Anti Aging and Human Growth Hormone

Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain.  The highest levels of HGH is produced during adolescence but between the ages of 21 and 30 the level of HGH being produced is markedly reduce by as much as 1.4 percent per year.  By the age of 40 it can be down as much as 50 percent.

Dr. Daniel Rudman, M.D., of the Medical College Of Wisconsin conducted research on the effects of HGH in 1991.  He concluded that HGH could reduce body fat, increase muscle tone, boost your energy level, reduce wrinkle, improve sleep, improve sex drive, improve the immune system, lower cholesterol levels, and improve memory.

There have been many research programs since then that have shown medical evidence that the decline of HGH is linked to many of the symptoms we associate with old age.  Increased body fat, decreased energy, poor sex drive, decrease in muscle mass, poor functions of the immune system, loss of hair color, decreased skin elasticity, poor eyesight, loss of bone density, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and joint pain.  Many believe that HGH can turn back the clock 10 to 20 years and that it is Cosmetic Surgery in a Bottle or the Fountain of Youth.

Growth hormone or GH has been used for years as a valid medical treatment for certain growth hormone deficiencies in children.  The term HGH, or human growth hormone, is a very common name is now being seen in marketing campaigns for anti aging products. 

Three organs in the human body mainly control the production of HGH.  The pituitary gland in the brain, secrete the hormone into the blood stream.  HGH travels to the liver, which is encouraged to product a hormone called Insulin-like Growth Factor.  A majority of the beneficial effects of the HGH is actually due to the IGF acting on its target cells.  The Insulin-like Growth Factor in the blood stream caused the pituitary to stop or reduce the output of HGH.

The Hypothalamic is also a gland in the brain that produces a peptide that stimulates the synthesis and the secretion of the HGH by the pituitary gland.  The Hypothalamic gland functions as the main control center of the autonomic nervous system and it controls the hormonal secretions of the pituitary gland.  Somatostatin is a peptide produced by the Hypothalamic gland the inhibits the release of HGH by the pituitary.  Usually in response to low blood glucose levels.

The stomach secrets a hormone called Ghrelin and it potently stimulates the secretion of HGH.  Ghrelin levels in the blood stream increase before meals and decrease after meals and is believed to be involved with feeling of hunger or satiation.  If you eat a lot of small meals then the level of ghrelin in the blood stream is always low.

It is a violation of Federal Law to sell any product that contains natural HGH without a prescription.  So what are you getting when you purchase a product that has HGH on the label?  HGH releasers, HGH precursors, HGH secretagogues, contain nothing more than amino acid supplements and are just trying to capitalize on the popularity of HGH at highly inflated prices and they do not contain any Human Growth Hormone.

Growth hormone is currently approved and marketed for enhancing milk production in dairy cattle. Administration of bovine somatotropin to lactating cows results in increased milk yield.  However, this treatment engenders abundant controversy  among dairy farmers.  Drinking milk from cattle treated with bovine growth hormone does not pose a risk to human health.

Another application of growth hormone in animal agriculture is treatment of growing pigs with porcine growth hormone. Such treatment has been demonstrated to significantly stimulate muscle growth and reduce deposition of fat.

Many products claim to have the ability to raise a person's levels of HGH naturally.  These claims have not been proven scientifically.  Anti aging HGH replacements should be taken seriously however, as they do have the potential to cause side effects.

The reported side effects of HGH include an increase in blood pressure, fluid retention, carpal tunnel syndrome, insulin resistance, diabetes, and joint pain.  Although anti aging HGH seems to have some benefits, consumers must be wary to research the actual degree of the benefits and weigh that against the potential side effects.

If you just feel that you need vitamins, supplements or herbs to fight the aging process then find a good health care professional prior to starting any type of home treatment.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.