In a recent Time Magazine interview Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) himself has admitted to using steroids to bulk up for (what will probably be the last installment) next Rambo movie. Stallone, now 61, goes on to say that over 40 year olds need to consider the use of HGH. The reason to start using HGH: to increase the level of testosterone in the body and improve the quality of life.

Really, you didn't have to be a genius to know Stallone used steroids to build and maintain his muscle. Why all the shock horror reactions from the media? Anyone who saw the last Rocky movie would have realised very quickly that for someone pushing his 60's - he looked pretty amazing. No doubt Stallone works bloody hard on his body, but with a little help to replace a dwindling supply of naturally created hormones.

Any one who watched the Australian news in late 2007 will recall that Stallone was fined almost $3000 in a Sydney court for bringing banned hormones into Australia. Stallone pleaded guilty for bringing in the growth hormone and testosterone into the country.

Stallone predicts in ten years you will be able to buy testosterone over the counter. Before considering the use of steroids or HGH you really need to consider the consequences and under what conditions they are taken.

So what is HGH? Here is an extract form a website which gives a good overview of HGH and the perceived benefits:

“HGH (Human Growth Hormone) is believed to be the controlling hormone of many functions and benefits associated with youth, such as vitality, smooth skin, energy and resilience. HGH is naturally produced in the pituitary gland of the brain.

As people move past age 30, natural levels of HGH drop off dramatically, about 14% per decade. Lower levels of HGH are associated with the aging process. As HGH levels continue to drop, the aging process

accelerates. Research indicates that by increasing the natural amount of HGH in the system, the body may be able to reverse some symptoms associated with aging, like weight gain, loss of lean muscle, wrinkles, bone density, sexual drive and more. Although it is not clinically proven, HGH is sometimes referred to as the fountain of youth hormone.” (source: www.wisegeek.com/what-is-hgh.htm, last accessed 27/01/08).

On the apposing team here is an extract from BBC Sport website on the negatives:

“Excess HGH in the body can cause acromegaly, a disease where the hands become spade-like in appearance as they get bigger. Growth of the facial bones causes the face to change shape too.

The jaw becomes larger, with spaces appearing between the teeth because of this, and the eyebrows become more prominent. The tongue enlarges and the skin becomes coarse and oily.

Organs like the heart, liver and kidneys will also undergo excessive growth, leading to potentially life-threatening problems - one of which is cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle.

The heart loses its ability to pump blood and, in some instances, heart rhythm is disturbed, leading to irregular heartbeats

There is also an increased risk of cancers due to the abnormal growth of cells”

(Source: Human growth hormone explained, by Tom Fordyce, http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/front_page/3101343.stm, last accessed 27/01/08)

The article ‘Stop – Don’t use steroids for body building’, by Gerry Marsh, provides an overview of the side effects of steroid use.

http://www.over40muscle.com/articles/1490/1/Stop---Don039t-Use-Steroids-For-Body-Building/Page1.html

Certainly as we get older our ability to produce growth hormone diminishes. Is this a reason to consider using HGH? I take exception of the statement that as soon as you hit 40 your need to supplement your bodies own testosterone production.

The article ‘Stop – Don’t use steroids for body building’, by Gerry Marsh, provides an overview of the side effects of steroid use.

http://www.over40muscle.com/articles/1490/1/Stop---Don039t-Use-Steroids-For-Body-Building/Page1.html

You decide?