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An Overview of Dietary Supplements

Introduction A dietary supplement (also see nutraceutical) is a manufactured product intended to supplement a person’s diet by taking a pill, capsule, tablet, powder, or liquid. A supplement can provide nutrients either extracted from food sources, or that are synthetic (in order to increase the quantity of their consumption). The classes of nutrient compounds in… Read More

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An Overview of Human Growth Hormone Controversies

Introduction Controversies regarding the use of human growth hormone (HGH) as treatment method have centred on the claims, products, and businesses related to the use of GH as an anti-ageing therapy. Most of these controversies fall into two categories: Brief History A study was published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) by Rudman… Read More

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An Overview of Performance-Enhancing Substances

Introduction Performance-enhancing substances (PESs), also known as performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), are substances that are used to improve any form of activity performance in humans. Many substances, such as anabolic steroids, can be used to improve athletic performance and build muscle, which in most cases is considered cheating by organised athletic organisations. This usage is often… Read More

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What is the Biogenesis Scandal?

Introduction The Biogenesis scandal broke in 2013 when several Major League Baseball (MLB) players were accused of obtaining performance-enhancing drugs (“PEDs”), specifically human growth hormone, from the now-defunct rejuvenation clinic Biogenesis of America. After an ex-employee, annoyed over missing back-pay, revealed clinic records that were “clear in describing the firm’s real business: selling performance-enhancing drugs”,… Read More

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An Overview of Growth Hormone in Sports

Introduction Growth hormones in sports refers to the use of growth hormones (GH or HGH) for athletic enhancement, as opposed to growth hormone treatment for medical therapy. Human Growth Hormone is a prescription medication in the US, meaning that its distribution and use without a prescription is illegal. There is limited evidence that GH doping… Read More

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An Overview of Growth Hormone

Introduction Growth hormone (GH) or somatotropin, also known as human growth hormone (hGH or HGH) in its human form, is a peptide hormone that stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and cell regeneration in humans and other animals. It is thus important in human development. GH also stimulates production of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and increases… Read More