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Antiaging Hormones

Also, the claims of Anti-Aging Therapy, especially the claims found on many commercial web sites, must be tempered by an examination of the available scientific data. There are many studies arranged by companies selling HGH products and there are a lot of statements on many web sites. However, it is most prudent to look at independent scientific results. Below are links to mainstream studies on the effects of human growth hormone (HGH) and HGH secretagogues. (releasers) These studies indicate that there is still a lot of work to be done in order to have complete information. What we know so far is sufficient to provide a degree of confidence that will allow many persons to begin now, especially with the secretagogue products.

An advantage of the HGH Secretagogues is that they stimulate the pituitary gland to itself increase secretion of HGH. This approach greatly reduces the possibility of side effects, which can occur with injections, which require oversight by a doctor. The 1999 report below states, "There are several conceptual advantages of these therapies [HGH secretagogues] over exogenous GH itself. First, even when administered continuously, they preserve the physiological pulsatility of GH release, presumably mediated via intermittent endogenous somatostatin secretion. In addition, the normal negative feedback regulation by IGF-I upon GH release confers relative protection against overtreatment with these agents."

Homeopathic liquids taken orally and other sprays claim to introduce HGH or IGF-1 through the mouth or nose. We still need to verify the science before we include these products on this site. There has been much said about the effects of DHEA, Melatonin and other hormones and supplements. We plan to do further study before displaying these prominently on this site. For now the products focus of this site will be Tests and HGH secretagogues.

Conference Report - Endocrinology of Aging , 2000, Medscape.com

Age-Related Changes in Growth Hormone Secretion , 1999, University of Washington School of Medicine

1990 Daniel Rudman Study , New England Journal of Medicine
This over 10 year old study is the one most often quoted by many antiaging web sites. The results are significant and the Journal is prestigious. However, the study was done with injectable HGH, which is completely different from secretagogues. The results do give an indication of the effect of increased levels of HGH in the human body, but it is still necessary to see recent studies on the actual effectiveness of secretagogues in stimulating the pituitary gland to release more HGH. The two reports above provide some limited indications about that, as well as summarizing successful duplication of some of the results of the 10 year old Rudman study. Further impartial studies would be helpful.

Also see our status summary from the above reports: Scientific Status Summary of Human Growth Hormone

Some of the major pharmaceutical companies have also done research. Their efforts further validate the effectiveness of increased levels of HGH in the body. However, their approach is to synthesize their own proprietary HGH secretagogues as drugs instead of using naturally occuring amino acids and nutrients. They are using molecular combinations of certain amino acids instead of the individual amino acids. These are called GHRPs. (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides) It is uncertain when their products will actually be available. Personally, we prefer the natural approach for now. It will take a lot of time to verify the safety of synthetic drugs. Also, the amino acids are available now and already have a long history of safety as supplements used for other purposes over many years.

Injectable HGH

There is far more scientific documentation on the effect of HGH injections than on the effect of HGH Secretagogues. However, injections typically cost over US$1,000 per month and can have side effects. The future is in HGH Secretagogues, but a growing number of people have benefited from the injections. Further information is on HGH injections is also included in our Scientific Status Summary of Human Growth Hormone and in the reports below.

1990 Daniel Rudman Study , New England Journal of Medicine

Side Effect Profile of injectable HGH from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) studies

Quotes from the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M)

A non-profit organization incorporated in 1993, the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine(A4M) is a society of forward-looking physicians, scientists, and researchers dedicated to the belief that the process of physical aging in humans can be slowed, stopped, or even reversed through existing medical and scientific interventions. Through continuing education, dissemination of research, public outreach, and legislative advocacy efforts, A4M seeks to bring about a profound shift in the way the medical field approaches human aging.

A4M is the first professional medical organization to recognize the phenomenon of aging as a treatable condition rather than as an inevitable reality of human existence.

The physicians and scientists at A4M seek to facilitate expeditious advances in areas of longevity medicine that include genetic engineering, hormonal replacement therapy, advanced diagnosis of preventable disease, and the biomarkers of aging .

"In the next 30 years I fully expect to see life spans of 120, 130 years in people who are completely intact ." - Dr.Ronald Klatz, President, A4M

Anti-aging doctors have found that when hGH [Human Growth Hormone ] levels are restored, patients begin to feel and look younger and more vital.

Human growth hormone replacement therapy has been found to reduce truncal obesity, increase energy levels, enhance sexual performance, Improve memory and vision, increase bone mass, and strengthen the immune system.

As an alternative to taking Human Growth Hormone, it is possible to help the body to stimulate the release of growth hormone through natural means. Grow Young With HGH details a Growth Hormone Enhancement Program that entails supplementation with essential amino acids and niacin, and particulars about diet and exercise.

DHEA is the most abundant naturally occurring steroid hormone in the body. It is produced by the adrenal gland, which secretes many other hormones, like adrenaline.

A growing body of research suggests that DHEA may have a number of vital medical applications, including bolstering immunity in the elderly, inhibiting certain cancers, and combating atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, lupus, diabetes, and obesity. Moreover, there is mounting evidence that the level of DHEA in a person's blood is a good predictor not only of the incidence of afflictions commonly associated with aging, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and memory disorders, but of aging itself.

Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the brain's pineal gland, a small organ behind the eyes that coordinates seasonal changes in the body and that helps to promote sexual maturity in adolescents. Mounting evidence suggests that it plays a critical role in regulating our circadian rhythms, the regular biological and sleep cycles associated with the 24-hour rotation of the earth. Moreover, recent research shows that melatonin may also be a key to the aging process.

Mounting evidence also suggests that melatonin may possess potent antioxidative properties, especially versus free radicals, the molecules or molecular fragments containing an unpaired electron that many experts identify as causing the degenerative effects associated with aging.

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