Question 216 of 433
What about growth hormone?
The short answer
Avoid it for anti-aging. Growth hormone adds a little muscle and removes a little fat in older adults, but does not improve strength, and it causes swelling, joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and higher blood sugar.
There is also a theoretical cancer concern, since growth signals feed tumors. Strikingly, people and animals with naturally low growth-hormone signaling tend to live longer, not shorter. Prescribing growth hormone for aging is not a legal use in the United States. The peptides that prompt your own growth hormone release are discussed in Part 20.
“This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship.” From the book’s medical disclaimer. Full disclaimer
HUMAN TRIALS / SAFETY — Healthy older adults: growth hormone alters composition without established functional or longevity benefit.Evidence grade (draft mapping)Grade pendingPart 15, Q216 · Part sources
From Longevity Unmasked by Afshine Ash Emrani, MD, FACC. Medical disclaimer. This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship. Nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Medicine is personal: a test, drug, supplement, or exercise plan that helps one person can harm another. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or treatment because of something you read in these pages. Talk with a licensed clinician who knows your history first. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911. The author disclaims responsibility for any loss or harm arising from use of the information in this book.