Fighter Cung Le suspended for HGH use: But what is HGH?
It seems like no sport is without athletes who give in to the temptations of artificial muscle growth, and proof of that exists in the…
Cung Le suspended after testing positive for HGH. (Photo by Victor Fraile/Getty Images)
It seems like no sport is without athletes who give in to the temptations of artificial muscle growth, and proof of that exists in the recent suspension handed down by the UFC to fighter, Cung Le. Though known throughout the world of mixed martial arts as an honorable and respectful opponent, Cung Le, at age 42, has tested positive for human growth hormone (HGH).
Le’s test results came back positive for excess levels of human growth hormone following a TKO (technical knock-out) loss to Michael Bisping on August 23 in Macau, China. Rumors had been circulating prior to the fight based on images of Cung Le now and how he appeared when he was fighting at a younger age.
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“UFC middleweight Cung Le tested positive for an excess level of human growth hormone in his system following his fight at UFC Fight Night in Macao, China on August 23,” stated the UFC in a statement. “Due to his positive test result, Le was suspended by the UFC and notified that he violated the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy and Promotional Agreement with Zuffa, LLC. The UFC has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance-enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents by our athletes. Le will serve a nine-month suspension and, at its conclusion, will need to pass a drug test before competing in the UFC again.”
The results shocked fans of Le who believed him when he told MMAjunkie.com in an interview pre-fight, “People can say whatever they want to say. They should get off their a—- and work out. I’ll pee right now. Look at me compared to (UFC middleweight Luke Rockhold). Even (Bisping) is bigger than me. I’m a small dude, I’m just lean. Get over it.”
Le has not yet issued a statement on the suspension.
What’s the big deal with human growth hormone?
The UFC has suspended middleweight contender Cung Le after the fighter tested positive for an excess level of human growth hormone (HGH). (Credit: Instagram)
Human growth hormone is produced naturally in the body by the pituitary gland of children and adolescents. This substance helps to regulate body composition, body fluids, muscle and bone growth, sugar and fat metabolism, and possibly heart function. So if HGH is produced naturally, why is it such a big deal when athletes are caught supplementing it?
The answer to this is the same for any other performance-enhancing substance banned from professional use. HGH can provide an individual with an unfair athletic advantage. It increases muscle mass and bone density in a way that is unnatural in adults and impossible to do strictly through exercising or strength training. Because it is “natural,” however, it is one of the go-to performance enhancers for athletes and has fewer side-effects compared to other synthetic supplements. Due to its common use, HGH is frequently tested for, and easily identified in those who use it.
HGH levels diminish as a person ages, so abnormally high levels are usually an indicator of illicit use.
“Because the body’s HGH levels naturally decrease with age, some so-called antiaging experts have speculated and claimed that HGH products could reverse age-related bodily deterioration. But these claims, too, are unproven. The use of HGH for antiaging is not FDA-approved,” states WebMD. “Nevertheless, some people obtain injectable HGH from doctors who prescribe it for off-label purposes (uses for which it was not approved by the FDA) and through Internet pharmacies, antiaging clinics, and web sites.”
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Aside from the unfair athletic advantage HGH provides, it is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as a fitness booster. Though side-effects appear to be minimal, there is not enough research behind the use of HGH to support its use in athletes.
A report from the Mayo Clinic indicates that HGH may well increase muscle mass, but there is no proof that it actually improves someone’s strength. What’s more, a healthy individual taking HGH may experience short-term joint and muscle pain, swelling in the extremities, enlargement of breast tissue, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
