Nutrition Facts with Dr. Greger Can Human Growth Hormones Make Us Younger?
May 30, 2024
Exploring the use of human growth hormones for anti-aging purposes reveals no significant benefits and highlights negative side effects. The podcast also discusses the risks of misuse and counterfeit products. Additionally, it examines the natural decline of DHEA levels with age and explores the impact of vegetarian diets on hormone balance.
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Human Growth Hormone Risks
- Human growth hormone injections can cause fluid retention, not true muscle gain, often resulting in swelling rather than strength increase.
- Growth hormone use may accelerate aging and increase risks like muscle weakness, diabetes, and cancer.
Growth Hormone Safety Concerns
- Children treated with growth hormone decades ago showed a 33% increased mortality risk, mainly from brain bleeds and tumors.
- Growth hormone-induced elevation of IGF-1 likely promotes cancer, raising serious safety concerns.
DHEA Supplements Lack Benefits
- DHEA levels decline with age but oral DHEA supplements largely fail to improve sexual function, mood or cognition.
- DHEA may help fertility in women but causes side effects like acne and raises cancer-promoting IGF-1 levels.