Ageing: Postponing Morbidity

Abstract

Aim
To investigate whether the morbidities associated with ageing – loss of muscle mass with consequent weakness, increase in adipose-tissue mass, thinning of skin, loss of bone mineral density followed by increase in fracture rate, decreased energy, and reduction in bone marrow output – can be prevented or postponed by a combination of modern pharmaceutical agents.
Methods
Electronic databases were scrutinized for the actions and side-effects of compounds which have known and specific effects.
Results
Anabolic steroids, androgenic hormones and their precursors, as well as growth hormone and erythropoietin were assessed. The benefits of each of these, and their potential adverse effects, together with suggested doses at which they may be used in combination, are presented.
Conclusions
The data indicate that there are many probable benefits to ageing individuals in postponing morbidity by the suggested combination of compounds, although no size effects can be determined without a large population study. It is likely that there would be a low-level of side-effects. However, before a population study, a clinical trial to test these assumptions is suggested. Apart from the specific benefit to individuals, if successful the combination would engender wide-spread usage with many important benefits to society, not least on the amount and cost of care-giving.