One of the hormone DHEA’s main functions is to be our body’s first safeguard against abnormal production of the stress hormone cortisol.

When your body triggers cortisol production, it also produces DHEA, which can be converted into cortisol. (Many hormones have the ability to change from one into the other.)

A problem can occur because another main function of DHEA is to be the precursor hormone to all three of your sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone).

But if our body is forced to use all its DHEA to keep cortisol levels in check and deal with stress, it creates imbalances with our sex hormone production. This results in weight gain, low sex drive, menstrual cycle issues, and mood problems.

And stress is the No. 1 cause for heart attacks in women.

This is an example of how all of our hormones are in continuous interaction with each other. If we throw one off, the whole group will be off. Also, because all of these hormones directly affect our metabolism, keeping them in balance is crucial for good health.