Human Growth Hormone – HGH – Controversy and Benefits

HGH – Human Growth Hormone by Randy Ice, PT. Perhaps no hormone generates more controversy than does a discussion of human growth hormone (HGH), which is improperly named and should rightfully be referred to as the “Human Master Hormone.” Since the level of HGH falls progressively with aging, it is falsely believed that it’s only role is to help us achieve our pre-determined height potential and therefore has no role in human health after you reach your full height.

In reality, HGH has many more physiological effects in the body and its disappearance over time is correlated with many of the signs and features characteristic of what is call “aging.” This indicates that perhaps some of what we refer to as aging is actually the loss of hormonal functions, especially HGH. Therefore, restoration of HGH may slow down and perhaps reverse the effects of aging.

What is HGH or Human Growth Hormone?

HGH is a 191 amino acid long peptide made inside the pituitary gland that elevates around age 12, reaching peak levels in the late teens and falling off as much as 50% by age 45 and 80% by age 70. HGH is released into the bloodstream and converted into a more stable, easily measured hormone called “Insulin Like Growth Factor 1″ (IGF-1). IGF-1 causes cell growth or activation by stimulating RNA production and protein synthesis within the cell. This can counteract the catabolic effects of aging, heavy exercise, excessive oxidation and/or increased cortisol from adrenal stress. Another hallmark of the aging body is a progressive cellular dehydration, which causes cellular mitochondria to function less optimally. Everyone “shrinks” over time as reflected in a loss of height, wrinkled skin, and loss of muscle mass; effects that are typically referred to as “aging” that can be reversed with HGH.

How is HGH – Human Growth Hormone – Administered?

Because HGH is a large polypeptide, this precludes it being made into a pill, as the stomach acid would digest it. Hence, the only way to administer HGH is via a subcutaneous injection using an insulin syringe and needle to raise serum IGF-1 level. In 1985 it was discovered how to genetically manufacture HGH and it became more available for anti-aging uses.

Effects of HGH – Human Growth Hormone – Deficiency

A 13-year study in Rancho Bernardo of a large number of older men and women found an increased death rate that was inversely related to serum IGF1 levels. Both total mortality and cardiovascular disease are related to IGF-1 levels with a 40 ng/ml decrease in IGF-1 associated with a 38% increase in total mortality. Since there is fear that administering HGH to older people might stimulate a latent malignancy to start growing, note that there was NO increase in cancer deaths or any other deaths in those with the highest IGF-1 levels.

In fact, the “HGH might cause cancer” concern is a myth that has been laid to rest by the medical literature over the last 25 years. The most recent textbook of Endocrinology states the following:

No increased risk of cancer occurrence has been observed in any surveillance studies of HGH – human growth hormone replacement in pituitary deficient adults.

HGH – Human Growth Hormone Benefits Aging Adults

One of the earliest pioneers in the use of HGH in aging adults is Dr. Edward Chein of Palm Springs who has at least 1000 clients being prescribed HGH for anti-aging reasons for well over 20 years. Many in Hollywood have gone to his clinic for HGH. It is no secret that Sylvester Stallone has been using HGH, and as a man in his mid-60′s he demonstrates excellent strength, fitness and health as observed in his most recent movie, The Expendables.

Dr. Chein has also documented a far lower rate of cancer development in this aging group who, on the basis of age alone, would be expected to have a number of malignancies. In fact, none at all are reported in his clients.

What most people who take replacement doses of HGH experience improvements in: energy levels, sense of well being, visceral fat, oxygen uptake during exercise, muscle mass and strength, skin tone and wrinkling, power output during maximal exercise testing, immune function, bone density and reversal of osteoporosis, cardiac output and congestive heart failure, lung function (including COPD), blood sugar control in Type 1 diabetics and Type II diabetic medication needed, lipid profiles, endothelial function, risk of heart attack or stroke, risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, healing including sports related injuries and frailty and loss of independence in the elderly.

HGH – Human Growth Hormone – Conclusion

Human Growth Hormone or HGH is a potent, anti-aging hormone that has many beneficial effects with no downside when properly administered and combined with appropriate clinical and laboratory follow up. Scientific studies do indicate it reverses many of the effects of aging and can prevent and even reverse the detrimental effects of age-related degenerative conditions including heart disease, COPD, diabetes, muscle atrophy and osteoporosis. When combined with other bio-identical hormones, it can be used safely and effectively to maintain strength, function and independence.

This HGH article provided by Randy Ice of Vintage Medical Group in Temecula, California.