Medical Question to a Doctor regarding Supplements.

Former Member
Former Member
When competing last week in Hawaii, I read in the Honolulu Star Bulletin newspaper from Saturday May 18, in page A5, an advertisement promoting a product stimulating the release of the Human Growth Hormone by the body. I read in it: "Practically EVERYONE over the age of 40 has a Growth Hormone deficiency.". I am age 43, and even though I trained more than ever for the past year, I swam slower in Hawaii in 100 free and 200 free than I did last year, which was slower than in 1998, which was slower than in 1996, which was slower than in 1994 when I peaked in yards competitions. Because of this, I kept reading: by taking the product advertised in the newspaper "In the FIRST MONTH: You should expect: Improved stamina;...". My question for a Medical Doctor familiar with competitions, regards one specific side effect of such a product, not approved by FDA. I remember reading in the Swimming World magazine in mid-90s, when Chinese Olympic swimmers were being caught on illegal products, that a possible side effect of Human Growth Hormone stimulants given to adults, was an increase of extremities like nose, hands, ears and forehead. A picture of the swimmer Massimiliano Rosolino (Ita.) who in the 2000SydneyOlympics won gold, silver and bronze medals, picture published in 2000 in www.nbcolympics.com, semmed to me to show the increase of the nose. www.nbcolympics.com didn't mean to imply anything like this, this is my interpretation of Rosolino's face. It is publicly documented now, that Rosolino took Human Growth Hormone stimulants before the Olympics. My question is: The product advertised in Honolulu Star Bulletin as being a Human Growth Hormone stimulant, does increase the nose? If so, what safer supplements achieve "...improved stamina..."? San Francisco Chronicle did mention once before the 2000Olympics, two Olympians who were achieving with legal supplements the outcome of illegal products.
Parents
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Ion, I checked out the conversion table that Jim supplied. Remember he said it may not be the most accurate. Exactly. I noticed after a few sample extrapolations that the converter automatically assumes your fastest times are at the age of 19. We know that at least on the men's side, your fastest swimming can be performed anywhere from 16 to 30+. Take it with a grain of salt. It was fun to check out once or twice, but certainly don't bind youself to what you saw. The guys on my masters team that compete wipe their slate clean each season and try to better their times as they progress from meet #1 to zones or nationals. If they happen to beat their ACTUAL best time, that's great, but they are more than satisfied with a season best. As you get older that is what will happen. In order to enjoy the sport, you can't get too hung up on trying to perform like you could 10 years ago. -Rain Man
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  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Ion, I checked out the conversion table that Jim supplied. Remember he said it may not be the most accurate. Exactly. I noticed after a few sample extrapolations that the converter automatically assumes your fastest times are at the age of 19. We know that at least on the men's side, your fastest swimming can be performed anywhere from 16 to 30+. Take it with a grain of salt. It was fun to check out once or twice, but certainly don't bind youself to what you saw. The guys on my masters team that compete wipe their slate clean each season and try to better their times as they progress from meet #1 to zones or nationals. If they happen to beat their ACTUAL best time, that's great, but they are more than satisfied with a season best. As you get older that is what will happen. In order to enjoy the sport, you can't get too hung up on trying to perform like you could 10 years ago. -Rain Man
Children
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