It is impossible to completely avoid the aging process, but some people are starting to look at the human growth Hormone (HGH) for answers. Since it was synthetically developed in the 1980’s, HGH has been a popular topic as many with HGH deficiencies have benefitted from it. But what exactly is HGH, and how can hormone replacement therapy help you slow the aging process? Read on to find out.
What is HGH?
The human growth hormone (also known as HGH or somatotropin) is a naturally-occurring growth hormone that is responsible for keeping bodily tissues healthy and helping cells regenerate. It has been studied for about 100 years and was first therapeutically used in the 1950’s. HGH is something that helps us grow into strong and healthy adults. By the time you reach middle age, however, your body slows its HGH production. This is natural, but, for those with an HGH deficiency, the results can be rather distressing.
HGH studies have shown that HGH therapy can have benefits for aging men and women. One such study found that HGH therapy improved muscle responsiveness during leg presses in men ages 50 and over. It has also been shown to speed up the healing of fractured bones when locally applied.
Where is HGH Produced In the Body?
HGH is a peptide hormone that is produced by the Pituitary Gland, which is an extremely tiny (roughly the size of a pea) gland positioned below the hypothalamus, right at the base of your brain. Despite its small size, the pituitary gland has earned the label “master gland” due to how it exerts control over the ovaries, testes, thyroid gland, and adrenal gland, all of which create hormones.
Where is HGH Released From?
In the pituitary gland, HGH gets synthesized by pituitary cells called somatotrophs. Then, it gets secreted by these cells. HGH gets released from the anterior (or frontal) area of the pituitary gland. Somatotrophs can create and send out anywhere between 1 and 2 mg of HGH per day, although this number tends to hit a peak during puberty and drop off as you get older.
Once released, HGH makes its way through the bloodstream and to the liver, where it gets converted into crucial growth factors like IGF-1. IGF-1 acts similarly to insulin and promotes the growth of cells all throughout the body.
What are the Benefits of HGH?
HGH is something that many of us don’t require an extra amount of since our bodies make it for us. However, those who have HGH deficiencies can benefit from receiving additional HGHs. HGHs have been used in studies of those with IGF-1 deficiencies and appear to be successful in treating these conditions.
Additionally, HGH has some other well-documented benefits, including:
- Providing better healing of fractured bones
- Boosting muscle strength
- Creating stronger bones overall
- Assisting in weight loss efforts
- Lessening obesity
- Lessening the risk of developing a cardiovascular disease
- Combatting erectile dysfunction in men
- Promoting a better night’s rest
- Enhancing cognitive abilities and mood
Many of those who have HGH deficiencies will experience depression, loss of memory, hair loss, chronic fatigue, and an increase in LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. As an adult, these symptoms can get worse over time as your body produces fewer HGHs. Those with normal HGH levels notice some changes as well. Women tend to experience changes in their body-fat ratios, and both men and women lose elasticity in the skin as HGH levels decrease.
What is an HGH Secretagogue?
A human growth hormone secretagogue acts as a precursor to HGH. It is a polyamino acid chain that is said to stimulate HGH creation in and secretion from the pituitary gland. It is thought to suppress somatostatin, which is known to inhibit the hormones TSH and HGH, which can cause them to be deficient.
Many secretagogues are synthetically manufactured and are even sold over-the-counter as supplements. Many people view them as a far more convenient alternative to HGH injections. However, the HGH secretagogue is still being clinically studied and should only be taken as a prescription medication.
Is There a Natural HGH Secretagogue?
Natural HGH secretagogues are available but are still undergoing studies to determine just how effective they are as parts of a tablet and powder mix, which is how they are usually packaged. They work in a similar way to synthetic secretagogues, but you should consult with your doctor before trying one.
While there is a lot yet to be done scientifically to understand how well natural secretagogues work compared to their synthetic counterparts, both types are showing positive results in helping those with HGH deficiencies and those who want to slow the aging process down a bit. Of course, it is important to remember that bodybuilders and athletes are not to take hormone therapy in order to improve their results, and you should only try HGH with your doctor’s recommendation.
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