For the past 20 years longevity physicians have been prescribing bio-identical hormone replacement therapy in an attempt to delay the effects of biological aging. Everything degenerates as we get older. When the degeneration occurs in our critical endocrine organs, the levels of our hormones diminish. A decrease in the production of hormones begins in middle age and continues in a linear fashion until old age. As the levels of hormones decline, so do we decline both physically and mentally. Replacing all the deficient hormones - thyroid, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, DHEA and growth hormone- to levels that we had in our youth has been touted by anti-aging physicians to be beneficial to both our health and quality of life. It is touted to strengthen and bolster our bodies as well as our minds. Hormone replacement is recommended to change the precipitous decline after middle age into a gradual transition that will be less noticeable.

There are thousands of studies on hormone treatment for adults. The vast majority are for true deficiencies such as hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, menopause and adult growth hormone deficiency. Relatively few studies have evaluated the effects of replacement in healthy adults for the purpose of anti-aging. I am not aware of any studies that have evaluated the simultaneous restoration of all hormones to youthful levels. There have been small 6 month studies revealing improvements from growth hormone alone. Rudman et al found a 8.8 % increases in lean body mass, 14.4 % decrease in adipose mass, 1.6 % increase in lumbar vertebral bone density and a 7.1 % increase in skin thickness in 12 healthy elderly men who initially had low normal growth hormone levels. There have been 6 month studies with sex hormones plus growth hormone showing decreased fat mass, and increased LBM.  There have been several studies for replenishing thyroid hormones for patients with normal thyroid hormone levels demonstrating benefit. There have been relatively few studies on bio-identical estrogen and progesterone replacement (as opposed to synthetic) for menopausal women. The natural hormone studies have shown benefit while the large synthetic Prempro studies have raised concerns that risks may outweigh the benefits.  “Bio-identical” refers to the hormone being an exact replica of the hormone your body naturally produces. Since the hormones were meant to work in synergy, the optimal results would be expected when all hormones are replaced.

A review of the touted biological effects for anti-aging of each hormone should help you understand why all hormones should be restored to optimal levels.  The benefits listed are essentially the biologic function of each of the hormones. Their effects are clearly demonstrated in the literature.  The theory is that as the levels of these hormones drop, despite being in the normal range for ones age, their function gets performed to a progressively lower extent. When the hormones are restored to their youthful levels they can restore biological function back to their youthful levels.  Unfortunately the more deterioration that has occurred of the target organs the less youthful the restoration if the target organ deterioration is irreversible.  Bio-identical HRT is thus more of a preventive measure of further irreversible deterioration. Natural Growth Hormone production is stimulated with GH releasing hormones.

 Benefits of Vitamin D Supplementation

Protects against bone diseases, muscle weakness, cancers and autoimmune diseases.

Benefits of Testosterone Replacement

Increase in bone density, bone formation and bone minerals, increase in energy, improvement in sexual function, decrease in body fat, increase in HDL and decrease in LDL levels, decrease in heart disease, improved brain function, learning and memory, improved blood glucose levels, decreased blood pressure, increase in sexual desire, increase in both muscle strength and in the diameter of muscle fibers, enhancement of skin and hair texture

Benefits of Estrogen Replacement

Protects against heart disease and stroke, decreases cholesterol, prevents or lowers incidence of Alzheimer*s disease, improves memory, decreases symptoms of menopause, prevents osteoporosis by slowing down the process, improves vaginal dryness & eliminates bladder problems

Benefits of Progesterone Replacement

Precursor to the sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone), maintains lining of uterus, promotes the survival of the embryo and fetus throughout gestation, protects against fibrocystic breasts, natural diuretic, acts as a natural antidepressant, aids thyroid hormone action, normalizes blood clotting, helps keep blood sugar levels normal, protects against endometrial cancer, helps protect against breast cancer, promotes bone building and protects against osteoporosis

Benefits of DHEA Replacement

Improves function of the immune system, improves brain function, hinders the damage that stress can cause, increases energy, reduces body fat and cholesterol, thereby preventing heart disease, increases insulin sensitivity, potent antioxidant by preventing formation of free radicals, improves mood, cognitive enhancement

Benefits of Increasing Human Growth Hormone

Decreases the percent of body fat while increasing lean muscle mass by stimulating the body*s ability to increase protein synthesis, increase bone mass, reversing damage that leads to osteoporosis, reverse the degeneration of neurological functions, improve cardiac function, improve skin tone, thickness, and elasticity, improve pulmonary functions, improve the functioning of the immune system, improve kidney function, improve exercise and aerobic capacity and endurance, help wounds heal faster, improve cartilage synthesis for stronger joints, reverse the normal, age-related shrinkage of organs, decrease levels of LDL and VLDL cholesterol, rejuvenate sex drive

Benefits of Pregnenolone Supplementation

Promotes nerve regeneration, decreases symptoms of arthritis, reduces the signs of aging skin (when applied in cream form), enhances memory, improves sense of well-being, increases energy, increases mobility, improves sleep quality, reduces the harmful effects of stress

Benefits of Melatonin Supplementation

Powerful antioxidant effects, potential benefit in preventing and treating cancer, immune enhancing properties, promote better sleep, avoid jet lag, biologic regulation of circadian rhythms

Benefits of Thyroid Hormone Supplementation

Lowers LDL cholesterol, improves metabolism, helps with female hair loss, improves heart function, improves female fertility and improves regulation of the menstrual cycle.

Benefits of Oxytocin Supplementation

May enhance mood, lower BP, lower anxiety, improve orgasm, improve  autism or depression