Human growth hormones or HGH has been recommended and promoted for anti-aging purposes, although not FDA approved for this intention.

In order to determine the effectiveness and safety of the human growth hormone and elderly patients, researchers from the Veterans Affair Palo Alto Healthcare Systems and Stanford University conducted a review in 2007 of HGH trials.

All 220 participants were elderly – the mean age was 69, and all were obese – the mean BMI was 28 kg.  Treated patients had an overall decrease in lean body mass in addition to overall fat body mass; however their weight did not significantly change.   Plus, patients’ total cholesterol levels decreased although this change was not significant after adjusting for the body composition. Most notably, these benefits were accompanied by side effects; patients receiving HGH supplements were significantly more likely to experience soft tissue edema, Corporal Tunnel, arthralgias and gynecomastia.  These patients were also somewhat more likely to develop diabetes.

This particular study set out to evaluate the safety and efficiency of the human growth hormone for anti-aging purposes.  Their conclusion was that they would not recommend HGH for anti-aging purposes based on the fact that there are very few rigorous scientific data evaluating the effects of HGH on anti-aging in particular.  Next, this data suggests that there is perhaps a minimal benefit in that you can get a few pounds to change from fat mass to lean body mass. 

Many people, women especially, in Hollywood and across the country on Broadway, spend thousands of dollars on HGH supplements and human growth hormone injections to make themselves feel and look younger and better without giving thought to the recovery time or long-term side effects.

There are many health complications yet to be discovered regarding HGH side effects because the long-term use of the human growth hormones has thus far to be fully studied; however a few side effects that have been linked to HGH include insulin resistance which could lead to diabetes, stiffening of the joints which could lead to inactivity because of the joint pain and Corporal Tunnel Syndrome.