growthhormone.jpg Huge muscles and a masculine body; a product of human growth hormone. But, will it make you faster, stronger and a better athlete? Don’t be so sure. An analysis of more than two dozen studies of human growth hormone concludes that drug-induced muscles may look impressive, but they don’t perform better. In fact, treatment may even cause impairment. “What we found suggested that it didn’t help-and at some point, it might hurt,” said lead investigator Hau Liu, formerly of Stanford and now at San Jose’s Valley Medical Center. The study was published in Monday’s issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. There are several large caveats: The studies analyzed by Stanford used doses that are probably far smaller than those taken by athletes. They weren’t taken as long. They were not part of real-world doping regimens, which typically include steroids, insulin and other agents. Additionally, the Stanford study did not address whether human growth hormone accelerates athletes’ recovery from injury, an oft-cited reason for use.

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