"Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is produced by the adrenal cortex and is the most abundant steroid in humans. Although in some physiological and pathological conditions the increased secretion of DHEA and its sulfated form is associated with accelerated growth rate and skeletal maturation[note increased adult height is not stated]. In our study, DHEA suppressed metatarsal growth, growth plate chondrocyte proliferation, and hypertrophy/differentiation. In addition, DHEA increased the number of apoptotic chondrocytes in the growth plate. In cultured chondrocytes, DHEA reduced chondrocyte proliferation and induced apoptosis. The DHEA-induced inhibition of metatarsal growth and growth plate chondrocyte proliferation and hypertrophy/differentiation was nullified by culturing metatarsals with DHEA in the presence of ICI 182,780, an inhibitor of estrogen receptor, but not in the presence of Casodex, an inhibitor of androgen receptor. Lastly, nuclear factor-κB DNA binding activity was inhibited by the addition of DHEA in the medium of cultured chondrocyte. Our findings indicate that DHEA suppressed bone growth by acting directly at growth plate through estrogen receptor. Such growth inhibition is mediated by decreased chondrocyte proliferation and hypertrophy/differentiation and by increased chondrocyte apoptosis."
So reducing DHEA to a certain point likely increases growth. Although likely some levels of DHEA are needed.
"The secretion of DHEA and DHEA-S by the adrenals increases during the adrenarche in children at the age of 6–8 yr, and elevated values of circulating DHEA-S and DHEA are maintained throughout adult life, providing high levels of substrates for conversion into potent androgens and estrogens in peripheral tissues "
"The addition of letrozole did not change the inhibition of DHEA on longitudinal bone growth, indicating that such suppression induced by DHEA was not through its conversion to estrogen but through itself"
Orteronel (TAK-700) according to Orteronel (TAK-700), a novel non-steroidal 17,20-lyase inhibitor: effects on steroid synthesis in human and monkey adrenal cells and serum steroid levels in cynomolgus monkeys., suppresses DHEA but it suppresses testosterone and estrogen as well.
According to Correlation of circulating dehydroepiandrosterone with activated protein C generation and carotid intima-media thickness in male patients with Type 2 diabetes., DHEA levels are lower in people with diabetes and that DHEA levels are correlated with c-protein inhibitor complex. So inhibiting this complex may be a way to lower DHEA levels.
According to ACE inhibitor use was associated with lower serum dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations in older men., ACE inhibitor's may be an effective way to lower DHEA. Unfortunately, ACE inhibitors like perendopril are only available by prescription.
Cheese which contains Lactobacillus helveticus may inhibit ACE and thus reduce DHEA. American Swiss cheese usually contains this probiotic. Fermented milk may have lactic acid bacteria that also reduce ACE. So another possibility for how the dutch diet increases height.
