HGH: Is it really effective for anti-aging?

HGH stands for human growth hormone and has been at the forefront of the public’s imagination since its introduction with no signs of slowing down the discourse.  As we continue to obsess over some far away fountain of youth or search for immortality in a bottle, we will always be interested in things like human growth hormone as a possible panacea for all the ails us, both physically and psychologically.   Human growth hormone is chemically created by internal mechanisms that operate in our bodies throughout our lives.  It has been proven crucial for human development, particularly in the early stages of growth when the gains are so rapid and immense.  However, HGH continues to be essential for adults even as they age.  While scientists are not completely convinced, they suspect that the plummeting level of this hormone as people age is main contributing factor is the typical decline we experience as our age increases.  For example, it is believed that flabbier muscle, loose elastin in the skin and a generally softer appearance are all biological processes that occur naturally as the level of HGH in our bodies tapers off.

With the latest technology, doctors can now synthetically create human growth hormone instead of relying on corpses in order to harvest the substance.  Because we can now manufacture it, it has been used on humans in certain approved contexts.  Up to this point, those situations mainly encompassed the stunted growth of children with defective gland issues who were unable to continue growing taller and develop.  However, in the 1990’s studies began to emerge that suggested there might be some significant added benefit people over 60 to inject HGH into their bodies in the hopes it would slow the aging process.  In fact, it did lessen the effects of age but there are still countless unknowns that exist in the body of research.   For example, human growth hormone may turn out to be a volatile substance once reintroduced to the body at an advanced age and could lead to detrimental side effects.  It has been suggested that perhaps heart disease and liver damage could result from the reckless, unsupervised use of the substance. 

As a result of such widespread publicity, illegitimate suppliers on the internet began selling fake HGH substances and a wave of suspicious sellers began cropping up online.  Despite inconclusive findings and a whole host of unsavory suppliers around, there still exists enormous curiosity about human growth hormone.  As evidence of the phenomenon, since 2000, there have been over 150 medical journal reports on the connection between the again process and HGH.  Renewed interest is sure to peak as the baby boomer generation ages and brings with it the notion that medical advances are not only possibilities but also entitlements.  This attitude that we can surpass the preconceived limitations of the human body is at once a blessing and a burden as we strive for the next great longevity solution.  One thing is for sure, as long as we continue to push the bounds of medicine and science with our ingenuity and curiosity, this conversation will continue.