There is a popular over-the-counter hormone known as dhea or dehydroepiandrosterone commonly used to help with weight loss. The dhea hormone is secreted by the adrenal gland which plummets with the advancement of age. It is considered to be extremely effective to lose the belly fat associated with aging.

It also works to resolve weight gain problems associated with insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. It was noted in studies conducted on laboratory animals that dhea was effective in reducing the abdominal fat. Its effect on humans is not yet confirmed.

In a study conducted by Dennis T. Villareal and his team at Washington University School of Medicine, 28 men and women were randomly selected in the age bracket of 65 to 78. They were administered a daily dose of 50 mgs of dhea or a placebo for a period of six months. With the help of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), the visceral abdominal fat present within the abdomen was measured. Through the oral glucose tolerance test, the glucose and the insulin responses were also tracked.

At the end of the six month period, it was observed that these participants reported a considerable loss of their visceral fat content. Even the subcutaneous fat also reduced in participants who received dhea.

The women lost more visceral fat than men. They lost on an average 10.2% of their visceral fat, while the men lost around 7.4%. The fat loss from the subcutaneous layers accounted for an average of 6% for both men and women. Participants who were provided with placebos were found to gain negligible amount of fat in both these areas.

It was also observed that the insulin action within the body showed a significant improvement. The most important factor was there were absolutely no major adverse reports of negative impact with the administration of dhea. The prostate specific antigen levels of the men also remained unchanged.

The researchers concluded, dhea replacement can be recommended to reduce and reverse the belly fat accumulation that happens with age. It is particularly effective on the older population, who has a considerably low serum level of dhea.

Though not confirmed, a long term dhea replacement therapy can also prove effective and offer protection against the possible development of Metabolic or Insulin Resistance Syndrome. 

To lose the belly fat is a topic that a good percentage of the population are mindful of and are constantly trying to be educated on this particular topic. Especially those who are mindful of there health and well being. Health and longevity are serious topics.

 The good news is that there is a solution. Science is constantly proving different methods to lose the belly fat.  To lose the belly fat at any age has now been proven possible with many of the studies performed by Universities to date. The constant search to lose the belly fat will always be a popular study as people all around the world battle the tummy bulges.