HGH? WTF?

I heard an argument that HGH may cause cancer growth to accelerate, especially for elderly patients. Despite that, there are many HGH clinics that people use to delay the aging process. It costs about $1000 a month iirc.

I saw on 60 minutes et al that some parents give their kids HGH if they were likely to very short as an adult. Of course, the would-have-been-short adults will pass on the too-short gene to their children.

 

It has the same function as anabolic steroids. It serves to artificially boost one's performance in sports by building muscle mass and substantially decreasing recovery time between injuries and recovery between games. I can't see why one would oppose steroids but be ok with growth hormone. The body also naturally produces anabolic steroids so there's no difference. Btw, growth hormone doesn't "slow the aging process." It does help maintain one's body but it actually speeds up aging in other areas. Aging is determined by the erosion of one's chromosomes. The faster those erode, the quicker one's cells will age.

Also growth hormone has serious health side effects. For one thing, your testicles will shrink to the size of a pea if you keep using the stuff. Your risk of a heart attack/heart disease will skyrocket with this stuff. There's a reason why half the Steelers of the 70s are dead. Not to mention, throwing off your testosterone balance with this stuff will screw up a bunch of other processes dealing with natural hormone and steroid regulation.

 

i think its frowned upon in sports because it enhances bone and muscle growth (performance enhancement), and massively reduces healing time, and part of sport is competeting through injury. its very much alike EPO, works great for patients with blood disorders, but some athlete use it for blood doping.

 

I don't think anyone will be able to give you a definite answer about HGH. I have heard of possible increased risk of cancer and thyroid disorders as possible long term side effects. I have also heard of bony facial deformities forming from overuse.

I think the drug was developed in the 80's as and FDA approved for growth hormone def. The long term effects of anabolic steriods are much better known b/c of long existence.

Some doctors are prescribing it for anti-aging effects, but in my opinion, this is quackery. There is no evidence to suggest that HGH supplementation is safe in healthy adults and can be used for anti-aging/performance enhancement safely. Since "treatments" are out of pocket expenses, this is really just a money grab by some unscrupulous doctors.