From: Hal Finney (hal@finney.org)
Date: Sun Nov 24 2002 - 19:18:33 MST
Around here, weekends on AM radio are often used for infomercials.
These have evolved to a common format: a fake interview, with someone
who is supposedly an objective radio host interviewing a guest expert
by telephone. Coincidentally the interview is interrupted repeatedly
for the same products which the guest expert is touting the benefits of.
Sometimes there are call-in questions or testimonials from supposed
listeners who are curious about the product or have had good results
from it. Mostly these shows push health products like vitamins and
supplements.
Often nowadays the interviewer makes a show of being skeptical and
asking questions when the expert presents information which is at odds
with well-known scientific evidence. Of course the expert is able to
make any claims he likes in response to this, there is no way for any
other viewpoint to be heard.
It's all very discouraging. One show I've heard a few times lately is
by someone supposedly named Robert Barefoot who is pushing coral calcium
supplements. Not only will these strengthen your bones, they will cure
cancer! And prevent virtually every disease! Whatever the true value of
this supplement, listening to this show is enough to make you swear off
coral calcium forever. The broadcast is infuriating, full of obviously
false and ludicrously exaggerated claims about this supposed cure-all.
Less often lately I've been hearing the adds for human growth hormone
(HGH) supplements. Sometimes these are pure HGH, sprays for mouth
absorption (most people know that stomach acids destroy proteins like
HGH), or just plain pills for the more gullible. Other times they are
precursors or other kinds of promotors for HGH.
I thought I had read here that the more recent studies of growth hormone
cast serious doubt on its health value as a supplement. Supposedly animal
tests showed that it actually *decreased* lifespan?
Unfortunately I haven't had success using Google; the enormous number
of sites selling and touting HGH is swamping any which have objective
information on the product. Even the Life Extension Foundation, which
has a pretty good reputation, is pushing HGH and didn't say anything
about problems.
For those here who are knowledgeable about supplements, what is your
current opinion about HGH? Anyone here who used to take it but has
now stopped because of the recent results? Or is it still considered
beneficial, overall?
Hal
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