Body Changes with Aging and GH Replacement as Antiaging Therapy

Kim, Sung Woon

Abstract

Aging is a very natural and mandatory process of human life. Aging processes mean physical and psychological declining as well. These declines include hormonal deficiencies compared with in one's young adult life. From an academic point of view, aging originates from the shortening of the telomere length, attacking oxidative radicals and accumulations of toxic materials. Antiaging treatment stems from the following concept: 'aging is a kind of disease, not a natural process, so we can handle it for a better and longer life: Growth hormone (GH) is the firstline treatment of aging, because the GH secretion declines by 14%/decades through the adult life, leading to a functional GH deficiency in the elderly. It may increase the fat mass inside the abdomen and decrease the bone mass. It may also involve other negative changes in the body composition. Recently, many studies showed that GH replacement therapy may restore negative changes in the body composition from aging. We predict the human being's life span will reach up to 100 years in this century. Until about 80 years of age, one can maintain his or her life with the inborn health; however, after that age, medical modifications should be needed for restoring their well beings.