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In this series of articles, you will learn exactly how to lose belly fat, using 10 proven techniques from medical studies and laboratories around the world.

Abdominal fat is now seen as a growing health hazard, an indicator and contributor to 'Syndrome X,' or metabolic syndrome. The risks of metabolic syndrome go far beyond a bulge at your waistline, and include heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

If you're over 40, it's time to get serious about reducing your abdominal fat. Not just for your waistline, but to dramatically reduce your risk of chronic disease.

How to Lose Belly Fat: Secret #2 - DHEA

DHEA is a human hormone that has also been found in certain types of yams. While some of the research on DHEA and fat loss is inconclusive, a new study published in the prestigious JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) in 2004 is turning heads.

In the JAMA study, 28 men and 28 women, ranging from 65 to 78 years of age, took 50 mg. of non-prescription DHEA for 6 months. The DHEA treatment produced 'significant decreases' in both abdominal fat and ordinary fat. In addition, insulin sensitivity was also substantially improved.

The researchers concluded that 'DHEA replacement could play a role in prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome associated with abdominal obesity.' Primarily, I would add, in elderly people- or people with low levels of DHEA.

DHEA levels are known to decline with age. The older you are, the more likely that DHEA will help you reduce belly fat. Your doctor can also do a blood test for DHEA levels.

The theory of hormone replacement therapy, which links your body's gradual loss of certain hormones to aging and age-related disease, has a lot of established medical proof. In its narrowest sense, HRT is means replacing estrogen in menopausal women. But the broader picture of HRT includes human growth hormone, melatonin, sex hormones, and DHEA.

If you are still young, you probably have adequate levels of most or all of these hormones. There would be no sense in giving you more, because you are not yet 'deficient.'

The key to HRT, especially as it relates to aging, is to return your hormone levels to a more 'youthful profile.' Levels similar to what you had when you were, say, 25 years old. Before most of us were worried about diabetes, heart disease, or our bulging bellies.

Just as low levels of this hormone can be a problem, too much DHEA can also cause problems. Ask your doctor about the blood test before you supplement.