Growth hormone won’t slow ageing
People taking growth hormones in the hope that it’ll prevent ageing may be wasting their money, according to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
A recent paper said that while there was some evidence that growth hormone increases muscle and reduces body fat, it doesn’t seem to translate to extra strength or less heart risk nor does its effects last longer than two years. It also leads to possible side effects including muscle and joint pain, raised blood fats and sugar and ankle swelling.
In terms of ageing itself, the report said the hormones may work the opposite way. In animal studies those who are growth hormone deficient actually live longer and have less cancer. Rats with high growth hormone levels age more rapidly.
