The use of growth hormone has become widespread among athletes without medical supervision, aiming to build muscles and enhance athletic performance. It has also been promoted for use by seniors under the belief that it reverses aging effects or acts as a "fountain of youth." But does growth hormone enhance athletic performance or slow down aging? Is its use safe? Let's find out.
Firstly, what is growth hormone?
Growth hormone is a hormone naturally produced within the body by the pituitary gland (a small gland in the brain). It promotes body growth from childhood to adulthood, helps maintain the body's natural structure in adults, and plays a role in the metabolism process in both children and adults.
Growth hormone levels are higher in children and teenagers but decrease with age. Important factors that stimulate the secretion of growth hormone naturally within the body include sleep, exercise, and stress, with higher secretion occurring at night than during the day.
Growth Hormone as a Medical Prescription:
Growth hormone is prescribed by doctors as a therapeutic medical prescription given by injection in some medical conditions, which include:
In children who suffer from:
- Growth hormone deficiency or Microsomia.
- Cases of delayed development and growth.
- Down syndrome or Turner syndrome.
- Growth failure due to chronic kidney disease.
In adults who suffer from:
- Growth hormone deficiency in those who have problems with the pituitary gland.
- Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Misuse of growth hormone without medical supervision in large doses for extended periods leads to side effects such as:
Diabetes.
- High blood pressure.
- Fluid retention in the body.
- Joint and muscle pains.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (a medical condition where pressure on a nerve in the wrist causes pain and numbness in the hand).
- Increased risk of certain types of cancer such as colon cancer.
- Breast tissue enlargement (gynecomastia) in men.
We still have the question: Does taking growth hormone through injections improve athletic performance or increase muscle mass? And does it reverse aging?
- For athletes, claims that growth hormone enhances physical performance are not supported by any scientific evidence. Although it may increase body mass, this increase could be due to fluid retention in the body. Additionally, recent studies have shown that growth hormone does not enhance muscle strength or exercise capacity, not to mention the side effects of its misuse.
- As for the effect of growth hormones on aging, scientific evidence has not conclusively demonstrated any positive functional effects on the aging process. Some studies have shown that older adults are highly susceptible to side effects.
Important Guidelines:
Scientifically, it has not been proven that growth hormone is safe or effective for young athletes or even for seniors. However, you can achieve similar results safely by following these steps:
- Adopting a healthy diet plan that aims at consuming a moderate amount of protein daily (on average, 46 grams per day for women and 56 grams per day for men).
- Engaging in moderate physical activity regularly, such as walking for 30 minutes daily.
- Practicing strength training exercises (such as wall push-ups, dumbbell lifts, or resistance band pulls) two to three times a week to build muscle mass and strength.
- As a result, this reduces the risk of developing many chronic diseases, enhances your physical activity, and increases your enjoyment of life.