By Howard Liebowitz, M.D.
Growth hormone is a naturally occurring hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland in the brain. It is essential for growth. It is highest in growing children and then gradually declines with age. In adults, growth hormone helps maintain tissue strength and vitality.
We have come to learn that a major component of aging is the gradual decline of our youthful hormone levels. As hormones decline, the body becomes frail and weak. This is when the degenerative diseases of aging begin to show up. Hormone deficiencies then result in what is considered accelerated aging. These hormone-depleted symptoms of aging can be reversed with hormone replacement therapy. For normal men and women under 40, only about 5% have Growth Hormone levels under 250ng/ml. But one third of individuals over 50 have levels below 200ng/ml, consistent with that of octogenarians.
Growth hormone replacement results in profound changes in body composition. Fat mass is reduced, while lean muscle mass is increased, even without exercise. In exercising individuals, these improvements are even more dramatic. Fat distribution is affected as well, with a significant reduction in abdominal or central fat mass. This improvement in body composition results in lower cardiovascular disease risk, improved exercise capacity, improved strength, improved energy, improved sense of well-being, decreased depression, improved immune function and resistance to common infections, skin rejuvenation and improved fluid balance. Additional benefits include reversal of osteoporosis, improved mentation, improved lung capacity, restoration of REM sleep, and speedier post-surgical healing.
Side effects are usually dose-related and reversed by decreasing the dose. These include
fluid retention, carpal tunnel syndrome, mild joint pain, high blood pressure, and rarely headache. Growth Hormone supplementation has never been shown to cause any type of cancer. However, it is theoretically possible that growth hormone could enhance the growth of a small undetected cancer. It is therefore recommended that any cancer survivors be cancer free for a minimum of five years before taking growth hormone.
It is interesting to note that growth hormone has been used in cancer patients and AIDS patients to combat and reverse the severe muscle wasting associated with the extreme metabolic demands of those diseases and treatment.
Currently, growth hormone is only available by injection. Most people require a daily dose at bedtime using a tiny needle on a "dial-a-dose" pen that is extremely easy and convenient to use. It is also easy to travel with, and can be safely kept out of the refrigerator for up to three weeks.
In many cases, after the benefits of growth hormone replacement are achieved, the dose can be reduced to a maintenance schedule of every other day.
There are currently no reliable over-the-counter sources of growth hormone or growth hormone stimulators available. So do not be fooled into spending money on these products. Most of them are useless. There is active research ongoing to develop a more affordable oral form of growth hormone.
This information is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to treat or diagnose any health condition.