A new report by ConsumerLab.com says that many supplements that claim to boost levels of human growth hormone (hGH) actually contain only trace amounts of the substances needed to achieve this. Dr Tod Cooperman and colleagues reviewed the ingredients of around a dozen products that claim to boost hGH levels. These supplements typically fell into three categories: products that contain amino acids designed to temporarily boost hGH, homeopathic hGH products that contain an extremely diluted amount of the hormone, and “nanogram-strength” hGH, which contains roughly 1/1000th of the prescription-strength dose of the hormone. After reviewing the ingredients of the supplements Cooperman et al found that all contained nowhere near the dose of amino acid or hGH needed to have the effect of boosting hGH levels. Cooperman also says that the way these products are administered, for example orally or by a nasal spray, makes it impossible for the body to absorb what little of the hormone is there. Such hGH supplements are sold with the promise that the products will produce the same effects as when hGH is injected directly into a vein, however that is clearly not the case.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.reutershealth.com on the 8th December 2003.
