Human Growth Hormone Research

Research on human growth hormone has revealed a lot about its function in the human body. We now know that human growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland to regulate growth in children and young adults. After growth is complete, levels of human growth hormone begin to decline rapidly.

Scientists have discovered that too little or too much of human growth hormone can cause significant health problems in humans of any age. Human growth hormone is responsible for the maintenance of bone density, lean body mass, and muscle strength. It regulates fat storage and blood sugar. Recently, human growth hormone research has focused in the area of anti-aging and age-related health problems.

With all the claims being made that human growth hormone may be the fountain of youth, it's important to uncover facts about human growth hormone therapy. First, human growth hormone research shows that HGH does not enter the bloodstream when it is ingested. Therefore, in order to get any therapeutic effects, it must be injected.

Injections of human growth hormone are expensive and not without risk. When human growth hormone therapy is used for anti-aging purposes, the cost is generally not covered by insurance. While research has shown that injections of human growth hormone can result in younger looking skin, reduction of wrinkles, leaner body mass and sometimes increased bone density, its use is not without risk.

Human growth hormone research in mice suggests that increased levels of the hormone may actually shorten lifespan. Side effects include chronic joint pain and swelling, fluid retention, high blood pressure and facial bone growth.

Results of a study conducted by researchers at Kuopio University Hospital in Finland revealed that treating critically-ill patients with human growth hormone could significantly increase their risk of death. Additionally, treatment with human growth hormone increased the length of time patients needed to remain in intensive care or on a respirator.

Dr. Alfred Slonim of North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y. conducted research on the use of human growth hormone on Crohn's patients who had part of their bowels surgically removed. Results showed that growth hormone improved intestinal repair and that it may rebuild and strengthen the intestinal wall. Of the 19 adults treated with growth hormone, 14 patients reported vast improvement and 11 went into remission. Human growth hormone appeared almost as effective as the anti-inflammatory drug, Infliximab, the only FDA-approved medication specifically for Crohn's disease.

Few large, long term, properly conducted human growth hormone studies have been conducted on the relative benefits and risks of therapy. Researchers simply do not know what the long term effects of using this treatment might be.