A new case study reports that human growth hormone (HGH) may be linked to diabetes. Human growth hormone is used by professional athletes seeking to boost their athletic performance. HGH is also used to decrease body fat and improve youthful appearance. However, HGH has downsides, too. One is that it is linked to causing high blood sugar. The case of one 36-year old body builder demonstrates this fully. This man, a professional athlete, had been taking HGH for some time.His blood sugar began to soar out of control, and he lost weight, began to urinate excessively, and had an increased appetite and thirst (all classic signs of diabetes)In his case, the symptoms were able to be reversed by a five week hospital stay, lots of IV-administered fluids, and increasing doses of insulin.While this is one of the first cases of this type to be reported, it is likely that his case will become more common, as both HGH and insulin are available on the internet.If you or someone you know takes HGH, monitor yourself for symptoms of diabetes. Left untreated, this could cause irreversible harm.

Scientists at Harvard Medical School are studying a naturally occuring compound, resveratrol, for its possible benefits to weight loss, improved health, and anti-aging.

Resveratrol is found in nuts, wine, and grapes. At high doses, it has been found to prolong life spans and improve health- so far, just in mice, though human clinical trials are underway.

Mice who ingested a high fat, high calorie diet and then were given resveratrol were found to live longer than mice who ate the same diet, but were not given the resveratrol doses. In a separate study, mice given the compound lost weight, boosted their metabolism, and doubled their endurance in physical activity.

Funded in part by the National Institute on Aging, this study was published in the prestigious journals Nature and Cell in late 2006. Consumers have been snapping up bottles of resveratrol ever since; though researchers caution more data is needed to determine if high doses of resveratrol may cause damage humans.