3 quick facts: human growth hormone

As you age, your body slows down and you become frailer. If you're looking to keep your strength and vitality, it’s natural to check out any treatments like hormone therapy that could help you feel more energetic. These tips will help you make a decision on what route to take.

This is when you get an injection boost of a particular hormone to replace those that naturally decline as you age. You can get hormones for everything from wrinkle diminishment to a drop in libido.

Many experts say that the demand for hormone therapies and the supposed benefits they provide are years ahead of definitive research on their effectiveness. In other words, research hasn't quite caught up with the long-term impact hormone therapies may have on our bodies.

Research has determined the following though:

• The amounts of hormones like human growth hormone (HGH) decline as we age, but replacing them with synthetic versions doesn't necessarily slow the aging process
• Hormones increase the risk of a variety of health problems and unwanted side effects.

Studies supporting the beneficial outcome of hormone use have often been on people who were deficient in growth hormone. HGH can improve body composition, muscle strength, physical function and bone density.

Unfortunately, HGH also has these side effects: carpal tunnel syndrome, edema, joint pain, swelling and possibly an increased risk of cancer.

The jury is still out as to whether HGH can help the average person look or feel younger, and the long-term risks are, as yet, unknown.

Researchers say that products that claim to offer HGH in pill form almost certainly have no benefit.

It’s easy to see if a product is proven to do what it ‘says on the can’.
Canada's Natural Health Products Directorate regulates supplements so you should be in no doubt about what you are putting in your body. Look for the following:
A Natural Product Number (this is also called an NPN).
Homeopathic Medicine Number (this might also appear as a DIN-HM).
This guarantees that that health claims made on the bottle are supported by evidence and that what is purported to be in the bottle actually is

Putting extra hormones in your body is a step you need to take wisely. Before heading off for a treatment, make sure you understand the wider picture. These tips will help you make a clear decision.