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Jeffrey Dach, M.D. NewsLetter
Dr. Andrew Weil, AARP,
and Human Growth Hormone, HGH
by Jeffrey Dach MD
__________________________________________
Dear Friend or Colleague
Dr. Andrew Weil Says Human Growth Hormone is “Snake Oil”
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.
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)
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)
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)
Dr. 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)
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.
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. 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.
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.
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)
Did you find this newsletter interesting?
Feel free to email this to a friend with the button on the bar at the bottom of the page.
Regards,
Jeffrey Dach, M.D.
BLOG
TrueMedMD
4700 Sheridan, Suite T.
Hollywood Florida, 33021
954 983 1443
References
(1) Dr. Debunker, The Truth About the Fountain of Youth, By Andrew Weil, M.D., May & June 2007, AARP Magazine
How to live a healthy, vigorous—and long—life. No gimmicks
(1A) Volume 349:535-545 August 7, 2003 Number 6. Hormone Therapy and the Progression of Coronary-Artery Atherosclerosis in Postmenopausal Women. Howard N. Hodis, M.D., Wendy J. Mack, Ph.D., Women's Estrogen–Progestin Lipid-Lowering Hormone Atherosclerosis Regression Trial Research Group
(2) A diagnosis of low testosterone helped Micheel turn around his life. "I wasn't myself," he says. By Tom Callahan Golf Digest August 2006
(3) Low Serum Testosterone and Mortality in Male Veterans Molly M. Shores, MD; Alvin M. Matsumoto, MD; Kevin L. Sloan, MD; Daniel R. Kivlahan, PhD Arch Intern Med. 2006;166:1660-1665.
(4) Low Testosterone Levels Linked to Increased Mortality By Jeffrey Perkel HealthDay Reporter
(5) Jeffrey Dach MD, Blog site.
(6) Growth Hormone Patent
(7) FDA New Drug Development Process:Steps from Test Tube to New Drug Application Review
(8) USA TODAY: FDA approves growth hormone
WASHINGTON (AP)
(9) Growth Hormone - Hormone Replacement for the Somatopause? Richard Savine, Peter Sönksen Department of Medicine, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK, Growth Hormone Research, Vol. 53, Suppl. 3, 2000
(10) NEJM, Volume 323:1-6 July 5, 1990 Number 1. Effects of human growth hormone in men over 60 years old. D Rudman, AG Feller, HS Nagraj, GA Gergans, PY Lalitha, AF Goldberg, RA Schlenker, L Cohn, IW Rudman
(11)
NEJM, Volume 323:1-6 July 5, 1990 Number 1. Effects of human growth hormone in men over 60 years old. D Rudman, AG Feller, HS Nagraj, GA Gergans, PY Lalitha, AF Goldberg, RA Schlenker, L Cohn, IW Rudman
(12) Published Research on Human Growth Hormone, California Healthspan Institute Ron Rothenberg MD
(13) Ann Surg. 1994 July; 220(1): 19–24. Recombinant human growth hormone accelerates wound healing in children with large cutaneous burns.
D A Gilpin, R E Barrow, R L Rutan, L Broemeling, and D N Herndon
Shriners Burns Institute, Galveston, Texas.
(14) Ann Surg. 2006 June; 243(6): 796–803.
Beneficial Effects of Extended Growth Hormone Treatment After Hospital Discharge in Pediatric Burn Patients. Rene Przkora, MD, PhD, David N. Herndon, MD, Oscar E. Suman, PhD, Marc G. Jeschke, MD, PhD, Walter J. Meyer, MD, David L. Chinkes, PhD, Ronald P. Mlcak, PhD, Ted Huang, MD, and Robert E. Barrow, PhD
(15) Ann Surg. 1988 July; 208(1): 6–16. Metabolic effects of recombinant human growth hormone in patients receiving parenteral nutrition.
T R Ziegler, L S Young, J M Manson, and D W Wilmore
Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
(16) J Physiol. 2004 February 15; 555(Pt 1): 231–240.The effect of recombinant human growth hormone and resistance training on IGF-I mRNA expression in the muscles of elderly men M Hameed, K H W Lange, J L Andersen, P Schjerling, M Kjaer, S D R Harridge, and G Goldspink
(17) Ann Surg. 2005 November; 242(5): 655–661. Growth Hormone, Glutamine, and an Optimal Diet Reduces Parenteral Nutrition in Patients With Short Bowel Syndrome A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial. Theresa A. Byrne, DSc, Douglas W. Wilmore, MD, Kishore Iyer, MD, John Dibaise, MD, Kerri Clancy, RN, Malcolm K. Robinson, MD, Peter Chang, PhD, Joseph M. Gertner, MB, BChir, and David Lautz, MD. From the Laboratories for Surgical Metabolism and Nutrition, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Nutritional Restart Center, Hopkinton, MA; ‡Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE; and Serono, Inc., Rockland, MA.
(18) Gut. 2003 June; 52(6): 914. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and hepatic steatosis in patients with adult onset growth hormone deficiency
T Ichikawa,1 K Hamasaki,1 H Ishikawa,1 E Ejima,1 K Eguchi,1 and K Nakao2 1First Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Nagasaki, Japan 2Health Research Center, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
(19) Ann Surg. 1999 February; 229(2): 298–302.
Perioperative growth hormone treatment and functional outcome after major abdominal surgery: a randomized, double-blind, controlled study. P Kissmeyer-Nielsen, M B Jensen, and S Laurberg
Department of Surgery L, Amtssygehuset, University Hospital of Aarhus, Denmark.
(20) J Burns Wounds. 2005; 4: e2. The Role of Anabolic Hormones for Wound Healing in Catabolic States. Robert H. Demling, MD Burn Center, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
(21) BMJ. 1991 March 23; 302(6778): 725–726. Cardiac cachexia. P H Sönksen, F Salomon, R Cuneo, M Umpleby, and S Bowes
(22) J Clin Invest. 1997 January 1; 99(1): 97–105. Effects of recombinant human growth hormone on muscle protein turnover in malnourished hemodialysis patients.G Garibotto, A Barreca, R Russo, A Sofia, P Araghi, A Cesarone, M Malaspina, F Fiorini, F Minuto, and A Tizianello
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy.
(23) Ann Surg. 1988 July; 208(1): 6–16. Metabolic effects of recombinant human growth hormone in patients receiving parenteral nutrition.T R Ziegler, L S Young, J M Manson, and D W Wilmore. Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
(24) BMJ. 2001 January 27; 322(7280): 203. 2001, BMJ Science commentary Insulin-like growth factor and cognitive function Abi Berger, science editor
BMJ
(25) Growth Horm IGF Res. 2000 Apr;10 Suppl B:S69-73.Growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor I and cognitive function in adults.van Dam PS, Aleman A, de Vries WR, Deijen JB, van der Veen EA, de Haan EH, Koppeschaar HP.Department of Clinical Endocrinology, Rudolf Magnus Institute for Neurosciences, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
(26) Eur J Pharmacol. 2004 Apr 19;490(1-3):87-95. Insulin-like growth factor-I, cognition and brain aging.van Dam PS, Aleman A.Department of Internal medicine, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, PO Box 95500, 1090 HM Amsterdam, The Netherlands. p.s.vandam@olvg.nl
(27) Semin Vasc Med. 2004 May;4(2):167-72.The role of the somatotropic system in cognition and other cerebral functions.Creyghton WM, van Dam PS, Koppeschaar HP. Department of Clinical Endocrinology, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
(28) The Doctor's Biography Ron Rothenberg, MD, FACEP , Board Certified American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine
(29) Short clips Dr. Rothenberg surfing at a “secret spot” south of the border.
(30) Adult Growth Hormone Therapy - Clinical Perspectives. Quality of Life Improves with GH Therapy By Ron Rothenberg, MD
(31) Jeffrey Dach MD Web Site Human Growth Hormone Page
(32) Doctors Directory American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine A4M
(33) Jeffrey Dach MD Web Site Human Growth Hormone Page
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References Repeated
(1) http://www.aarpmagazine.org/health/debunker_fountain_of_youth.html
(1A)
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/349/6/535
(2) http://www.golfdigest.com/features/index.ssf?/features/gd200608callahan.html
(3) http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/166/15/1660
(4) http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=81592
(5) http://jeffreydach.com/
(6) http://www.google.com/patents?id=ylEoAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&dq=human+growth+hormone
(7)http://www.fda.gov/cder/handbook/develop.htm
(8) http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-05-31-growth-drug_x.htm
(9) http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Aktion=ShowAbstract&ArtikelNr=23531&Ausgabe=225980&ProduktNr=224036
(10) http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/323/1/1
(11) http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/323/1/1
(12) http://ehealthspan.com/references/index.html
(13)
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/pagerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1234282&pageindex=1
(14)
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1479605
(15) http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1493563
(16)
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1664832
(17)
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1409868
(18)
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1773673
(19)
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1191645
(20)
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1501119&rendertype=abstract
(21)
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/pagerender.fcgi?artid=1669103&pageindex=1
(22)
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=507772
(23) http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1493563
(24) http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1119467
(25)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=10984257
(26)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=15094076&query_hl=8&itool=pubmed_docsum
(27)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=15478038&query_hl=8&itool=pubmed_docsum
(28) http://ehealthspan.com/treatment/bios.html
(29) http://ehealthspan.com/treatment/surf.html
(30) http://ehealthspan.com/treatment/gh-therapy.html
(31) http://www.drdach.com/wst_page16.html
(32) http://www.worldhealth.net/p/directory-detail;catalogdirectory,6238.html
(33) http://www.drdach.com/wst_page16.html
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Jeffrey Dach, M.D. TrueMedMD
Catalog of NewsLetters
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(1)
My Vitamins Are Killing Me by Jeffrey Dach MD !!!
(2)
Stroke Prevention and Vitamin C by Jeffrey Dach MD
(3)
Testosterone Risks and Benefits by Jeffrey Dach MD
(4)
Medical School Days and SSRI Research by Jeffrey Dach MD
(5)
Iodine and Breast Cancer Prevention by Jeffrey Dach MD
(6)
Hypothyroidism Part One by Jeffrey Dach MD
(7)
Hypothyroidism Part Two Thryroflex by Jeffrey Dach MD
(8)
Guard Your Daughter from Gardisil, Virginia Tech Rampage Seung-Hui Cho by Jeffrey Dach MD
(9) Orthomolecular Medicine Meeting in Toronto 2007 by Jeffrey Dach MD
(10) B12 Deficiency by Jeffrey Dach MD
(11) Rachel Carson and Silent Spring by Jeffrey Dach MD
(12) Vitamin D Deficiency by Jeffrey Dach MD
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Catalog of Articles Published on Hank Barnes World,
You Bet Your Life, by Jeffrey Dach MD
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(1)
Lipitor and "The Dracula of Modern Technology" by Jeffrey Dach MD
(2)
Osteoporosis, Bisphosphonate Drugs and Toulouse Lautrec by Jeffrey Dach MD
(3)
Prozac, Paxil and SSRI Drugs - Part One by Jeffrey Dach MD
(4)
Prozac, Paxil and SSRI Drugs - Part Two by Jeffrey Dach MD
(5)
Max Essex and Virological Failure in the NEJM by Jeffrey Dach MD
(6)
The Origins of HIV by Jeffrey Dach MD
A Medical Article that I Published in 1980:
(7)
Dach J, Patel N, Patel S, Petasnick J. Peritoneal mesothelioma: CT, sonography, and gallium-67 scan. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1980 Sep;135(3):614
Jeffrey Dach, M.D.
Member of the Board of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine
Board Certified by the American Board of Radiology
4700 Sheridan, Suite T
Hollywood Fl 33021
office phone 954-983-1443
_______________________________________________________________
Don't forget to visit
my web site for more information, and we you might like to attend one of our free seminars on Wednesday Nights. Please call for reservations for the seminar, though.
Do you have a testimonial, or a question for the newsletter? Send it in via email reply.
Sincerely Yours
Jeffrey Dach, M.D.
4700 Sheridan Suite T.
Hollywood, Fl 33021
954-983-1443
_______________________________________________________________
Dr. Dach is Board Certified by the American Board of Radiology and a
member of the Board of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. He has 25 years experience in the Memorial Hospital System as an interventional radiologist. His current practice focuses on Bio-identical hormone supplementation for men and women, menopause, andropause, HGH, testosterone, natural thyroid and the use of natural substances rather than drugs in the appropriate setting.
Conflict of Interest Disclaimer: We receive no money from the pharmaceutical industry or from the NIH. We do not sell any products to the public at large. We do however, make available selected nutritional supplements to our office clients at a small markup to cover our costs.
If this email is sent to you in error, please accept our apology, and simply remove your email from the list with the unsubscribe button on the bar below this text. Sorry for the inconvenience.
(c) 2007 all right reserved Jeffrey Dach MD
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