Growth hormone receptor deficiency is associated with a major reduction in pro-aging signaling, cancer, and diabetes in humans

Researchers studied people in Ecuador with a rare inherited condition that blocks growth hormone from working normally. They compared 99 affected people with about 1,600 unaffected relatives. The affected group had very low IGF-1, a growth-related blood signal, and lower levels of other signals linked with aging. They had far fewer cases of cancer and diabetes than their relatives, although they were much shorter. This was an observational study, so it found a link but could not prove that reduced growth hormone caused the health benefits.

What this means for you: This does not show that healthy people should take drugs or supplements to lower growth hormone. It is an interesting human finding, but the condition is rare and the study was not a treatment trial.