HGH controversies
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
There are many controversies around the claims, products, and businesses related to the use of growth hormone as an anti-aging therapy. Most of this controversy falls into two categories:
- Claims of exaggerated, misleading, or unfounded assertions that real growth hormone treatment slows or reverses the effects of aging.
- The sale of products that fraudulently or misleadingly purport to be growth hormone or to increase the user's own secretion of natural human growth hormone to a beneficial degree.
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[edit] History
Following a study in 1990 by Rudman[1] which showed fat loss, muscle mass increase and maintenance of healthy skin from the administration of growth hormone in elderly men, there has been a burgeoning industry surrounding the sale and administration of GH and its purported anti-aging effects.
A report from the United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on steroid and growth hormone use found that the misguided use of hGH by professional athletes and entertainers was fuelling the industry peddling the drug to the general public for medically inappropriate uses[2].
[edit] Research
As is common with such therapies, the literature is now dominated by advocacy from pharmaceutical companies, with solid medical evidence harder to find. However, systematic reviews have demonstrated that hGH supplementation does not significantly increase muscle strength or aerobic exercise capacity in healthy individuals[3]. While it is possible that there are some advantages, it is also evident that benefits are being exaggerated by some for commercial gain[4].
[edit] Side-effects
Some of the side effects reportedly seen in previously healthy mature patients after taking HGH include:
- Edema (retention of fluids) in extremities[5]
- Arthralgia (joint pain)[5]
- Carpal tunnel syndrome[5]
- Hypertension
- Diabetes and other glucose metabolism imbalances[5]
- Gynecomastia (enlargement of male mammary glands)[5]
Chronic use of HGH is not well studied, except when used in children for acute growth deficiencies. A long term increase in colon cancer and Hodgkin's Disease has been observed in these cases.[6]
[edit] See also
Healthbeat on human growth hormone
[edit] References
- ^ Rudman D, Feller AG, Nagraj HS, et al. "Effect of human growth hormone in men over 60 years old," New England Journal of Medicine 323:1–6
- ^ "Committee Holds Hearing on Myths and Facts about Human Growth Hormone, B12, and Other Substances". Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, United States House of Representatives. http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1740. Retrieved on 2008-07-23.
- ^ Liu H, Bravata DM, Olkin I, et al. (May 2008). "Systematic review: the effects of growth hormone on athletic performance". Ann. Intern. Med. 148 (10): 747–58. PMID 18347346. http://www.annals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=18347346. Retrieved on 2008-07-23.
- ^ "“HGH” Pills and Sprays: Human Growth Hype?" (SHTML). FTC Consumer Alert. Federal Trade Commission. June 2005. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt146.shtm. Retrieved on 2006-11-19.
- ^ a b c d e Liu, H., et al. (2006). "The safety and efficacy of growth hormone in the healthy elderly: A systematic review". Endocrine Society meeting: P3-770.
- ^ Sklar CA. Growth hormone treatment: cancer risk. Horm Res. 2004;62 Suppl 3:30-4. Review. PMID 15539796
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