growth hormone

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We discuss:

• Derek’s interest in weightlifting and experimentation with anabolic steroids at a young age [3:15];
• Derek’s experience acquiring steroids from underground labs and the potential long-term fertility concerns early in his bodybuilding career [12:00];
• The backstory on More Plates, More Dates and Derek’s unique ability to blend scientific knowledge with personal observation [17:00];
• Growth hormone – from extreme use-cases to the more typical – and the misconception that it’s the “elixir of life” [21:30];
• Growth hormone 101: definition, where it comes from, and the challenges of measuring it [28:45];
• Does exogenous growth hormone compromise one’s ability to make endogenous growth hormone? [40:00];
• The use of growth hormone in restoration of tissue during periods of healing [42:00];
• Growth hormone-releasing peptides to increase endogenous GH: various peptides, risks, benefits, and comparison to exogenous growth hormone [48:45];
• The role of growth hormone in building muscle and burning fat, as well as its effects on sleep and daytime lethargy [1:02:30];
• The evolution of drug use in the sport of bodybuilding [1:10:30];
• What explains the protruding abdomens on some bodybuilders and athletes? [1:20:30];
• Death of bodybuilders [1:26:00];
• The complex interplay of hormones, and the conversion of testosterone into metabolites like DHT and estrogen [1:33:45];
• Post-finasteride syndrome and how Derek successfully treated his hair loss [1:43:15];
• Testosterone replacement therapy: compelling use-cases, side effects, and optimal dosing schedules [1:57:15];
• Aromatase inhibitors to suppress estrogen, and the misconceptions around estrogen in men [2:16:00];
• Other hormones beyond testosterone for male sex hormone replacement [2:21:00];
• The history of anabolic compounds, and the differing effects of various anabolic testosterone derivatives and related drugs [2:24:30];
• Use of SARMs by bodybuilders [2:29:45];
• Anabolic steroid and testosterone regimens of professional bodybuilders and the downstream consequences [2:36:15];
• The challenge of accurate hormone testing in the presence of anabolic steroids and supplements [2:44:45];
• The use of Clomid, hCG, and enclomiphene [2:47:15];
• Concerns about fertility: comparing the use of testosterone and hCG [3:00:30];
• The use of BPC-157 peptide for healing injuries [3:12:00]; and
• More.

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In this episode, Ethan Weiss, Hopkins trained preventative cardiologist at UCSF, discusses two topics that on the surface may seem unrelated which is cardiovascular disease, and the role of growth hormone and IGF in disease. Ethan provides a masterclass in everything from acute coronary syndrome to all of the complex nuances around stent placement, as well as how calcium scores and results from CT angiograms shape his treatment of patients. He also shares how his idea to study the sex differences in blood clotting as it relates to coronary disease lead him to pursue the field of endocrinology, and specifically what he found with respect to the effect of growth hormone and IGF on the liver, the brain, and overall human longevity. 

We discuss:

• Mutual love for hockey [7:15];
• Ethan’s background and interest in cardiology [13:15];
• Clinical definitions of a heart attack, clotting, and plaque: What causes the acute event? [24:15];
• Defining coronary disease and myocardial infarction: The evolving nomenclature [32:00]; 
• What happens when someone comes to the ER with a STEMI (ST elevation myocardial infarction)? [47:15];
• Stents [54:45];
• Treatment protocol for both acute and chronic coronary artery disease: History, controversy, and important distinctions [1:06:30];
• Using stents to treat stable angina: What we learned from the COURAGE AND ORBITA trials [1:15:30];
• The “art” of longevity: The challenge of preventative medicine and understanding risk [1:31:45];
• Understanding CAC scores, and CT angiogram results [1:40:15];
• How sex differences in clotting and heart disease got Ethan interested in growth hormone and IGF [2:01:00];
• Impact of growth hormone on the liver [2:07:00];
• Growth hormone and insulin sensitivity [2:18:00];
• The role of GH and IGF on chronic disease and cancer [2:23:30];
• Will taking growth hormone promote longevity? [2:32:30];
• GH and IGF as a treatment for early stage dementia? [2:34:30];
• What happens to IGF while fasting and what about fasting improves longevity?  [2:35:15];
• The importance of becoming scientifically literate and making science more exciting for future generations [2:38:30];
• Ethan’s new company: Keyto [2:43:45]; and
• More.

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