Nutrition Facts with Dr. Greger cover image

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.
10:41

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Injecting human growth hormone for anti-aging purposes leads to adverse effects with no actual benefits in muscle strength or performance.
  • DHEA supplements lack substantial anti-aging benefits and have quality control issues, making natural alternatives a safer choice.

Deep dives

Human Growth Hormone: A Risky Anti-Aging Scam

The sale and administration of human growth hormone for anti-aging purposes have been criticized as a form of quackery. Despite initial hype from a small trial indicating muscle gains, further placebo-controlled studies revealed no actual benefits in terms of muscle strength or performance. Instead, recipients mostly experienced fluid retention, swelling, joint aches, and other adverse effects without any anti-aging benefits. Injecting growth hormone has been linked to increased risks of muscle weakness, diabetes, high blood pressure, artery dysfunction, and even a heightened risk of mortality.

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