Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Facts

This article presents information about human growth hormone or better known as HGH, and explains its role and significance in human health.
Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Facts
Definition of HGH

Human Growth Hormone or HGH is a naturally occurring hormone in the human body, produced by the pituitary gland. HGH has really exploded on the health scene starting sometime around the start of the 21 century and today it has become sort of like a buzzword for anti aging. HGH is defined as a peptide hormone that comprises 191 amino acids, making it one of the largest naturally occurring molecules in nature. This also makes it difficult to synthesize, and much too large to be absorbed through any body tissues.

The link between aging and HGH

HGH is produced in large amounts when we were young, but over time, the pituitary gland lowers its production of this hormone, starting around the time we reach adulthood, which would be the period between ages 25 to 30. Accompanying this decline in HGH production would be the typical symptoms of aging, among which are drying skin, wrinkles, slowed metabolic rate, lowered energy levels, and overall decline of bone and muscle mass.

It is not clear to medical science what causes the pituitary to lower its production of growth hormone, but not only does HGH levels drop, so do almost all the other hormones. The most drastic erosion is that for HGH, so that by the time you’re in your sixties, there is only a fraction of that hormone circulating in your bloodstream.

Numerous tests conducted on the effect of HGH on aging humans have so far backed the hypothesis that HGH does have a beneficial effect on aging. The effects can be rather dramatic, in as far as positive physical and mental benefits become obvious when test subjects are put on an HGH replacement therapy.

Side effects and risks

HGH replacement can cause side effects, although the risk is apparently minimal. Nonetheless, health conditions like acromegaly (excessive physical growth), increased risk of diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome, heart conditions, and even a heightened risk to cancer are all known to result from excessive HGH levels brought on either by chronic affliction of the pituitary gland or an overdose of HGH through artificialized injections.

Abuse of HGH in sports

Ever since athletes discovered that HGH can improve muscle building, there has been increasing incidences of abuse of HGH in the sporting world. The truth is that HGH does not have any dramatic effects on muscle strength, but because it is undetectable through standard urine tests, many athletes abused it and got away with it.

Increased effective testing systems introduced in recent times (as in the recent Olympic Games) by international sporting bodies means that HGH cannot be misused by athletes as blatantly as before. That bodes well for the reputation of this naturally occurring hormone of the human body.

Is HGH for you?

We all want to look young, feel young, and stay young for as long as possible. But HGH therapy is only approved under prescription, and for starters, the high cost of treatment is way beyond most people’s means. A qualified doctor is also required to supervise the treatment.

There is another way to raise HGH levels though. Although not as dramatic as HGH therapy via injections, there is significant body of evidence to prove that human growth hormone levels can be increased via taking HGH releasers. HGH releasers are supposed to work on stimulating the pituitary to work on its own to produce more growth hormone. This is a far better way to raise growth hormone levels in the body.

Nonetheless, there are many products that have sprung up over the past few years that do not work. There are natural ways to get your growth hormone levels up, and it is not as simple as you may imagine. All good things take time and work. But in the long run, if you take the trouble to learn about how growth hormone works and how to keep yourself healthy and fit, the benefits will start to become obvious. Learn more about HGH, one of the most effective anti aging agents we have.

By Mike Best
Published: 6/13/2009
 
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