A more appropriate term for human growth hormone (hGH) would be “the healing hormone.” Growth hormone, essential for bone and organ growth in our youth, is produced naturally by our pituitary gland. Although growth hormone is no longer needed after we reach adulthood, it is still essential for many other vital body functions. Significantly lower levels of growth hormone that we see as we age are associated with everything from decreased energy, cardiovascular disease, weight gain, decrease in muscle mass, thinning skin and wrinkles, and a host of other undesirable conditions associated with the aging process.
After the age of 30, growth hormone diminishes rapidly. This rapid decline results in many of the negative symptoms of aging, including an increase in body fat, decreased muscle mass, increased wrinkles, cancer, and heart disease. Studies show that growth hormone deficient patients have an almost 50% higher rate of death from heart disease than those with more optimal levels. In an article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Daniel Rudman reported on his study with the use of human growth hormone in aging veterans. He discovered that their strength, lean muscle, and bone density increased, while body fat and wrinkles decreased. These signs-of-aging were halted and even reversed by restoring optimal growth hormone levels.
| The effects of six months of human growth hormone on lean body mass and adipose tissue reversed the equivalent of changes incurred during ten to twenty years of aging. ~ Dr. Daniel Rudman, MD New England Journal of Medicine |
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Years later, the National Institute on Aging completed another landmark study designed to test the validity of Dr. Rudman’s findings. Their study was also extended to measure other parameters. The study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial which involved a large group of both men and women. In addition to growth hormone replacement, the study involved estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. The results of the study not only confirmed the benefits of growth hormone shown by Dr. Rudman, but also demonstrated that the addition of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone improved the overall effectiveness of growth hormone restoration. After years of scrutiny, the FDA has approved hGH for adult hormone deficiency. Numerous studies, and many years of research and clinical experience shows growth hormone to have an excellent long and short-term safety profile with minimal side effects. These numerous trials demonstrate that hormone replacement therapy results in significant improvement in both physical appearance and emotional well-being. Responsible hormone optimization can have a truly remarkable effect on you overall quality of life. |
