Is human growth hormone (hGH), the long sought after fountain of youth? Dr. Judith Reichman was invited on the "Today" show to provide medical and legal information about this hormone, and to discuss the various formulations and growth hormone substitutes that are sold by the multi-billion dollar anti-aging industry.
Once upon a time, we grew old gracefully. Well, as a matter of fact, many of us didn’t get to grow old — the average life expectancy for a woman a century ago was only 47. These days, many of us will live well into our 70s and 80s. Our longevity can be attributed to public health policies and the marvels of modern medicine. But is there also a hormonal “marvel” that can increase our “well-gevity,” allowing us to keep our youthful bodies and health?
What is growth hormone? Does it really work to stop aging?
Growth hormone is produced in the pituitary gland of the brain. Once released, it induces the liver to make insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and this hormone then triggers the growth of bones and body tissues. HGH is especially important for normal growth in children. Indeed, most of our knowledge of hGH comes from studying children who lack the hormone, and as a result suffer from stunted growth and development. In adults, a true medical deficiency of growth hormone may result from disease, tumors, surgery or radiation that destroys critical areas in the pituitary. This then leads to weight gain, cholesterol abnormalities, heart disease, fatigue, decreased immune response, loss of muscles and osteoporosis.
