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Thursday, January 24, 2008

Human Growth Hormone is no free ticket to youth

David Mattingly

360 Correspondent

How old do you have to be to worry about looking old? In Beverly Hills, one doctor who specializes in treatments that roll back time tells me he's now getting calls from Hollywood 30-somethings and rap stars seeking injections of human growth hormone (HGH) and illegal steroids.

Everyone knows what steroids did to baseball. Now it seems that performing artists outside of sports are looking for similar ways to enhance performance.

But the Beverly Hills doctor tells me most people don't understand. HGH can help you look and feel better, but you're not going to see results unless you take supplements, eat right and EXERCISE! And HGH can be prescribed legally only to people with an HGH deficiency or with muscles wasted by AIDS.

Program note: Watch David's report tonight on 360 at 10p ET

Posted By CNNBLOG: 1:59 PM ET
8 Comments

It seems the like of 50 cent, Dr. Dre , Timbaland and Mary J. Blige have been linked to HGH use.. Doesnt really bother me, just keep making good music..

Posted By

thisman : 2:19 PM ET

Hi David,

The new "Rambo" movie comes out very soon. I recall Sly Stallone getting arrested in Australia during the filming of that movie for being in possession of HGH. From the trailers I've seen he still looks like a TV "Gladiator" at 60 years of age. If HGH gets results like that for a guy who would otherwise be all washed up without it, it's a safe bet to assume that HGH will be around for a long time to come.

Nick E, Manhattan, NY

Posted By

Nickis : 2:20 PM ET

What good is the fountain of youth if you're dead from complications.
I wonder if people will ever learn.

Lorie Ann, Buellton, Calif.

Posted By

Lorie Ann : 2:36 PM ET

David,

Are we really surprised to hear this? Frankly, I think this is a non-issue. Youth and beauty sells not only in Hollywood, but everywhere else, even, as I am sure you will agree, in news organizations like CNN. Anchors, reporters, and even commentators seem to be getting younger all the time, sometimes at the cost of quality. It is more obvious among the women than the men. I am sure that some of your colleagues have had "something" done at one time or another

Steroids may help people in the arts look younger, but unless it involves some type of strenuous physical activity like dance, I doubt they enhance performance.

No matter how many growth hormones or steroids someone takes it always boils down to diet and exercise. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with trying to look a little better, I think we all are guilty of that. Unfortunately, this is a youth based society that demands immediate gratification no matter what the risks are to someone's future health.

Jo Ann
North Royalton, Ohio

Posted By

Jo Ann : 2:58 PM ET

People are obsessed with physical youth and beauty in our culture. If they took the time to get to know themselves and the people they love, they would see the true beauty of the human soul.

Posted By

Joseph Kowalski, North Huntingdon, PA : 3:48 PM ET

The Beautiful People....lol.

welcome to Los Angeles, land of the plastic people.

Los Angeles is very vain because everyone seems to want to be on TV.
They don't care that messing with nature is bad for them, just as long as they look good doing it.

I'm 5'8 1/2" and a size 4 and I was asked to drop 20 pounds for modeling....I walked, my health is more important than that.

You have to put your health first over vanity or it WILL bite you in the end.

Aging is part of life...get over it.

I'm in my early 30's and I have slight Laugh lines and some gray hair; it's all part of it. Personally it adds character to a person.

I think it shows that as a society we are obsessed with perfection of exterior.

What message are we sending our children? Do what ever it takes to look good and forget your health?

There is a reason nature took this away and I think adding it back in unnaturally is dangerous. Look at what happenned with estrogen replacement...now we know it is more damaging than beneficial. We still have to wait on the data from this one.

They are finally getting ready to slap labels on Pharma-drugs because of all the diseases and additional complications they cause....Bandage over the problem not a cure.

If you take care of yourself and eat healthy, take supplements, and exercise, you will Just grow old gracefully; don't take extreme measures to artificially extend youth; It's like trying to build sandcastles in the high tide zone, soon it will get washed away and slump anyway.

Posted By

Sabrina in Los Angeles : 4:15 PM ET

David,
I think the stars that do HGH are crazy. Even though you stay younger looking it is really harming your body. So I guess they are saying that they would rather look good for a little while and die sooner! Real bright!

I hate that young kids look up to these people and will think that this is OK. Because it is not.

But really what can you do? If they want to kill themselves with this mess it's their choice.

Cynthia, Covington, Ga.

Posted By

Cindy : 5:18 PM ET

I started to dye my hair at 32 because I didn't like the fact that I was graying so young. There is a double standard for aging. My friend started to gray in his early '30's, is more salt than pepper at 40, and he looks distinguished. His hair is beautiful. I decided a couple of months ago to let the dye grow out just to see what would happen since I haven't gone without color in 7 years. I am almost totally white now when I don't color. I look like an old granny hair color-wise. I looked in the mirror and thought, hag (and not in a good way). It's all about self-image. I will color and Botox and nip and tuck and bond and cap my teeth if needed to feel good about myself physically. I'll live on Weight Watchers (because it keeps the Type II Diabetes at bay). I'll walk every day because that too keeps the diabetes at bay (my mom died from complications of Type I at 53, and I don't want to end up with her health problems and early death). Diet and exercise are also great to help slow down aging. But as long as the cosmetics and medical industries can safely help me stay young, I proudly admit I'm a vain woman, I'll do what it takes to fight off aging as long as possible, and no one is going to guilt me about it. Besides that, I want to adopt a baby after 40, and really, what kid needs a mommy who looks like his grandma going to t-ball games?

Posted By

Tammy, Berwick, LA : 7:47 PM ET

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