Facts About Dehydroepiandrosterone

Dehydroepiandrosterone: 5 Facts About the Steroid O.J. Mayo Was Suspended for Using
By David Knowles

He was juiced.

Memphis Grizzlies player O.J. Mayo was suspended for 10 games today after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, a hormone that converts into testosterone and is believed by some athletes to help build muscle mass.

A naturally occurring hormone produced in the adrenal gland, dehydroepiandrosterone is sold over the counter in the United Sates, but has been outlawed by the Olympics, the NFL and the NBA.

Surge Desk offers five facts about the banned substance:


1. Other players have been suspended for using it. In 2009, Rashard Lewis, then a member of the Orlando Magic, also tested positive for DHEA and was hit with a 10-day suspension. Major League Baseball does not ban DHEA, and Manny Ramirez said his elevated testosterone levels stemmed from taking DHEA instead of human growth hormone. MLB didn't buy it.

2. It has plenty of negative physical side effects. DHEA consumption has been correlated with rates of breast, ovarian and prostate cancers.


3. But it also has some potentially positive ones. DHEA has been used to treat lupus with some success. It is also been found in studies to have some benefit for those who suffer from depression. DHEA is also sometimes used to induce labor, the Mayo Clinic said on its website.

4. A synthetic version can be made with yams. If you have any wild yam extract laying around, you might be able to brew up a batch of DHEA without operating on yourself. But just eating wild yams won't give you the same results as the hormone, the Mayo Clinic says.

5. It may not be all that good at building muscle. So far, the scientific data present an inconclusive picture as to whether DHEA really helps athletes seeking to build up their muscles.