Anti-Aging Hormone Therapy

We all know that hormones can be used in a variety of ways, from HRT for those who have had hysterectomies to human growth hormone - that little ingredient that makes the second blue line appear on a pregnancy testing kit. But did you know that there is anti aging hormone therapy?

Human Growth Hormone (hGH) is the big Kahuna of all the hormones. Most of us are aware that it is this hormone that promotes growth in children, but even as adults it tells us when to build new cells, initiates repair of existing cells, stimulates the brain and controls many of our functions, including our metabolism. It also controls the bones, muscles and organs!

As we get older there is less and less hGH circulating around our bodies, in fact by the time we hit 60 it is thought that we have lost up to 80% of the hGH that we once had.

The theory is that by using the human growth hormone, we can really reclaim our youth. In fact the National Institute on Aging has completed trials where Human Growth Hormone has increased muscle mass and decreased fatty tissue. There was also a reported increase in the quality of the skin, a decrease in the amount of pain that was being felt and an increase in immune response. People also commented that they felt that they had more energy and that their flexibility had also increased. A derivative of hGH is even used to help AIDs patients.

Doesn't it all sound great so far? So why hasn't anti aging hormone therapy been widely used and recognized as the answer to all of our aging concerns?

This is because there are still some drawbacks and dangers associated with this ant aging hormone use. Because it is a naturally occurring hormone that is produced by our pituitary gland there is some question as to why we would have to supplement with it if the body is performing the way that it is supposed to.

Along with the studies that had good results the NIA also discovered that there were some drawbacks to the hormone too, examples included an increase in the potential for diabetes, fluid retention leading to heart failure and some cancers do tend to spread faster in those undergoing hHG.

There is also concern that the delicate balance of hormones can be easily upset by supplementing with hGH. Because our hormones levels are always fluctuation depending on the time of day, a huge influx of hGH at a certain time of the day could set off a chain reaction among the other hormones that regulate our bodies.

DEHA is another anti aging hormone that is becoming popular, but again, the benefits vs risks do need to be seriously looked at before committing to any course of treatment.

Also there is no guarantee that by using anti aging hormone therapy that you will actually live any longer. You might look better but it will not stop the body from aging as normal. In fact further studies by the NIA have found that those with naturally occurring high levels of hGH tend to have a shorter life expectancy than those whose normal hormone levels have declined naturally.

The other drawback to anti aging hormone therapy is its cost.

A series of shots can cost anywhere from $6000 to $15000 a year, and no, your health insurance will not cover it. There are cheaper alternatives that come in the form of oral medications or even sprays, but none of these have been thoroughly tested and it is unclear whether or not they have the same potency or effect as the anti aging hormone therapy injections.

It seems that there is still much work and research to be done in the field of anti aging hormone therapy, and while the potential for eternal youth seems tantalizingly close, it may come at a cost that proves to be too great.