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Growth Hormone

Level 4 — Significant concernsIn Winter's Dictionary

Growth Hormone is a veterinary drug — Hormone that stimulates growth and cell reproduction

Also: GH, HGH, Human Growth Hormone, Somatotrophin

What it does

Hormone that stimulates growth and cell reproduction

Where you'll see it

Cattle, chickens, turkeys (some uses banned in EU)

What the research says

Therapy can lead to fluid retention, swelling, joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes symptoms. Some evidence HGH can cause cancer in lab rats. Patients with acromegaly are at higher risk for certain cancers.

Sources

  • A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): there's some evidence that HGH can cause cancer in lab rats