title: The use of anti-aging hormones. Melatonin, growth hormone, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone: consumer enthusiasm for unproven therapies.
abstract: Since ancient times, humans have been concerned with developing and preserving youthful vigor. Today, there is enough understanding of the aging process to attempt to delay it. This review considers four popular and easily obtainable anti-aging hormones: melatonin, growth hormone, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Many of the benefits of using these hormones, which are promoted in the lay literature, are based on animal studies and weak associations. This review critically examines the scientific literature. At this time, there is insufficient evidence to recommend these hormones as therapies for aging, and there are potential risks from their use. The information provided here will help physicians discuss the use of these hormones with inquiring patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Shomali
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D008550:Melatonin