Natural Aging Defenses

(Ivanhoe Broadcast News) -- Human growth hormone is a natural substance in the body that decreases substantially as people age. With lower levels, you often see fatigue, sagging skin, decreased memory, decreased muscle mass, and other changes typically associated with aging. Two doctors now offer tips on how to boost the quality and quantity of your life.

Today, the average life expectancy is pushing 80 years. With more years to live, people are exploring ways to add more life to their years. Karlis Ullis, M.D., medical director at Sports Medicine and Anti-Aging Medical Group in Santa Monica, Calif., says raising your human growth hormone levels could help. "When you put somebody on a growth hormone that's really deficient, their heart will work better, their muscles will work better, their memory will work better, their sleep will be better, and their mood will be better."

But prescription HGH -- a popular new trend -- is not without risk. Instead, Dr. Ullis urges people to boost their body's own levels. First, get quality deep sleep. "I really think if people are tired, take a nap. You might get some growth hormone release," Dr. Ullis says. Restricting calories, working out intensely, and reducing carbs will also boost HGH.

Samuel Epstein, M.D., a cancer prevention physician at the University of Illinois in Chicago, agrees that lifestyle changes, like natural HGH boosts, could improve life quality. He says one of them might even extend life. "If you want to increase your life span, I would put caloric restriction highest on the list."

He also says avoid high-fat meat and consider a toast. "We have some very important evidence that red wine and grapes contain a particular group of chemicals known as polyphenols, which are strongly associated with longevity," Dr. Epstein says.

Whether it's a workout, some quality Zs or a handful of hope, it's best to find a natural life-booster that works for you.

You know all those e-mails you get from vendors touting the effects of natural human growth hormone supplements? Both doctors say those Internet products are a waste of money and none of them contain a significant amount of human growth hormone. Real HGH must be prescribed by a doctor and is injected, though both doctors say prescription HGH should only be used when a person is clinically deficient.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Karlis Ullis, M.D.
Sports Medicine and Anti-Aging Medical Group
Santa Monica, CA
kullis@ucla.edu
http://www.agingprevent.com
http://www.hormonerevolution.com