A lot has been reported about the abuse of steroids in baseball like the recent Alex Rodriguez confessions.I hear that many are turning to growth hormone.Is this a safe alternative?
Austin, good evening I hope you are well and having a great night. With regard to your question, while it is true that growth hormone stimulates tissue uptake of amino acids, the synthesis of new protein, and long bone growth, spares plasma glucose by: opposing the action of insulin to reduce the use of plasma glucose, increasing the synthesis of new glucose in the liver (gluconeogenesis), and increasing the mobilization of fatty acids from adipose tissue there are proven side effects.The worst possible proven side effect is acromegaly, or gigantism, which is an unnatural growth of bone mass and thickening of the skin which is caused by a great excess in growth hormone.Other potential problems are edema and carpal tunnel syndrome.Finally growth hormone can cause an unknown cancer cell or small tumor to grow.
Unless prescribed and under the supervision of a physician we would not recommend using growth hormone for recreational purposes.
