HGH: Worthless and Dangerous Dr. Mitchell Harman, Kronos Longevity Research Center

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Don't believe claims that HGH (human growth hormone) pills or sprays are the fountain of youth. They don't work, Mitchell Harman, M.D., director of the Kronos Longevity Research Center, and a leading expert on HGH, told the Jean Carper radio show.

Such supplements contain no growth hormone, and claims the pills stimulate your body to produce growth hormone are untrue, said Dr. Harman.

In a new crack down on the sellers of HGH supplements, the Federal Trade Commission in June, 2005, got a court order requiring a Florida company to pay up to $20 million to settle charges they falsely claimed their HGH pills and sprays provided antiaging benefits.

The FTC sent warning letters to 90 internet sellers of HGH supplements that are making similar untrue and unlawful claims.

Beware HGH shots:

Some doctors also give "antiaging" injections of human growth hormone, which are dangerous, said Dr. Harman. His research showed that nearly half of a group of older people who got HGH shots suffered harm. They developed carpal tunnel syndrome, joint pain, a condition known as acromegaly (enlargement of hands, feet and face) and, most alarming, insulin resistance and diabetes.

Growth hormone shots could also help trigger cancer, said Harman, because HGH stimulates cell proliferation that can lead to cancer.

Harman's advice: Stay away from HGH. shots and don't waste your money on HGH pills. -