjunction with a small amount of estrogen therapy. (Lee warns that while progesterone creams are manufactured from Mexican yams, plain yam creams have no inherent estrogenic properties.)

    Jonathan Wright, M.D., of Kent, Washington, recommends a tri-estrogen compound manufactured from Mexican yams. (These yams, whose tubers weigh 80 pounds, contain substances from which the hormones can be manufactured.) Tri-estrogen, a prescription item available from compounding pharmacies, is high in estriol, an estrogen that does not appear to increase the risk of cancer. Wright also recommends progesterone cream.

    Consult a doctor to determine which program is appropriate for you. Marcus Laux, N.D., of Marina del Rey, California, and coauthor of Natural Woman, Natural Menopause (HarperCollins, 1997), takes an even more natural approach. He believes that naturally occurring estrogen-like substances in plants, such as the isoflavones found in soybeans and other legumes, will safely maintain a woman's hormone levels and ease her through menopause. Numerous studies have shown that soy isoflavones promote calcium retention in bones and lower the risk of osteoporosis. At the same time they seem to block the cancer-causing effects of actual estrogen, instead of increasing the cancer risk. Other phytoestrogens are found in the herb black cohosh, which has long been used as a folk remedy to treat menopausal symptoms.

    "Foods and herbal products are the least invasive," says Laux. "Plant-derived hormones will act the same way as a woman's endogenous hormones, and without side effects. I refer to these as almost-like-human hormones."

Hops 

Testosterone

What It Does. Testosterone is the principal male hormone, responsible for masculinization (e.g., muscles, male sexual development). Over the years, people blamed testosterone for aggressive behavior in men, but a recent study by Christina Wang, M.D., of the Los Angeles Medical Center, found that giving testosterone to men with low levels of the hormone actually improved their moods and decreased their anger and irritability.

When It Declines. Contrary to popular opinion, testosterone levels remain fairly stable through life, generally not declining until men are in their sixties. Some men suffer from abnormally low testosterone levels—a condition called hypogonadism—and this can happen at any age. Marc Goldstein, M.D., professor of urology at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, says that very low-fat or very low-cholesterol diets sometimes impair testosterone production.

Symptoms of Its Decline. Low testosterone levels impair male sexual development and cause a loss of libido. In teenage boys, low testosterone can delay the growth of pubic and facial hair, result in a small penis and prostate, and retard muscle development.

Claims and Evidence. Testosterone shots or patches—prescription drugs can increase sexual drive and muscle development. A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that testosterone increased muscle size and strength in normal men without exercise, though workouts magnified the benefits. Another recent study found that cognitive and physical abilities in older men were related more to testosterone than to other hormone levels.

Risks. It may seem counter intuitive, but long-term, high-dose testosterone supplements can shrink the testicles and cause male infertility. Testosterone is also associated with an increased risk of benign prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. Legally, testosterone is also a controlled substance, and its nonmedical use (e.g., to increase athletic performance) is a felony.

Length of Supplementation. To correct delayed puberty in a boy, doctors will give periodic testosterone shots until puberty naturally begins. In an infertile man, testosterone or other hormones may be given until he is able to fertilize a woman. To boost libido and general energy levels, testosterone might be prescribed for longer periods—levels will drop several weeks after testosterone therapy ends.

Monthly Cost. For testosterone patches, $60.

Natural Alternatives. Zinc, an essential mineral, is involved in the body's production of testosterone, and studies have shown that supplements can increase testosterone levels in some men with low levels of the hormone. (Try 30 mg daily and have your doctor test your testosterone levels after several months.) Vitamins A and D are also needed for testosterone production. (Try 5,000 IU and 400 IU daily, respectively.) If your testosterone levels are normal, none of these supplements will turn you into a superman.

    A couple of studies have found that weight-training exercises, such as bench presses and jump squats, can boost testosterone levels by 7-15 percent. One study reported that elderly men who bicycled for 60 minutes had an average 39 percent increase in their blood levels of testosterone.

    Eating moderate (as opposed to very low) amounts of fat and cholesterol can also raise low testosterone levels. Soy isoflavones, which are weak estrogens, may or may not lower testosterone levels slightly; the research is mixed. But soy isoflavones will reduce the risk of prostate cancer, which is associated with elevated testosterone levels.

    In addition, chronic stress lowers testosterone levels. So learning to manage stress may return low testosterone levels to normal. 

Pregnenolone

What It Does. Preg, as it's commonly called, is the body's most basic steroid hormone. Made from cholesterol, pregnenolone is converted to progesterone (a female hormone), DHEA, and cortisol.

When It Declines. Although there's not much research, pregnenolone levels seem to decline with age.

Symptoms of Its Decline. A lack of pregnenolone would limit the body's production of all other steroid hormones, but doctors rarely test for pregnenolone. There's some evidence that low levels of pregnenolone (and testosterone) are partly to blame for age-associated cognitive and physical declines_but there is only one good scientific paper, published in July 1997, that supports this.

Claims and Evidence. Small studies done in the 1940s and early 1950s showed that pregnenolone supplements enhanced memory and sensory perceptions. There have been no human trials on the therapeutic benefits of pregnenolone supplementation since then. Theoretically, taking pregnenolone should increase estrogen and testosterone levels, but that might not always be the case, according to Eugene Roberts, M.D., a neurochemist at the Beckman Research Institute in Duarte, California.

    Ray Sahelian, M.D., author of Pregnenolone: Nature's Feel Good Hormone (Avery, 1997), makes pregnenolone sound like a recreational drug. "Pregnenolone," he says, "makes colors look brighter and clearer, the environment more noticeable, and listening more interesting. That's my personal experience and that of people I've given it to." He says that people can safely take 2-30 mg daily for several months.

Risks. According to Sahelian, high doses of preg (more than 30 mg daily) can result in headaches, insomnia, mood changes, and irritability. Its long-term effects—beyond six months—are not known.

Length of Supplementation. Sahelian generally recommends that people take pregnenolone only occasionally when they want to enjoy a "memorable" occasion. For depression, he suggests a six-month regimen (5-30 mg daily), acknowledging that most cases of depression get better in this time frame without any treatment at all.

Monthly Cost. $8—$10

Natural Alternatives. There has been so little research on pregnenolone that it's not clear what natural alternatives will boost its levels in the body. Presumably, very low-fat and very low-cholesterol diets will reduce pregnenolone production, so moderate intake of fat and cholesterol should help maintain normal preg levels.

    If you want a memorable experience, instead learn how to be "in the moment." That's what a memorable experience is— focusing on the experience at hand. For centuries, people the world over have trained themselves to do this through daily practice of meditation. And dozens of other benefits come with meditation, from lowered blood pressure and pulse rate to increases in immune cell activity.

Dhea

What It Does. Dhea, which the body makes from pregnenolone, is the building block of estrogen and testosterone.

When It Declines. Dhea levels are typically higher in men than in women, and levels in both sexes peak in the early to mid-twenties. They begin declining by age 30 and, by 70, are at about one-fifth peak levels.

Symptoms of Its Declines. Some doctors have assumed that low DHEA levels cause fatigue, loss of muscle tissue, and low sex drive. This assumption is based on the observation, in a handful of studies, that these conditions improve with DHEA supplementation. 

Claims and Evidence. Several short- term human studies (less than six months) have shown DHEA supplements increase physical fitness and muscle, improve thinking processes, and relieve age-related aches and pains. Cholesterol levels may also decrease.

Risks. In women, DHEA can increase the growth of facial hair and deepen the voice; it can also increase either estrogen and testosterone levels. Studies of DHEA in men are mixed, with some showing increases and others decreases in testosterone levels. Because DHEA has the potential to increase estrogen or testosterone levels, its long-term use may increase the risk of breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. No long-term studies on DHEA in people have been conducted, so the potential risks and benefits are based more on extrapolation.

Length of Supplementation. Dhea seems to have the most beneficial effects on people in their sixties and older, increasing their vigor. Supplementation at that age might be for the rest of a person's life but, again, long-term studies have not been done.

Monthly Cost. $5—$10.

Natural Alternatives. Stress decreases Dhea levels by channeling pregnenolone away from DHEA production and into stress hormones. A study conducted by the Institute of HeartMath, Boulder Creek, California, found that stress-reduction techniques lowered levels of cortisol, a key stress hormone, and doubled Dhea levels.

Melatonin

What It Does. Melatonin regulates the circadian rhythm—your body clock. Normally, its production goes up at night, making you drowsy; it drops in the morning, as your body gets ready to awaken. It also functions as an antioxidant. 

When It Declines. Melatonin levels peak at age six and then gradually decline. There is no particular age when melatonin levels take a nosedive, says Jo Robinson, coauthor of Melatonin: Your Body's Natural Wonder Drug (Bantam, 1995). However, many sleep problems seem to be related to melatonin being produced at the wrong time.

Symptoms of Its Declines. People who stay up late at night and have trouble waking in the morning may have a melatonin production cycle that's out of kilter. But morning fatigue can be caused by a lot of other problems, including poor eating habits (including late evening eating) and stress.

Claims and Evidence. Melatonin is well documented for its ability to reset a person's biological clock, especially after a person flies through several time zones. It's also a soporific for some people. Russel J. Reiter, Ph.D., of the University of Texas, San Antonio, has shown that melatonin can boost immune function and might protect against the wear and tear of aging. The effective dose for most people seems to be 0.5 mg, taken a couple hours before bed, but some people may need as much as 3 mg. Alfred Lewy, M.D., who manages a sleep clinic at Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, agrees that melatonin does induce sleep and can correct a person's circadian rhythm, but he feels anti-aging claims are overstated.

Risks . As hormones go, melatonin appears relatively safe. If you take too much, you'll feel lethargic. Melatonin might also aggravate feelings of depression, according to Ivan Goldberg, M.D., a psychopharmacologist in New York City.

Length of Supplementation. As a natural sleeping pill, take it as needed a couple hours before bed. Using melatonin to correct your body clock may take several days. To treat insomnia, Lewy suggests that people work with a physician because taking melatonin at the wrong time can throw the body clock off even more, rather than reset it.

Monthly Cost. $5-$10.

Natural Alternatives. To reset their biological clocks and shift melatonin production, some people use high-intensity full-spectrum light boxes early in the morning. Exposing yourself to sunlight early in the morning, such as by going out for a walk, will accomplish the same thing.

    If you suffer from insomnia, consider using a herbal sedative, such as valerian (Valeriana officinalis) or passionflower (Passiflora incarnata). Meditation also increases melatonin levels.

Growth Hormone

What It Does. Growth hormone does what its name says—it promotes the growth of bone and regulates height. Tall people produce more growth hormone, at least during their formative years, than do short people.

When It Declines. Some children are born with an inability to produce sufficient levels of growth hormone. Levels also decline with age.

Symptoms of Its Decline. Children who produce insufficient growth hormone are unusually small in stature for their age.

Claims and Evidence. Doctors sometimes use growth hormone to increase the height of very short children. Although this has been an accepted therapy, other doctors have questioned its use in otherwise healthy children. Some parents have encouraged doctors to give growth hormone to increase the height of normal children.

    More controversial is the use of growth hormone as an anti-aging therapy A handful of studies have found that short-term use of growth hormone can increase muscle mass and a sense of well being in elderly people, but these people had been previously diagnosed as deficient in the hormone. Growth hormone can also reduce wrinkles—but it does so by promoting water retention. No long-term studies have been done on people, and animal studies have found that higher levels of growth hormone are associated with shorter, not longer, life spans.

Risks. The therapeutic use of growth hormone increases the risk of diabetes. It can also cause excessive water retention (edema). One professional track athlete who took growth hormone to enhance his performance had to have skin grafts because his bones literally grew through his skin.

Length of Supplementation. To increase the rate of growth in children, growth hormone might be taken periodically for several years. As an anti-aging treatment, some doctors recommend taking it on an ongoing basis.

Monthly Cost. $1,500.

Natural Alternatives. Weight training can increase levels of growth hormone. So can a number of amino acid supplements, dubbed "growth-hormone releasers." Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., a nutritionally oriented physician in Tucson, Arizona, takes these amino acids from time to time to maximize the effects of exercise. They include a combination of ornithine (800 mg/day), arginine (1,200 mg/day), lysine (1,200 mg/day), and methionine ( 100 mg day). Although Khalsa has not measured his own growth hormone levels, he says these amino acids do magnify the benefits of exercise. However, these amino acids play numerous other roles in health in addition to making growth hormone.

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