Dangerous Shortcut?The following article appeared in the March 2008 edition of Houston Health & Fitness Sports Magazine. It has been called the fountain of youth, but is human growth hormone (HGH), really safe? Your body naturally makes growth hormone to help fuel growth during childhood and to help maintain your tissues and organs throughout life. Beginning in your 40s, the pituitary gland, the pea-sized structure at the base of the brain where growth hormone is made, slowly reduces hormone production. A synthetic human growth hormone, available only by prescription, is currently approved to treat adults with true growth hormone deficiency. But because HGH has been shown to increase bone density, muscle mass and exercise capacity, while decreasing body fat and bolstering the heart's ability to contract, many athletes have sought to acquire HGH through black market sources. “This is an unperfected science, one that's truly in its infancy,” explains Houston strength and conditioning expert Anthony Falsone. “While there have been reports of positive results, the technology is no where near where it needs to be in order to guarantee 100 percent patient safety. Twenty to 30 years from now HGH therapy may become the fountain of youth we have been looking for, but right now, individuals who seek this medical treatment can consider themselves no more than human guinea pigs.” Dr. James Muntz, team doctor for the Houston Rockets, Texans and Astros agrees. “There has not been enough research to give physicians guidelines. How much is enough? How much is too much? What happens to people who aren't deficient in HGH? What happens to your heart? Does it get bigger? There is no question anabolic steroids and/or HGH will increase an athlete's muscle mass and strength. The question remains, at what cost? But athletes who feel the need to use those types of supplements find a way to get them,” Muntz says. “We have a responsibility to educate young athletes in particular, about the negative effects that can take place,” Falsone says. “Plain and simple, these drugs can hurt you and they may very well contribute to an early death.” -Lisa Malosky
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