Human growth hormone has become an increasingly popular anti-aging supplement that has been shown to lower the risk of heart disease, sexual problems, and other health conditions. But a recent report by the Wall Street Journal suggests new concerns are being raised by some scientific studies about potential cancer risks tied to HGH.
 

But Dr. Erika Schwartz, a leading advocate of disease prevention and wellness, tells "The Steve Malzberg Show" on Newsmax TV that the Journal report misrepresents the findings of the latest research on HGH and argues that it failed to reflect the broader scientific consensus about the benefits of hormone therapy — which many studies show is safe and beneficial when prescribed by an experienced physician.
 

"It's very disappointing, first of all, to see the Wall Street Journal being that uncaring and really not doing their homework, because I think the editors should never have allowed this article to come out," says Dr. Schwartz author of "The Hormone Solution" and Dr. Erika's Healthy Balance newsletter. 

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Dr. Schwartz noted the Food and Drug Administration has approved growth hormone for people with HGH deficiencies. The problem is when individuals try to administer the drugs themselves or work with doctors who may be inexperienced or unethical in their practices.

 

She also takes issue with the Journal reporter's interpretation of the findings of research at the University of Southern California that found that people ages 50 to 65 who show higher levels of IGF-1, a chemical associated with HGH use, have an increased risk of cancer and overall mortality.

 

"What that study actually showed was that people between the ages of 50 and 65 who ate more protein — who had more protein in their diet — had almost a 75 percent increased rate of cancer and mortality … it had nothing to do with growth hormone levels, " she says. "Growth hormone, given in the right dose at the right time of life, is protective."

 

Growth hormone, which helps stimulate cell growth and division, is typically given to children and teens with low natural supplies to increase their growth. But older individuals are also taking it to boost their heart healthy, improve the appearance of skin, increase muscle tone, and improve libido.
 

Levels of HGH, like other hormones such as testosterone and estrogen, fall as people age. Dr. Schwartz, among other well-ness specialists, argues that replacing them with bio-identical hormones is important to maintain health and vitality as we grow older.

"The thing is, you want a doctor who knows what they're doing, who has experience, who cares about you. You don't want a doctor who's just there to make money off of you," Dr. Schwartz notes.

"You want a doctor who cares, and you also want a doctor who has experience, who knows how to read the studies, who also is giving it to you because you need it. I mean, if you have a growth hormone deficiency syndrome, which many of us do, a low dose of growth hormone actually protects you from heart disease, improves your mood, helps you build muscle, not to mention libido. It helps that, too."