Dr. Andrew Weil, AARP, and Human Growth Hormone, HGH by Jeffrey Dach MD
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by Jeffrey Dach MD  Perhaps you have seen the Andrew Weil article entitled, "Dr. Debunker: The Truth About the Fountain of Youth" in the June 2007 AARP magazine which gives retired folks advice about anti-aging and longevity.(1) I have considerable respect for Dr. Weil and have followed his work over the years. However, after reading his article, my opinion of Dr. Weil has changed. This article is such poor quality and contains so many factual errors and errors of omission, that it raises serious questions about the author. This article will explain why human growth hormone is not a snake oil product, rather, it is an FDA approved pharmaceutical with many health benefits. Image at left: Stanley's Snake Oil Liniment 1920 Courtesy of Wikipedia BioIdentical Hormones Dr. Weil the Debunker omits bioidentical estrogen and progesterone for post menopausal women, and the many health benefits such as reduction in heart disease in women. (1A) He also omits testosterone for males with declining testosterone levels. This story was again told by golf star Shawn Micheel in Golf Digest.(2) Dr. Debunker omits the multiple medical reports showing that males with low testosterone have a higher mortality.(3)(4) Dr. Debunker also omits low thyroid evaluation, Vitamin B12 levels, vitamin D levels, Vitamin C Supplementation, and Iodine Supplementation, all of which are important for health, well being and longevity for the over 50.(5) Rather than discussing the above important topics, Dr. Debunker concentrates on Human Growth Hormone (HGH) for adults, warning us that HGH is a form of "snake oil" treatment. Perhaps Dr. Weil could explain the logic of how a patented, FDA approved pharmaceutical drug with proven efficacy can be called "snake oil".(6)(7)(8) The Dr. Debunker article fails to tell us that our hormone levels decline dramatically after age 50, and "by the age of 60 most adults have Growth Hormone levels indistinguishable from those of hypopituitary patients with organic lesions in the pituitary gland."(9) The Dr. Debunker article gives the mistaken impression there is only one single medical publication (Rudman NEJM 1990) which reports the beneficial effects of growth hormone on the physical parameters of aging.(10)(11) Volumes of Research on Growth Hormone Over Many Years In reality there has been over 20 years of research with thousands of medical studies showing benefits from Growth Hormone therapy, and extremely high safety profile. A few of these many medical research studies are listed on the Ron Rothenberg MD Web Site.(12)  Benefits of (HGH) growth hormone include improved body composition, increased muscle and less body fat, improved bone density, improved wound healing, improved cognitive function, and improved sense of well being. Burn victims heal faster with growth hormone and have increased muscle protein synthesis. Patients with Crohn's disease and short bowel syndrome show improved nutritional status with HGH treatment. Cardiac cachexia patients gain weight, get well and leave the hospital. There are studies showing improvement in cognitive function, and improvement in quality of life with HGH. (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22) (23)(24)(25)(26)(27) Image at left: human growth hormone protein structure courtesy of wikipedia, created with the data set from Protein Data Bank and the free program Rasmol. Dr. Debunker mistakenly assumes human growth hormone is given to aging adults to lengthen their years. This couldn't be farther from the truth, and is a straw man argument. This is not the intended use of human growth hormone by anti-aging docs like Ron Rothenberg, MD, a pioneer in Anti-Aging Medicine and Board Certified by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. Dr. Rothenberg gives the Growth Hormone lectures at the medical meetings, and he treats hundreds of patients with growth hormone therapy at the California Healthspan Institute.(28) Ron Rothenberg MD  Left Image: Courtesy of Ron Rothenberg MD and WorldHealth.netDr. Rothenberg's goal is not to lengthen lifespan; rather it is to improve the QUALITY of our lifespan. I spoke with Dr. Rothenberg after his lecture at the medical meeting. He is outgoing and personable fellow who appears younger than his stated age of 62, and he continues to be an avid California surfer with videos of himself surfing on his web site.(29) Image Below: Surfing Courtesy of Wikipedia  Here is what Dr. Ron Rothenberg says about human growth hormone therapy for adult deficiency: "As anti-aging physicians, our goal is to help our patients stay strong and vigorous as long as possible without gradual and protracted deterioration. We know Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy is a proven defense against frailty, and when added to lifestyle, this is our chance to stay stronger and more functional. If we were to stay perfect, why intervene? But since we don't, this is one way to maintain function while we await the genetic and biochemical therapies that will be available in the near future. These patients are happier and healthier. Just ask one. " (30) This is good advice for Dr. Andrew Weil the Debunker, who should actually talk to the people over 50 who benefit from human growth hormone therapy as part of a comprehensive wellness program. Growth Hormone is Legal Dr. Weil the Debunker also makes the grievous factual error in stating that human growth hormone therapy for adult deficiency is illegal. Again this couldn't be farther from the truth. If this were true, the 15,000 members of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, many of whom are board certified MD's, would already be in jail, a scenario, so ludicrous as to be laughable. In reality, well trained anti-aging physicians perform a complete medical workup including history, physical examination and extensive laboratory testing which includes tests for growth hormone levels (such as IGF-1), and then treat for the FDA approved indication of Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency.(33) In addition, there is follow up with serial blood testing to ensure safety. Contrary to what Dr. Weil says, I assure you this is VERY legal. Opposition by Mainstream Medicine It is certainly true that mainstream medicine differs from the position of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine on the use human growth hormone for aging adults, and this is for political reasons. Growth hormone is expensive, and would bankrupt the health insurance industry and Medicare program. It is also certainly true that human growth hormone is an FDA approved pharmaceutical which has been proven effective, and therefore "snake oil" is hardly an appropriate label. Beware High Presure Sales Operations on the Internet Of course there are problems. There are hordes of disreputable boiler room operations selling Growth Hormone on the internet without adequate medical supervision. The buyer should beware of these types of operations, beware of purchasing counterfeit drugs, and avoid purchasing Growth Hormone or any other prescription drugs over the phone from strangers. It is highly recommended that you have a close personal relationship with a knowledgeable physician with the proper training to oversee the program and monitor for adverse side effects. (31) To find such a physician, use the Doctor's Directory at the American Academy.(32) For more information on HGH human growth hormone see my web site.(33) Articles with Related Interest: Anna Nicole Smith and Growth Hormone Hypothyroidism and Thyroflex Jeffrey Dach MD 4700 Sheridan Suite T Hollywood Fl 33021 954-983-1443 www.jeffreydach.com www.drdach.com www.naturalmedicine101.com www.truemedmd.com References (1) www.aarpmagazine.org/health/debunker_fountain_of_youth.html (1A) http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/356/25/2591 (2) www.golfdigest.com/features/index.ssf?/features/gd200608callahan.html (3) archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/166/15/1660 (4) www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=81592 (5) www. (6) (6) (6) (6) www.google.com/patents?id=ylEoAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&dq=human+growth+hormone (7) http://www.fda.gov/cder/handbook/develop.htm (8) www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-05-31-growth-drug_x.htm (9) content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Aktion=ShowAbstract&ArtikelNr=23531&Ausgabe=225980&ProduktNr=224036 (10) content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/323/1/1 (11) content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/323/1/1 (12) ehealthspan.com/references/index.html (13) www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/pagerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1234282&pageindex=1 (14) www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1479605 (15) www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1493563 (16) www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1664832 (17) www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1409868 (18) www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1773673 (19) www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1191645 (20) www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1501119&rendertype=abstract (21) www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/pagerender.fcgi?artid=1669103&pageindex=1 (22) www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=507772 (23) www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1493563 (24) www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1119467 (25) www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=10984257 (26) www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=15094076&query_hl=8&itool=pubmed_docsum (27) www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=15478038&query_hl=8&itool=pubmed_docsum (28) ehealthspan.com/treatment/bios.html (29) ehealthspan.com/treatment/surf.html (30) ehealthspan.com/treatment/gh-therapy.html (31) www.drdach.com/wst_page16.html (32) www.worldhealth.net/p/directory-detail;catalogdirectory,6238.html (33) www.drdach.com/wst_page16.html Disclaimer: http://www.drdach.com/wst_page20.html The information contained here written by Jeffrey Dach MD is NOT intended to diagnose or treat any existing disease or ailment, or to replace in any way the patient /physican relationship with your own personal physician. Note that all contents of this message, including any advice, suggestions, and/or recommendations has NOT been generated as part of any professional evaluation. No patient has been examined prior to making these comments; no professional fee has been charged by or paid to myself. Regarding the nutritional supplements which may be mentioned: These have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to treat disease. Any comments made about nutritional supplements are of a general nature and not intended to provide personal advice. The reader should seek the advice of a trusted health care professional regarding the use, risks, benefits, indications, and contra-indications of the various nutritional supplements which may be mentioned. Regarding FDA approved pharmaceutical drugs mentioned: Any comments made about drugs are of a general nature and not intended to provide personal advice. The reader should seek the advice of a trusted health care professional regarding the use, risks, benefits, indications, and contra-indications of drugs. The reader is advised to discuss the comments on these pages with his/her personal physicians and to only act upon the advice of his/her personal physician Also note that concerning an answer which appears as an electronically posted question, I am NOT creating a physician -- patient relationship. Although identities will remain confidential as much as possible, as I can not control the media, I can not take responsibility for any breaches of confidentiality that may occur. Jeffrey Dach MD 4700 Sheridan Suite T Hollywood Fl 33021 954-983-1443 www.jeffreydach.com www.drdach.com www.naturalmedicine101.com www.truemedmd.com Link to this article: http://jeffreydach.com/2007/06/24/dr-andrew-weil-aarp-and-human-growth-hormone-hgh-by-jeffrey-dach-md.aspx This article may be copied or reproduced on the internet provided a link and author credit is given. |
Categories: health
Tags: Ron Rothenberg Growth clark stanley Andrew Weil Hormone HGH Human debunker
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