The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7254 p855
21 June 2003

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British Journal of Sports Medicine abstract (more)

"Anti-ageing" hormone harmful

A hormone marketed as an anti-ageing supplement could be harmful if taken long term, say American researchers.

In a study of eight men who took a daily dose of 200mg androstenedione for four weeks, androstenedione levels increased after the supplement had been taken on the first day. However, after a month, levels dropped by 60 per cent. The supplement did not raise testosterone levels but did seem to interfere with innate hormonal balance, say the researchers (British Journal of Sports Medicine 2003;37:212).