FAQs

As with many of the great scientific advances of history, Gerovital H3 was discovered accident. The active ingredient of GH3 is procaine, a local anesthetic developed in 1905 Alfred Einhorn, a German scientist. Over the years, doctors using procaine began to notice regenerative effects: arthritis disappeared in some patients, hair regrew or recolored, and skin quality improved. However, the numbing effect of procaine leads the body to trigger cholinesterase, an enzyme, which breaks the procaine down and ejects it from the cells in about one hour. Dr. Ana Aslan, a gerontologist and director of the Bucharest Institute of Geriatrics in Romania, was the first to recognize that these accidentally discovered regenerative effects might be extended if the procaine were stabilized so that it would not “attack” the body cells with a numbing effect. After years of laboratory and clinical work, she and her colleagues succeeded in doing just that adding benzoic acid and potassium metabisulphate. The gentleness of the resulting compound leads the cells not to reject it, and it stays in the body for more than six hours. Presumably, the regenerative qualities are expanded a factor of at least six.

Empiric action refers to what a given substance does for the body; these are results we can observe. Pharmacologic action refers to how, in a chemical sense, the substance works. The pharmacologic action for many compounds used in medicine is not understood – so it is with Gerovital. However, on the basis of 286 published scientific studies and 500 laboratory reports it is clear that:

(1) GH3 tends to improve the balance with which diverse systems in the body interact. Many health professionals view the maintenance of this balance to be a definition of health itself.

(2) GH3 gently dilates and cleanses blood vessels, thus facilitating improved circulation to all parts of the body. It is clear that numerous conditions of aging are caused or accelerated impairment of circulation. Poor kidney function, senility, angina, arthritis, poor skin tone or elasticity, varicose veins, poor lung capacity and other conditions may thus be improved with Gerovital.

(3) GH3 tends to restore the level of MAO (monoamine oxidase, an enzyme) toward normal. MAO levels tend to build up in the body after age 45 (although this may happen sooner.) MAO is a dominant substance which tends to displace other substances related to youth and vitality. Individuals with high MAO levels may thus develop depression, pessimism, tiredness and lose interest in life. Some gerontologists theorize that the rise in MAO level is a biological law of aging; if it is kept more toward normal, the symptoms normally associated with aging are kept in check.

Procaine, the active ingredient of GH3 Vitamins, is composed of two naturally occurring B vitamins known as PABA (paramino benzoic acid) and DEAE (diethyl amino ethanol). PABA stimulates the production of folic acid and vitamins K and B1, while DEAE helps make choline and acetylcholine, vital in nerve function.

Yes. PABA and DEAE are substances which occur naturally in the cells. Procaine takes these two natural ingredients and combines them with weak “covalent” bonds; thus they can enter the cells more easily. Just taking PABA or DEAE separately would not have the same effect, because they would not effectively enter the cells. Dr. Aslan’s pioneering work on stabilizing the procaine made it stay in the cells longer in order to extend the regenerative effects.

No. It is a vitamin C compound, since it is composed of two B vitamins. It does not replace other vitamins, however, because the processing of the product makes these vitamins behave differently than other vitamins.

We can’t ever predict what the beneficial effects will be. The product works at a cellular level in the body, and therefore the action is general rather than specific. It tends to improve the overall functioning of the human system, rather than working in an unbalancing way on specific sites.

GH3 has been thoroughly tested than probably any other product designed for use in the human body. 32 years of clinical investigation and scientific testing, and use tens of millions of people show no harmful side effects. Further, GH3 does not interact with any medications. In contrast, traditional drug therapy has a built-in danger of mixing the wrong products. The power of one of the drugs may be drastically increased, leading to possible complications.

No. Dr. Bernard Wagner of Columbia University conducted animal studies on GH3 in which he gave experimental rats 90 times the equivalent human dose of Gerovital for months. He determined that there is no buildup of GH3 in the cells. He and most researchers agree that GH3 acts on sites in the body in a gentle way which does not damage them. It is not uncommon for suicidal patients to intentionally overdose on their medication (usually an anti-depressant). The very substance which is supposed to save their lives can thus do the opposite. As an anti-depressant, GH3 can relieve the doctor of this burden while still doing an effective job at ending the depressive cycle.

It shows regenerative effects in conditions of arthritis, depression, angina, parkinsons disease, skin problems, high or low blood pressure, poor lung capacity, ulcers, thinning and fading of hair, poor memory and eyesight, senility, psychotic symptoms, impotence and proneness to general illness.

Medical treatments in America for the most part are designed to act specifically in the body. GH3, on the other hand, works generally, at a cellular level. It therefore tends to improve many aspects of health. As explained previously, the pharmacologic action of the product is not understood, but the three areas mentioned (balance of body systems, improved circulation and normalization of MAO level) are generally improved GH3, and these could account for most of the above improvements.

On the basis of 32 years of research, we can safely assume that Dr. Aslan’s formulation of Gerovital won’t hurt people who take it; at the same time it may do a tremendous amount of good. Young people who take the product will usually do so for specific conditions not related to aging, such as juvenile arthritis, depression or ulcers.

Some researchers believe that decreased levels of serotonin (a neurotransmitter) leads to impotence. Serotonin is a substrate of MAO; in other words the MAO metaboloizes it in order to keep its level balanced. With the unrestricted buildup of MAO (usually after the age 45) serotonin levels fall. With its proven ability to inhibit excess MAO, the GH3 may thus push serotonin levels toward normal and restore sexual potence.

The neurotransmitters known as serotonin and noreprinepherine are apparently needed for normal brain functioning. Most researchers believe that reduced levels of these substances lead to an inability of the brain to conduct neural impulses and function normally. Depression can be the result. MAO is present to metabolize these neurotransmitters and keep them from becoming too predominant; this could lead to too much neural firing and “manic” behavior. However, the MAO may do its job too well, thus leaving the brain with a deficiency of serotonin or noreprinepherine. Low energy and depression can result.

Classical MAO inhibitor drugs used in psychiatry (Parnate, Nardil) reduce depression forming strong covalent bonds with the MAO. In a sense, they form a shell around the MAO and completely disable it. This reduces the metabolism of the serotonin and noreprinepherine but also can be dangerous, since it disables the MAO from performing its other functions. Tyramine is a substrate of MAO (that is, the MAO is there to metabolize it.) Tyramine is present in fermented foods including yogurt and fermented cheeses, as well as in pickles, shellfish and certain wines. If unchecked, it can lead to dangerously high blood pressure. The classical MAO inhibitors stop the metabolization of neurotransmitters but also keep the MAO from doing its job regarding tyramine. Many people on these anti-depressants died before the tyramine effect was understood. Currently, people taking them are on severe dietary restrictions. In contrast, GH3 “gets between” the MAO and the neurotransmitters (according to many researchers) and thus prevents the metabolization of the neurotransmitters. Under demand, such as stress or the presence of tyramine, the GH3 gets out of the way so the MAO can do its job. Once again, the same function is accomplished but with complete safety.

Studies David MacFarlane (USC), Sidney Cohen (UCLA) and Keith Ditman (Vista Hill Foundation) and John Saunders and Luigi Bucci (Rockland State Hospital, NY) show that GH3 can reduce hallucinations, bizarre thinking and delusional systems in patients. It does so without side effects.

To date, there is nothing which will cure herpes. Studies conducted J. Earle Office of USC showed that the herpes I (which causes cold sores) and herpes II (which causes venereal herpes) did not become active while the test subjects were on GH3.

There is no definitive answer to this question, but studies J. Earle Officer also showed that the C-type (cancer causing) viruses did not become active during GH3 experiments.

The evidence is unclear. However, two important factors in heart attack are believed to be cholesterol and triclyceride levels. Studies Dr. Aslan and associates, and Cohen and Ditman showed a lowering of these levels in patients using GH3. Studies Dr. Aslan also showed a lowering of these levels in patients using GH3. Studies Dr. Aslan also showed a tendency for GH3 treated patients to experience a normalization of arterial pressure.

We don’t use the term “cure” because the conditions improved Gerovital will only continue as long as one continues to use the product. When one ceases to use GH3, the body appears to go back slowly to its original condition. Dr. Aslan points out that the real benefit of GH3 is that it can be used to prevent the advance of conditions which normally grow worse with aging.

The most impressive studies on increased life span were conducted Prof. Berger in France, and Richard Hothschild, PhD of Corona del Mar. They conducted rat and mice studies which showed that animals treated with GH3 may live up to 30% longer than animals in the control groups. Dr. Aslan reported a reduction in mortality rate in her human subjects, although her figures are less specific.

The body’s immunity system responds to “invasions” various substances from the environment, protecting the body from damage. Occasionally, the body becomes sensitized so that it overreacts in such a way that the normal function gets out of hand. The chemical consequences of this normal function gone out of control can become a bigger problem than the original one. Histamine is produced in the body and this may lead to many of the classical symptoms of an allergic reaction. GH3 may moderate this problem in two ways:
(1) Researchers Dos Ghali, Aslan and Cohen assert that GH3 is an anti-histaminic.

(2) Various researchers theorize that GH3’s tendency to improve the balance of interacting systems may reduce the chance of a damaging allergic reaction.

Dr. Aslan and her fellow researchers report that 38% of GH3 treated subjects showed a reduction in absenteeism from work.

Many gerontological researchers theorize that senility symptoms (memory lapses, short attention span, disorientation, disinterest in life) may be largely caused hardening of blood vessels in the brain. When blood cannot reach certain parts of the brain in adequate amounts, those areas lack oxygen and nutrients necessary to carry on normal activity. Researchers who have studied Dr. Aslan’s product believe that the ability of GH3 to dilate and cleanse blood vessels may insure adequate circulation to these areas.

Again, the pharmacologic action is not clearly understood. It is known that endocrine imbalances and reduced peripheral circulation can lead to the weakening and thinning of hair and that poor nutrition or nutrition which is not adequately communicated to the hair roots may lead to the weakening and thinning of hair. GH3 tends to restore balance in the body, and increases circulation – this could contribute to improvements reported in both hair and nails.

Yes. Studies Dr. Aslan and associates, and Bucci and Saunders indicate that GH3 does not cross the placental barrier. Benefits to the pregnant woman can thus go uninterrupted. Additionally, pregnant women are not able to take the classical anti-depressants. Their depression may be safely managed with Gerovital.

Digestive enzymes may degrade the GH3, so it is preferable to take it on an empty stomach, and then wait at least one hour before eating to be sure it is absorbed. Most individuals take one tablet before breakfast, and another one hour before the evening meal. Alternatively, you may choose to take a tablet two hours after each of these meals.

Not from the World Institute of Health. Dr. Aslan states that the injections work faster for certain conditions, but that on the whole the tablets are preferable because they stimulate the intestinal flora, while the injections do not.

Both sulfa drugs and straight niacin (not niacin as part of a multi-vitamin) can neutralize the effects of the GH3. However, GH3 products do not interact with them in a harmful manner.

Many of our users report positive benefits for animals, usually along the same lines as those experienced humans. Arthritis, allergies, skin problems, falling hair and slow healing have all been reported to improve people who gave the GH3 to their pets.

Yes. The only regulative body of consequence in this area is the FDA, which has tried repeatedly to get control over GH3. The FDA has no jurisdiction for two reasons:

(1) Congress empowered the agency to regulate a rapidly expanding drug, food processing and cosmetic market. It only has power over active ingredients, and only over active ingredients which are new (ie. need to be evaluated). The active ingredient of Gerovital, procaine, has been around since 1905, which is much longer than the FDA has been with us.

(2) The FDA has no jurisdiction over vitamins; this issue was settled in a recent series of court cases. Gerovital H3 is a vitamin C compound. Despite these limits, the FDA has persisted in trying to limit the public’s access to GH3. The issue was recently, and hopefully finally, settled in the state of Florida. In Gannerix vs. the FDA, the courts determined at the local, appeals and supreme court levels that the FDA has no jurisdiction over GH3. The Dietary Supplement Act of 1994 turned this into law.

We don’t know. However, you can perhaps draw your own conclusions evaluating the billions of dollars made annually the medical establishment on curative medicine, and realizing that the high quality research conducted over the past 32 years on Ana Aslan’s product generally doesn’t appear in American medical journals. Three articles on procaine appeared in 1963 which stated that it is worthless for preventing or curing health problems. However, the researchers involved did not use Dr. Aslan’s product; they instead used unstabilized procaine. A later study (1965) conducted a Chicago Medical School Institute for Medical Research team concluded that there is a vast difference between unstabilized procaine and Aslan’s formulation and that her formulation proved itself to be as efficacious as claimed. This lengthy scientific study was largely ignored.

There are dozens of different products from various parts of the world which claim to be GH3. Some work slightly better than others, but most show themselves to be unstabilized procaine which remains in the body only about one hour. None has yet been found which compares to the Aslan and World Institute products. The product from Nevada is actually KH3, a sodium base compound which contains unstabilized procaine and comes in the form of a capsule.

No. The Romanian government does not export their product for general sale. A few clinics in various countries claim to have contracts with the Romanian government to receive to directly. Even if this is true, a user would need to pay his way into the clinics. Product found in health food stores in America, no matter what the label or the store owner tells you, is invariably from Mexico.

Unless this condition is brought on a coincidental bout with an illness, it is probably due to detoxification. Various weak poisons may be present in the body which, with the advent of a good vitamin program, health foods or a cleansing fast, may be released into the system. The symptoms may persist for three to five days.