Do Anti-Aging Hormones Work?

Anti-aging hormones, particularly human growth hormone (HGH) and testosterone are being prescribed by several medical clinics across the United States, and also in several countries around the world.

This treatment is sometimes called cenergenics. They claim rather convincingly that these hormones will control the aging process, thus putting you at a lower risk for age-related diseases. Testerone sounds good as an anti-aging treatment but it is not that simple. This is really not a proven treatment for anti-aging per Mayo Clinic.

In addition, these hormones will increase an individual’s muscle mass, strengthen bones, decrease body fat, increase your sexual appetite and help you look younger. There are clinics that charge up to $1200 monthly for this treatment. Testerone is not

According to the Mayo Clinic and other medical facilities, these are numerous possible side effects, particularly for older adults:

• Joint and muscle pain
• Higher incidence of developing diabetes or hypoglycemia
• Possible heart damage –causing an enlarged heart or high blood pressure
• Gynaecomastia (abnormal enlarged breasts on men)
• Liver damage
• Acromegaly which is an overgrowth of bones and tissue which can change your appearance causing a protruding jaw, eyebrows, or enlarged hands and feet
• Impotence

Human growth hormone is produced in the pituitary gland in the brain and its purpose is to fuel the growth of children, and it aids in maintaining organs and tissues throughout life. There are some circumstances where synthetic HGH is necessary, particularly in children who have an HGH deficiency. It is an injectable drug. Human growth hormone deficiency may be caused by an adenoma tumor on the pituitary gland, plus it is given to people with AIDS or HIV if they experience muscle wasting.

If a person has a deficiency, the synthetic HGH will:

• Increase muscle mass
• Increase bone density
• Decrease body fat
• Increase exercise capability

There are very few studies of adults using HGH.It is unusual for a person to have HGH deficiency.

Testosterone, an androgenic hormone, is chiefly produced by the testes. Women also have a small amount of testosterone, but for the purpose of this article, it will be focused on men. Since hormones do decline by middle age testosterone deficiency can be a problem for anyone. The physical symptoms of low testosterone include:

• Loss of sex drive
• Weight gain
• Muscle and bone loss
• Extreme fatigue
• Insomnia
• Problems with concentration
• Depression or mood swings
• Dry and/or wrinkled skin
• Erectile dysfunction
• Loss of sexual desire

A doctor will do a simple blood test if you are suffering from any of the above symptoms. The normal ranges for blood testosterone are males 300-1,200 ng/dl, Female 30-95 ng/dl. Low testosterone is easily treated with a monthly injection. This is distinctly different from using the combination of HGH and testosterone as an antiageing treatment.

We hear a lot in the news about athletics and weight lifters using anabolic steroids to increase muscle mass, but this is also different from the HGH and testosterone combination discussed in this article.

Another hormone therapy, which is thought by some to produce anti aging benefits is DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). It is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland. Its purpose is to help produce other hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen. Research studies have not found it to help with anti aging. However, some research has shown improvement on hipbone mineral bone density and concentration.

It is easy to conclude that we all would like to turn back the clock on aging, but the HGH plus testosterone combination has a possibility of such serious side effects that an individual would need to really think carefully about the risks.

Testosterone alone, on the other hand, is very effective in improving the quality of life for those people who actually have a low testosterone level and side effects are usually rare.

The best anti-aging philosophy is based on your lifestyle by eating healthy food, exercising, use sunscreen, reducing stress and getting enough sleep.