Are HGH Supplements Good For You?
Human growth hormone (HGH) is a peptide hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that plays a key role in growth, cell regeneration and metabolism. As we age, our HGH levels naturally decline, which can lead to undesirable effects like decreased muscle mass, increased body fat, reduced bone density, decreased energy levels, and impaired immune function.
Many manufacturers of nutritional supplements now offer products marketed as HGH supplements or boosters that allegedly raise growth hormone levels in the body. These products claim to provide anti-aging and performance-enhancing benefits. But are HGH supplements safe and effective? Let's take a balanced look at the evidence.
Potential Benefits
- Proponents argue that restoring HGH levels to what they were in our youth can help reverse some effects of aging and provide other benefits like:
- Increased muscle mass and strength
- Improved exercise capacity and endurance
- Enhanced fat loss and weight control
- Improved skin texture and appearance
- Increased bone mineral density
- Enhanced immune function
- Improved mood and mental focus
- Some research studies provide support for several of these benefits. For example, giving synthetic HGH injections has been shown to reduce body fat, increase lean body mass, strengthen bones and improve lipid profiles.
Safety Concerns
- However, legitimate concerns have been raised about potential health risks associated with using HGH supplements, including:
- Acromegaly - Excessively high HGH levels can lead to overgrowth of bone and cartilage, especially in the face, hands and feet. This disfiguring condition is called acromegaly.
- Cancer risk - Some research links excess HGH levels to increased risk of certain cancers. The safety of prolonged use is unknown.
- Nerve, muscle and joint pain - Numerous side effects including pain have been reported with synthetic HGH injections and these could potentially occur with supplements as well.
- Importantly, dietary supplements marketed as "HGH boosters" do NOT actually contain human growth hormone. Rather, they consist of amino acids, herbs, vitamins and minerals hypothesized to increase natural HGH production levels in the body.
Do HGH Supplements Actually Work?
- There is no conclusive evidence that oral HGH boosters or sprays on the market can provide clinically significant increases of growth hormone levels. Limited data from small studies suggest some products may provide modest HGH increases, but often large individual variability is seen.
- Unlike injectable HGH prescribed by doctors, which enters the bloodstream directly, ingredients in supplements must survive digestion and be absorbed into the bloodstream - likely blunting their effects.
- Many experts say that all alleged benefits of over-the-counter HGH supplements are largely unproven and unlikely to live up to manufacturers' claims. More research is still needed.
The Bottom Line
- While restoring youthful growth hormone levels could theoretically provide anti-aging effects and other benefits, the efficacy and safety of using oral HGH supplements for this purpose remains unproven.
- Consumers should be very cautious about health claims made about these products, most of which are not formally approved or evaluated by regulatory bodies like the FDA.
- Talk to your doctor before taking any type of HGH supplement, especially if you have concerns about muscle loss, fatigue, decreased sex drive or other symptoms of aging. Certain medical conditions may underlie these issues instead.
- Making positive lifestyle changes - like adopting a nutrient-dense diet, staying active, reducing stress and getting enough sleep - may help boost natural HGH production without supplements.
In summary, while intriguing in theory, current evidence does not conclusively support the benefits or safety of using HGH supplements for anti-aging, bodybuilding or athletic performance enhancement. More research is still needed on these products.