Pros and Cons of Antiaging Medicine

Eun ju Lee

doi:10.5124/jkma.2007.50.3.228

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Lee: Pros and Cons of Antiaging Medicine

Focused Issue of This Month

Etiologies of Aging and Evidence-based Antiaging Therapy

Journal of the Korean Medical Association

Journal of the Korean Medical Association 2007; 50(3): 228-233.

Published online: 31 March 2007

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2007.50.3.228

Pros and Cons of Antiaging Medicine

Eun ju Lee, MD

Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Korea. eunjulee@amc.seoul.kr

Abstract

Recent scientific progresses in understanding the aging process have led to an increasing interest in antiaging medicine. In contrast to the conventional medicine for the treatment of specific diseases, the antiaging treatment targets to prevent or reverse aging, disability and frailty. With the growing interest in the antiaging treatments, a large number of products like supplements, vitamins, and herbs are currently being sold under the name of "anti-aging medicine". Some complementary and alternative medicine and hormonal replacement therapy are provided by physicians. However, scientific and medical evidence supporting the effectiveness of current antiaging treatments is not sufficient. In addition, issues of safety and effectiveness are still controversial. This article focuses on the benefits and adverse effects of current anti-aging therapeutic methods and shows the future directions.

Keywords: Antiaging medicine, Hormone replacement, Growth hormone

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