In 1990 a report giving the findings of research done with 12 Elderly men
who were aged 61 to 81 and the research was on the effect of hgh
therapy.

The twelve participants received hgh by injection while another group of
elderly men were used as control.

Without any diet or exercise just the hgh treatment the results were significant.
The group that received hgh showed an 8.8 per cent increase in lean body fat
and lost 14 per cent in fat. Their skin thickened and firmed up and the lower back bones of the spine increased.

It was estimated these improvements were equal to in size to the changes that 20 years of aging bring.

The body produces about 500 micrograms at aged 20 and reduces to 25micrograms
at age 81.

The reason the hgh in the body drops as we age is not fully understood. It
seems the older pituitary gland could produce as much hgh as years gone by
but doesn't.

The level of a natural hgh inhibitor in the body called somatostatin increases
with aging. It was reasoned that this may be the reason for the hgh depletion.

Further trials with rats where somatostatin levels were controlled indicated
the levels of hgh were high as they aged.

Further work is needed and gives hope for the future.

Reginald Block