Additional Studies of Human Growth Hormone
Two other tests
done on men who were already on weight training programs were
also performed. In 2001, Dr. Jenkins of
Cambridge
University
studied seven athletes with an average age of 23 years, who
continued their training programs after starting HGH
supplementation.8 This test lasted fourteen days,
and the results showed that IGF-1 levels were doubled, but
muscle protein synthesis was not improved.8 One
other test of men on weight training programs was done at the
University
of
Vienna
in
Austria
in 1993. The men had an average age of 23 years and were
randomly assigned either a placebo or injected HGH.9
Again, IGF-1 levels were doubled, while muscle gains remained
the same between both groups.9 Although these two
tests state that HGH does not have benefits for weight
trainers, the opposite may be the case, given enough time.
These studies did not allow nearly enough time to examine the
real effects of the supplementation. It takes years for IGF-1
levels to decrease; to bring the levels of IGF-1 back to where
they once were takes time.
To write off HGH
as ineffective after a couple weeks of testing is a rather rash
notion; all anecdotal evidence shows people seeing the best
results only after multiple months of use. Donal O’Mathuna of
the Mount Carmel College of Nursing points out in Alternative
Medicine Alert that “…a limitation of these studies is
that in practice, athletes often take larger, varying
doses…” (O’Mathuna 65). Another point worthy of mention
is that the tests done on any age group under 25 may be
worthless. IGF-1 levels are only beginning to decrease at that
age; the benefits to the elderly may be far better.
Page 6: Growth Hormone in the Elderly
8.
Jenkins, PJ. “Growth hormone and exercise.” Clin
Endocrinol 1999;50:683-689.
9.
Deyssig R, Frisch H. Self-administration of cadaveric growth
hormone in power athletes. Lancet 1993; 341:768-769.
10.
O’Mathuna, Donal. “Effect on strength and muscle mass.” Alternative
Medicine Alert
June 2002 v5 i6 p65(4).
|
