Growth promoters in humans

The maintenance and enhancement of body composition is an energy-dependent process and is impossible without an adequate supply of energy and protein. In certain circumstances, alteration of the normal pattern of protein deposition and metabolism may be considered necessary. Drugs have been used with some success in attaining this end in three distinct clinical areas. First, they are proving effective in the treatment of short-statured children, second, a variety of strategies have been used in an attempt to prevent loss of lean body mass in traumatized and septic patients, and finally and most controversially, the anabolic influences of a number of hormones have been used by sportsmen and women in a bid to improve athletic performance.