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Human growth hormone: no fountain of youth
Posted on Jan 17th 2007 11:40AM by Bethany SandersIs human growth hormone the pill equivalent of the Fountain of Youth? Many people think so; it's estimated that roughly 30,000 to 40,000 Americans each year take supplements that contain human growth hormone (HGH). It's no wonder why -- anti-aging products containing HGH claim to build muscle, burn fat, make you happier, make exercise easier, and improve your sex drive. Who doesn't want those things?
I'm a natural born cynic when it comes to someone selling health in a bottle. Why -- you ask? Because of articles like these. While HGH has its appropriate place in the medical community -- some children take it for growth problems and some adults may need it as well -- it appears that taking it to slow aging may do more harm than good. In fact, people who took HGH were found more likely to have joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and even appeared more likely to develop diabetes.
This study did find the HGH changes body composition. On average, it decreased fat by about 4 pounds and increased muscle by the same amount. That's great, but as the article points out -- you could do that with regular moderate exercise, and it wouldn't cost you a fortune or stress your body in an unhealthy way. Sure it's easier to take a pill, but exercise has a huge laundry list of other health benefits a pill can't give you. What do you think?
I'm a natural born cynic when it comes to someone selling health in a bottle. Why -- you ask? Because of articles like these. While HGH has its appropriate place in the medical community -- some children take it for growth problems and some adults may need it as well -- it appears that taking it to slow aging may do more harm than good. In fact, people who took HGH were found more likely to have joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and even appeared more likely to develop diabetes.
This study did find the HGH changes body composition. On average, it decreased fat by about 4 pounds and increased muscle by the same amount. That's great, but as the article points out -- you could do that with regular moderate exercise, and it wouldn't cost you a fortune or stress your body in an unhealthy way. Sure it's easier to take a pill, but exercise has a huge laundry list of other health benefits a pill can't give you. What do you think?
