Human Growth Hormone (hGH) has been hailed as the fountain of youth that can reverse the effects of ageing. The anti-ageing value of hGH is, however both applauded and challenged by the medical industry. This essay will discuss the 3000 year old history and the newly emerging modern anti-ageing industry. Along with clinical trials, which study the effects caused by Human Growth Hormone and Growth Hormone Releasers (GHR) are mentioned, the hGH marketing campaign will throw some light on the benefits of hGH and GHR’s. Issues such as health and ageing will also be explored. It will be argued that the benefits of GHR’s need to be counterbalanced against a healthy lifestyle to determine its value.
Anti-ageing obsession has a 3000 year old history and remains one of the largest in the world. From the Egyptians who had their bodies mummified, snake oil salesmen promoting potions and invasive procedures such as human testis transplants, grafted ovaries and injections of sex glands that professed to slow, reverse and extend the human life span. Later, more sophisticated modern day anti-ageing products that promote scientific discovery as a basis for their effectiveness such as, intestinal purification, oxygen therapy, mineral and ozonised waters and filters, vitamins and health supplements and human growth hormone and growth hormone releasers. With the emergence of modern day anti-ageing medicine claims of longevity and vitality by slowing, stopping or reversing human ageing appeals to those who want to hide or fight ageing (Binstock, 2004, pp. 523-524). However, according to Olshansky, Hayflick and Perls (2004, pp. 513-514), claims to slow, stop or reverse ageing are questionable when no biological indicator can be found to measure biological age and consequently no empirical data to suggest ageing in humans can be altered. Despite this, advances in scientific research have provided some fundamental information on the basic mechanisms of ageing, and given time may lead to treatments that affect the rate of ageing. While treatments cannot be measured for their effectiveness in altering the ageing process, and with the ongoing promises and predictions of scientific research, such anti-ageing products will continue to be promoted. One such treatment, human growth hormone (HGH) is highly promoted to treat ageing, in the belief that ageing is a compilation of various diseases that can be stopped and reversed. Both historical and modern anti-ageing claims are in agreement by proclaiming to slow and reverse ageing, however the modern anti-ageing industry command legitimacy by using ground-breaking scientific evidence and medical technology.
Advances in research and scientific evidence have seen much excitement and consequent growth in the anti-ageing industry. One organisation forming out of the anti-ageing movement as discussed by Klatz (2001-2002, pp. 59-62), is the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine or A4M, whose reliance on scientific discovery and advancements in biotechnology to support and advance diagnosis, prevention and interventions in human ageing. Furthermore, A4M emphasis these scientific discoveries are generated by biotechnical interventions such as genetic engineering, stem cells, cloning, nanotechnology, artificial organs and nerve-impulse continuity. According to the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, n.d.), “believes that the disabilities associated with normal aging are caused by physiological dysfunction which any many cases are ameliorable to medical treatment, such that the human lifespan can be increased, and the quality of one’s life improved as one grows chronologically older”. A4M’S literature also states that it does not sell or endorse any commercial product or promote or endorse any specific treatment. It does however seek to distribute information on any types of medical treatment. It can be seen from the above statements that A4M supports and advances scientific evidence and technology and aligns itself with chronological ageing rather than controversial biological ageing, as stated in the previous paragraph, which suggests biological ageing cannot be measured. However, A4M’s connections with popular over-the-counter commercial products contradict their allegiance with the mainstream scientific community and their own organisation statement that states it does not promote any commercial product. An example of this contradiction is found with the president of the American Academy of Ant-Aging Medicine, Dr R Klatz, who wrote the book, Grow Young with HGH. Consequently, in an official statement by the Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M), quoting Dr. Bruce Ames (as cited in Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, 2002.), “there is potentially much benefit…in trying high-dose nutrient therapy, because of the nominal cost, ease of application, and low level of risk.” Further reference in this article is made to dietary supplements having a big impact in ageing. By considering Dr Katz loyalty to HGH and A4M along with supportive statements on dietary supplements as a position statement held by the anti-ageing industry may, as stated above, give the impression of similarity between HGH and dietary supplements as a scientific anti-ageing treatment.
While a history of contradictions exists within the scientific anti-ageing industry there are also inconsistent and unconvincing results involved with Human Growth Hormone as an anti-ageing remedy. According to Harman and Blackman (2004, pp. 652-653), recombinant human GH or rhGH is a bioengineered and injectable form of HGH has been used to treat adults with hormone deficiencies that naturally declines during ageing. With declines in HGH likewise are changes with bone and muscle mass which may lead to bone fractures, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease and reduced physical functioning. The replacement of HGH is said to improve cardiovascular health, bone and muscle mass and the quality of life though very few trials with rhGH have been used on elderly people with health problems over the age of 60, of those trials have resulted in unclear clinical benefits. Secondly, trials conducted on non-elderly GH deficient adults responded with measureable improvements in body composition, muscle strength, physical function, bone density and quality of life. Thirdly, trials conducted on healthy older person aged over 65 years resulted in increased lean body mass, decreased fat though minimal or no improvement in strength. The appeal of restoring growth hormones to their youthful state may come at a high cost of breast, prostate and colon cancers and cause serious life threatening health problems without causing cancer. In contrast, Imre Zs-Nagy (2009, p. 273) writes that use of hGH does not change fundamental ageing, or increase risk of cancer in humans but it does improve health and extend a healthier life span. In comparison to scientific research on HGH, the over-the-counter use of nutritional growth hormone releaser’s (GHR) has been used for over 50 years by athletes with no data of any incidences of cancer. Despite the clinical research on HGH as stated above, no clinical research has been presented on growth hormone releasers.
Given some of the advantages of HGH as outlined in the previous paragraph, and the appeal of youthful advantage, it is quite predictable that clever marketing of growth hormone releasers has significantly increased. For example, the advertisement placed in Air Canada (2008), which tells you with the use of HGH, the human body will regenerate to its 25 year old biological age, reverse haemorrhoids, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, cataracts, rheumatoid arthritis and many other diseases and disorders. No longer will you need to see a Doctor to be prescribed HGH as the same benefits can be achieved with Growth Hormone Releasers (GHR). GHR is new all-natural over-the-counter formula is available to every adult. GHR or growth hormone releasers contain amino acids, ginseng and other supplements and pituitary powder prepared from pigs to induce your own pituitary to release extra growth hormone (“Anti-Aging Research,” n.d.). The interchangeable wording of HGH and GHR serves to misrepresent the real benefits of GHR which, according to Harman and Blackman (2004, p. 655), low doses of rhGH has shown small cosmetic changes and increased muscle strength though unlikely to be of any clinical significance. With no available data or studies for growth hormone releasers advertising for GHR will continue to be exaggerated, misleading and distract away from other aspects of healthy living.
While scientific research may bring significant advances to stop or reverse ageing or even prevent death in the future, alternatively, healthy living will have an immediate impact on ageing. Luigi Cornaro (as cited in Haber, 2004, pp. 515-516), wrote almost 500 years ago ‘The Art of Living Long’ was diagnosed in his mid-thirties with a variety of illnesses including gout, dehydration and fever, then turned his life around to experience good health and happiness right up until his death in his late nineties. Cornaro’s life has formed the basis of many philosophies of ageing and other aspects found across many theories still relevant to this day. It is worth looking at his life so we could learn from his experiences to achieve a longer and healthy life. His key to a long life was based on a principle of everything in moderation. He learned that through the power of self-control, moderation of diet and behaviour change then diseases would disappear enabling the individual to remain active and productive. Cornaro also lived each day being appreciative throughout life and gained a positive cheerful view of old age that offered promise and fulfilment. He contended that eliminating diseases that accompany old age, rather than old age itself and that old age is a time to enjoy the results of earlier life, one of learning and good virtues that gives back to the community and a gained understanding of the worth of a long life lead to physical, mental and emotional happiness. We have seen that Cornaro did everything in moderation, ate, drank, exercised, slept, involved himself in the community and we also know he stimulated his mind by writing. He lived over 500 years ago so he probably did not eat any takeaway food and kept active and productive by cultivating his own food. Further to this Cornaro held a joyful disposition of life until the day he died. The simplicity and ease to improve your health and achieve a longer and healthy life, as stated above, all begins with you and your ability to maintain self-control.

As long as people age, the prospect of being young again will have worldwide appeal. Along with legitimate anti-ageing research, has seen anti-ageing supplements surge ahead of any real scientific evidence that shows the process of ageing can be altered. Clinical research has shown the use of recombinant hGH to treat adults with GH deficiency has shown measurable improvements whereas use of hGH in healthy adults has provided minimal cosmetic improvement at the cost of potential life threatening illnesses. Though diet supplements are not medicines, they are being marketed as a medicine with no known significant benefit to the health and may even be risky. GHR is easily available and promoted as quick fix for a longer healthy life but may distract attention away from a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle can change your life, bring about good habits and most importantly improves your outlook on life that will last a lifetime.

References
Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (2002). Official position statement on the truth about human aging. Retrieved from http://www.worldhealth/net/pages/official_position_statement_on_the_truth
Air Canada (2008). Choose life: Grow young with HGH. enRoute inflight magazine, 3, 1.
American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, (n.d). History and overview. Retrieved from http://www.anti-aginevents.com/lasvegas/store/documents/about_a4m.pdf
Anti-Aging Research. (n.d.). Retreived from http://www.biehealth.ca/Research5.asp
Binstock, R.H. (2004). Anti-Aging medicine and research: A realm of conflict and profound societal implications. Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences, 59A(6), 523-533.
Haber, C. (2004). Life extension and history: The continual search for the fountain of youth. Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences, 59A(6), 515-522.
Harman, S.M., & Blackman, M.R. (2004). Hormones and supplements: Do they work? Use of growth hormones for prevention or treatment of effects of aging. Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences, 59A(7), 652-658.
Klatz, R. (2001-2002). Anti-aging medicine: Resounding, independent support for expansion of an innovative medical specialty. Generations, XXV, 59-62. Retrieved from http:/breakfornews.com/offsitearchive/A4M-1.pdf
Olshansky, S.J., Hayflick, L., & Perls, T.T. (2004). Anti-aging medicine: The hype and the reality-Part 1. Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences, 59A(6), 513-514.
Zs.Nagy, I. (2009). Is consensus in anti-aging medical intervention an elusive expectation or a realistic goal? Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 48, 271-275.