HGH

[Tony]

I got a call the other day by a guy trying to sell "HGH", apparently it's some kind of wonder drug that has been too expensive for the average joe until recently. What exactly does HGH do, and are the claims about it factual?

 

[UnrepentantSinner]

Human Growth Hormone.

Don't buy any unless it's "herbal" HGH, then it probably will at least be non-dangerous for you.

Found this on the FDA site.
http://www.fda.gov/foi/warning_letters/g3461d.pdf

Distribution of your hGH product violates 21 U.S.C. 333(f). Your hGH product is being promoted and distributed for an unapproved use. There are no recombinant hGH products that are approved by the Food and Drug Administratio n (FDA) for anti-aging treatment. 24 U.S.C. 333(f) states that ‘I . . .whoever knowingly distributes, or possesses with intent to distribute, human growth hormone for any use in humans other than the treatment of a disease or other recognized medical condition, where such use has been authorized by the Secretary-of Health and Human Sehrices under 21 U.S.C. 355 and pursuant to the order of a physician, is guilty of an offense punishable by not more than 5 years in prison, such fines as are authorized by Title 18, United States Code, or both.”

 

[Tony]

Does it offer any benefits?

 

[UnrepentantSinner]

Does it offer any benefits?

If you want a surge of testosterone and a sense of vitality, take your money to the topless bar. It'll be better spent.

 

[RSLancastr]

HGH has been promoted heavily on Art Bell's (now George Noory's) Coast To Coast AM radio show.

That alone speaks wonders about its uselessness

I know, its not a very skeptical argument, but any "health" product that has to stoop to advertising on that show is most likely crap.

 

[TillEulenspiegel]

The only clinical application I am aware of is for injections for children who suffer from dwarfism ( either genetic or because of alternative reasons I.E kidney function abnormalities, hypothyroidism...).

There have been studies that seem to indicate some benefits. The downside is the long term effects on older humans are unknown. The compound that appears to be the main active component is ILGF 1 and 2 ( Insulin Like Growth Factor) the effects do not persist over time and the solution is expensive.

It is a series of injections and is not available in this country with out a prescription. It has no "herbal" or "Chineese Medicine" analog. Kinda like those "herbal Viagra "ads we get spammed with. There is no such thing.

An endocrinologist would be someone to seek out if your seriously contemplating using this product.

This info is dated but still valid as far as I'm aware.

 

[UnrepentantSinner]

This reminds me that I got junk mail today about penis enlargement. It had a whole bunch of the usual crap but there was one insert that said: Most Convincing Proof of All!

That proof? Semi anonymous anecdotal testimonials.

 

[American]

Taking too much can slow down a child's growth. It's been used as a therapy for just that purpose (with kids who were growing too fast).

Wreckless use is dangerous, possibly causing cancer.

And there really can't be any difference between "herbal" forms and regular HGH. In whatever form the compoud is taken, it's metabolized to its regular form, or else it's simply not HGH, period. Same applies to "organic" Vitamin C ads... Vitamin C is vitamin C, and there is none other.

 

[BTox]

And there really can't be any difference between "herbal" forms and regular HGH. In whatever form the compoud is taken, it's metabolized to its regular form, or else it's simply not HGH, period. Same applies to "organic" Vitamin C ads... Vitamin C is vitamin C, and there is none other.

The so-called herbal forms are marketed as HGH "releasers", typically amino acid mixtures that are, of course, garbage. Same for homeopathic HGH supplements, that use real HGH but dilute it to a worthless and ineffective concentration.

 

[Quasi]

I worked with rhGH for over two years in the biotech field. It is a medium sized protein, about 26,000 Da in mass, and has a complex folding pattern. The hGH works in the IGF-1 pathway to increase the body's release of IGF-1 which promotes growth in children. In adults, it increases the lean muscle mass and muscle tone, however, it also causes gigantism- you will have growth in the forehead, hands and feet only, and totally out of proportion with the rest of your body at high doses. It is extremely expensive because of the cost of manufacture, storage, and the injecting into you by an M.D. We could get it as cheap as ~$2000 US per gram, and it is sold to the consumer at close to $20,000 US/gram or more. Previously cadaveric hGH was used, but is causes a "mad cow" like disease later on in life, which rHGH does not cause. The hebal supplements are based on an experiment a researcher did where he found that certain amino acids caused a very short term burst of IGF-1. This burst is so low it has no clinical significance.
There is data showing hGH can help Crohn's disease sufferers and may have benifits in older folks as the hGH in the body decreases with age. At the right dose, gigantism can be avoided while growing better muscle tone which could improve the quality of life in people over 65.
rhGH can be made in e-coli bacteria or yeast. rbGH, bovine growth hormone has no effect in the human body whatsoever, and the current data supports this. Anyway, I could go on and on.


Some of the most important facts are:

Dietary supplements do not contain hGH, if they did, it isn't there now because it breaks down rapidly unless stored properly (in zinc acetate buffer, freeze dried at -20C or below.)

In the research, the amount of hGH released by eating DS is so tiny, it has no effect on the body.

Only use rhGH because cadaveric causes a fatal neurological disease.

Manufacterers of rhGH include: Genentech in San Francisco Calif., Novartis AG, and others.