Should human growth hormone be used as an anti-aging agent?
Some people use the hormone in quite massive doses, along with other performance-enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids, to build muscle and improve athletic performance. This approach has been proven unsafe and often generates negative side effects, leading to a very controversial subject of whether to supplement with HGH or not.
What Is Human Growth Hormone?
HGH is produced by the pituitary gland and converted by the liver into a protein called somatomedin-C or IGF-1 (insulin like growth factor-one). It is IGF-1 that is responsible for most of growth hormone functions in the body. HGH contributes to ongoing tissue repair, cell rejuvenation, bone and muscle strength, brain function, enzyme production, integrity of hair, nails and skin and fat breakdown.
Human Growth Hormone (HGH) As Anti-Aging Therapy
The signs of growth hormone deficiency are significantly correlated to the signs of aging: body composition shifts from lean muscle mass and high energy levels to increased fat/body weight and low energy levels, decreased bone mineralization (bone growth slows), vitality ebbs, and cardiovascular disease and mortality increase.
Decreased human growth hormone also includes impaired physical performance, poor sleep, and decreased social interaction. Growth hormone supplementation can result in significant improvements in energy, sense of well-being, along with decreased muscle pain, body fat and signs of aging such as wrinkles.
A study by Dr. Rudman and others published in 1990 in the New England Journal of Medicine found out that a small number of older men who were given HGH saw improved muscle mass, decreased body fat and better bone density.
The largest review of trials with HGH demonstrate that long-term use of growth hormone caused an average 2.3 kilogram (about 5 lbs) loss of weight, 2.6 kg (5.6 lbs) loss of fat, 1.4 kg (3 lbs) increase in lean body mass, and no consistent change in bone density. Patients generally feel better, as seen in quality of life scores.
Safety In Supplementing With Human Growth Hormone
It is very important to consult with an expert in bioidentical hormone therapy and find out whether this hormone is right for you or not. Reckless supplementing might generate negative side effects like increased swelling, joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, insulin resistance and increased risk of diabetes.
Watch a short and educative video by Dr. Kent Holtorf explaining how you can benefit of supplementing with HGH without risking your well-being:
Hormones are not drugs. They are natural substances that are vital to your health. As you age, your hormone production progressively decreases, which leads to and accelerates the aging process and the onset of age-related illnesses. Natural hormone replacement therapy restores your body to its youthful levels of hormones by bringing them back to the levels that your body was accustomed to in its younger years.
Resources:
Hormones
New Medical Guidelines for Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Treatment Issued
