Growth hormone is approved only for very specific medical conditions, and it hasn't been proved safe or effective in healthy older adults.
March 18, 2006 (Press Release) --
What can growth hormone do for healthy older adults?
Studies of healthy older adults taking growth hormone are limited. Many involve a small number of people followed for a short period of time. The studies that have been conducted have found that growth hormone injections can increase muscle mass and reduce the amount of body fat in healthy older adults.
That increase in muscle doesn't translate into increased strength. Though the study participants gained muscle, they weren't any stronger. One study compared older men who took growth hormone with older men who went through strength training programs. The bottom line: strength training can increase both your muscle mass and your strength, making it cheaper and more effective than taking growth hormone.
It isn't clear whether growth hormone can provide other benefits, such as increased bone density and improved mood, to healthy adults. Most of the research into human growth hormone has focused on the people who truly need it — those with true growth hormone deficiencies.
Are there any risks to taking growth hormone?
Taking growth hormone can cause a number of side effects, including:
Swelling in your arms and legs
Arthritis-like symptoms
Carpal tunnel symptoms
Headaches
Bloating
Muscle pain
Diabetes
Abnormal growth of bones and internal organs
Hardening of the arteries
High blood pressure
Some evidence shows that side effects of growth hormone may be more likely in people over the age of 60 than in younger adults. Also, because the studies of healthy adults taking growth hormone have been short term, it isn't clear whether these side effects could eventually dissipate or become worse. For instance, though growth hormone produced arthritis-like symptoms, it isn't clear if this would progress into arthritis. More study is needed.
What about growth hormone in pill form?
Some Web sites claim to sell a pill form of growth hormone that produces results similar to the injected form of the drug. Sometimes these are called human growth hormone releasers. No proof substantiates these claims. In fact, if you were to swallow growth hormone, it would likely be digested by your stomach acids and not absorbed into your body.
Web sites also sell homeopathic remedies claiming to contain growth hormone. No proof shows that these work, either.
Talk it over with your doctor
Your doctor can explain more about how growth hormone works in your body and whether it's something your body needs more of. If you have specific concerns about aging, such as gaining weight, your doctor can suggest ways to improve your health safely. Taking simple steps, such as eating a balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables and exercising daily, can help keep your body in shape and help you feel better about yourself as you age.
Source: By Mayoclinic.com
Studies of healthy older adults taking growth hormone are limited. Many involve a small number of people followed for a short period of time. The studies that have been conducted have found that growth hormone injections can increase muscle mass and reduce the amount of body fat in healthy older adults.
That increase in muscle doesn't translate into increased strength. Though the study participants gained muscle, they weren't any stronger. One study compared older men who took growth hormone with older men who went through strength training programs. The bottom line: strength training can increase both your muscle mass and your strength, making it cheaper and more effective than taking growth hormone.
It isn't clear whether growth hormone can provide other benefits, such as increased bone density and improved mood, to healthy adults. Most of the research into human growth hormone has focused on the people who truly need it — those with true growth hormone deficiencies.
Are there any risks to taking growth hormone?
Taking growth hormone can cause a number of side effects, including:
Swelling in your arms and legs
Arthritis-like symptoms
Carpal tunnel symptoms
Headaches
Bloating
Muscle pain
Diabetes
Abnormal growth of bones and internal organs
Hardening of the arteries
High blood pressure
Some evidence shows that side effects of growth hormone may be more likely in people over the age of 60 than in younger adults. Also, because the studies of healthy adults taking growth hormone have been short term, it isn't clear whether these side effects could eventually dissipate or become worse. For instance, though growth hormone produced arthritis-like symptoms, it isn't clear if this would progress into arthritis. More study is needed.
What about growth hormone in pill form?
Some Web sites claim to sell a pill form of growth hormone that produces results similar to the injected form of the drug. Sometimes these are called human growth hormone releasers. No proof substantiates these claims. In fact, if you were to swallow growth hormone, it would likely be digested by your stomach acids and not absorbed into your body.
Web sites also sell homeopathic remedies claiming to contain growth hormone. No proof shows that these work, either.
Talk it over with your doctor
Your doctor can explain more about how growth hormone works in your body and whether it's something your body needs more of. If you have specific concerns about aging, such as gaining weight, your doctor can suggest ways to improve your health safely. Taking simple steps, such as eating a balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables and exercising daily, can help keep your body in shape and help you feel better about yourself as you age.
Source: By Mayoclinic.com
Email
Print
SPAM
LEAVE A COMMENT
