Swedish researchers have discovered that growth hormone treatment may result in the reduction of multiple metabolic disorders associated with abdominal obesity in postmenopausal women. Appearing in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, these findings demonstrate the important role growth hormone treatment may play in reducing serious conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Growth hormone is known for its importance in the growth of a child, but it also has powerful metabolic effects in adults. A previous trial of growth hormone treatment in men with abdominal obesity demonstrated reduction in abdominal fat mass and beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and lipids. Many postmenopausal women experience a natural increase in obesity, particularly an increase of intra-abdominal fat (fat that is stored in and around the internal organs).
A research team headed by Dr. Gudmundur Johannsson investigated the effect of growth hormone treatment for one year on insulin sensitivity in postmenopausal. They also studied the effects of the hormone on abdominal fat, hepatic fat content and size of the thigh muscle area. The team found that growth hormone treatment in postmenopausal women significantly reduced their intra-abdominal fat, increased thigh muscle area, reduced cholesterol concentration and improved insulin sensitivity.
"Previous research has shown that obesity is linked to metabolic syndrome, which has several known risk factors including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, increased levels of fasting glucose and an increase in waist circumference. The results of our study suggest that growth hormone treatment has a favorable effect on multiple metabolic disorders associated with abdominal obesity in postmenopausal women," explained Johansson.
