Longevity Hgh - Human growth hormone

Longevity Hgh - what the science show. In October 2005 the Journal of the American Medical Association published an article stating that sales of Hgh are now in the billions of dollars and that 30% of the Human Growth Hormone prescriptions in the United States are for Anti-aging or athletic enhancement.

At the same time the FDA has condemed the use of the substance as an anti-aging enhancement. There are reports that Longevity Hgh is a hoax and that its use has led to shorter, NOT longer lifespans. Is this a marketing hoax or a case of the official medical community keeping a life enhancing substance our of the hands of ordinary people.

The Scientific background of Hgh controversy

The whole Longevity Hgh controversy was started by a study conducted by 10 scientists that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine on July 5, 1990 "Effects of Human Growth Hormone in Men over 60 Years Old" by D Rudman, AG Feller, HS Nagraj, GA Gergans, PY Lalitha, AF Goldberg, RA Schlenker, L Cohn, IW Rudman, and DE Mattson.

Here is the exact ABSTRACT of the study:

ABSTRACT Background: The declining activity of the growth hormone–insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis with advancing age may contribute to the decrease in lean body mass and the increase in mass of adipose tissue (fat) that occur with aging.

Methods: To test this hypothesis, we studied 21 healthy men from 61 to 81 years old who had plasma IGF-I concentrations of less than 350 U per liter during a six-month base-line period and a six-month treatment period that followed.

During the treatment period, 12 men (group 1) received approximately 0.03 mg of biosynthetic human growth hormone per kilogram of body weight subcutaneously three times a week, and 9 men (group 2) received no treatment. Plasma IGF-I levels were measured monthly. At the end of each period we measured lean body mass, the mass of adipose tissue, skin thickness (epidermis plus dermis), and bone density at nine skeletal sites.

Results In group 1, the mean plasma IGF-I level rose into the youthful range of 500 to 1500 U per liter during treatment, whereas in group 2 it remained below 350 U per liter. The administration of human growth hormone for six months in group 1 was accompanied by an 8.8 percent increase in lean body mass, a 14.4 percent decrease in adipose-tissue mass, and a 1.6 percent increase in average lumbar vertebral bone density (P<0.05 in each instance). Skin thickness increased 7.1 percent (P=0.07). There was no significant change in the bone density of the radius or proximal femur.

In group 2 there was no significant change in lean body mass, the mass of adipose tissue, skin thickness, or bone density during treatment.

Conclusions: Diminished secretion of growth hormone is responsible in part for the decrease of lean body mass, the expansion of adipose-tissue mass, and the thinning of the skin that occur in old age. (N Engl J Med 1990; 323:1-6.

Current status of the Longevity Hgh question

The New England Journal of Medicine was concerned that because this study involved older men that some might make conclusions that were not present in the study so they published an editorial in the same issue as the study. It warned:

  • some of the subjects had experienced side effects
  • that the long-range effects of administering HGH to healthy adults were unknown
  • that the hormone shots were expensive
  • and that the study had NOT examined whether the men who received the hormone had substantially improved their muscle strength, mobility, or quality of life.

Still this 1990 study is cited by marketers selling products - claiming that Human Growth Hormone adds to life extension.

The New England Journal of Medicine is so concerned that they offer the Abstract and full text of the original article by Rudman et al, the accompanying editorial about Growth Hormone for the Elderly and an article about Inappropriate Advertising - including LongevityHgh

Follow up responses, reports

First, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists has warned that the clinical use of growth hormone as an anti-aging treatment or for patients with ordinary obesity is not recommended.

Second, Some researchers think that diminished levels of hGH may NOT be a bad thing. There are studies that show that women with HIGH Hgh levels are more likely to get breast cancer and then men with high levels are more likely to develop prostate cancer. Further high Hgh may not help longevity at all -individuals of both sexes are more apt to die at younger ages than those with naturally low hGH levels. Source: Dr. Judith Reichamn, MSNBC.com

Third, "Research has also shown that mice with very high levels of growth hormone have premature brain aging and reduced life spans" while mice with genetic disorders that make for suppressed HGH production or an inability to use it, "have prolonged survival".

So should you buy Human growth hormone supplements or 'precursors"? I am not a medical practitioner and so can not give medical advice but knowing what I now know, I would not use any of these products without talking it over with my regular medical provider.

I would not go to one of the 'life extension' style medical providers without consulting my regular health care provider first. I would not act on mailings. The risks are high AND there are alternatives.

Alternatives for Longevity Hgh

Research has shown that progressive strength training, which does not have a host of negative side effects or potenital health dangers, provide many of the same benefits.

See: Weight Bearing Exercises

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