Human growth hormone is a pituitary released hormone, that is responsible for promoting the growth of a child into a full sized, mature adult, but that also continues to play several vital metabolic and health promotional roles in full grown adults. Growth hormone levels are at their highest point during the high growth years of puberty, and then fall off sharply to normal adult levels. As we are no longer growing, we do not need the same high levels of growth hormone that children require. Our endogenous adult levels of this hormone remain relatively stable until about the age of 40, at which point growth hormone levels begin a slow and steady decline.
Some adults will present with a clinically verifiable growth hormone deficiency, and these adults will suffer from a number of health defects. Young adults with a growth hormone deficiency respond very well to supplementary growth hormone therapy, and can restore their health and well being through this therapy.
Many of the symptoms of a deficiency in growth hormone levels in a young adult become the normal symptoms of aging a few decades later. This is of course not surprising, because as we age, our growth hormone levels are also reducing.
Growth hormone is a very complex sequence of amino acids, and it has only recently been replicated in a laboratory. This laboratory synthesizable human growth hormone is an exact molecular replica of natural growth hormone, and is indistinguishable from the real thing once injected into the body.
This synthetic growth hormone is FDA approved for use as a hormonal replacement therapy for people with a growth hormone deficiency, but is not as of yet approved for use as a supplementary therapy for people with normal endogenous levels of the hormone.
Although it remains unapproved for use in the general population, many doctors and clinical researchers are arguing that the many powerful health promotional affects offered by supplementary growth hormone therapy far outweigh the possible occurrence of side effects, and that the medical community should be using this beneficial therapy for a great many people.
Although this therapy is not yet approved, there are many people who are in fact using supplementary growth hormone therapy to improve their health and well being. There are three primary groups of people who may benefit from supplementary usage of growth hormone, and these three groups are athletes, the obese, and the aging.
What health promotional benefits are offered by supplementary growth hormone therapy?
Growth hormone is released by the pituitary, which is often called the master gland, for the range of influence it exerts. Growth hormone is a vital hormone, and is responsible for the regulation of a number of metabolic and other processes. An increase in growth hormone levels will increase health in a number of areas.
Weight loss
People who supplement growth hormone will almost always lose fat, and gain muscle. Clinical studies have reported that a few months of growth hormone therapy transforms bodily composition through a reduction of on average 12% of body weight lost in fat, and 9% of body weight gained in lean muscle. This transformation in such a short period of time is remarkable, and occurs without the need for any behavioral modification.
People who use growth hormone will increase their basal metabolic rate, decrease the amount of consumed carbohydrates that get transformed onto glucose by the body, and increase the higher calorie needing amounts of lean muscle. People taking growth hormone report that they lose fat without the need for dieting, and actually often eat more during a period of growth hormone therapy, and still lose weight. This incredible ability for growth hormone to induce weight loss makes it a very attractive solution for any person struggling with obesity. Obesity is a serious health deficit, and can lead to an early death. Many clinical researchers and medical doctors have been pushing for FDA approval for growth hormone as a way to reduce the currently endemic levels of obesity in our modern societies.
Skin health
Growth hormone is responsible for the repair and regeneration of skin cells. After the age of 40, as our endogenous levels of growth hormone drop off, our skin can no longer as well repair itself, and we begin to suffer the effects of environmental damage. When we can no longer sufficiently repair and renew our skin, we start to see wrinkles, decreasing skin tone, and a loss of elasticity. Years of environmental damage start to cause these negative effects on the skin.
With supplementary growth hormone, you will once again be able to repair and regenerate skin cells, and not only will you see no further skin damage, you will actually be able to repair and rejuvenate your skin. 6 months of growth hormone therapy has been said to erase 20 years of environmental damage from the skin. Growth hormone will smooth wrinkles, and increase skin tone and skin elasticity. Growth hormone will make you look younger.
Bone health
Osteoporosis can devastate an older person. The quality of life and mobility impairment of a broken bone can be severe, and it can be a long and expensive road to recovery. Our bones start to weaken as we age, and we see reduced bone mineral densities and strength with each passing year. Growth hormone is responsible for bone mineral density regulation, and by supplementing low levels of growth hormone, patients will see an increase in bone mineral densities and bone strength. A recent clinical study showed that a few months of growth hormone therapy served to increase skeletal bone mineral densities by an average of 12%.
Growth hormone therapy will increase bones strength and mineral densities, and reduce the incidence of broken bones and even eventual osteoporosis. Many doctors are arguing that growth hormone should be considered for anyone with low bone mineral densities, or anyone at risk for, or suffering with, osteoporosis. Doctors are hoping that growth hormone therapy may eliminate the suffering of osteoporosis caused broken bones.
Cholesterol levels and cardiac functioning
Supplementary growth hormone therapy can reduce the levels of bad, LDL, cholesterol, and increase the levels of good, HDL, cholesterol. Reverting your cholesterol ratios towards a healthier balance decreases your risk factors for certain cardiac diseases.
Growth hormone will also improve cardiac muscle strength and efficiency, and improve blood output and flow. This improved cardiac functioning translates into increased experienced energy, and even to a more restful sleep.
Better immune functioning
Growth hormone therapy has been clinically proven to increase the aggressiveness of the T cell response to infections. With a higher level of endogenous growth hormone, you are at a lower risk for opportunistic infections.
Better cognitive functioning and psychological well being
Strong anecdotal evidence points to increased cognitive functioning and clarity after growth hormone therapy. Patients report feeling sharper, and more mentally alert after supplementing their endogenous levels of the hormone. People also report feeling less depressed, and experience an overall better sense of psychological well being. Growth hormone therapy seems to make you happier and a little bit smarter as well.
Talk to your doctor about whether growth hormone therapy might be right for you
The health promotional benefits of growth hormone therapy are significant and diverse. Growth hormone is one of the body’s most influential hormones, and through supplementing this hormone, you will see a systemic improvement in health and well being.
Although many clinical researchers and doctors are arguing for wider usage of this hormonal therapy, it is as of yet only approved for people with a deficiency in growth hormone.
You can ask your doctor to test you for this deficiency through a growth hormone sensitivity test, to see whether you may be a suitable candidate for the treatment.
If you and your doctor decide that a period of supplementary growth hormone therapy is appropriate, you will need to be regularly monitored by your doctor during the therapy. Your doctor will want to ensure that the hormonal therapy is working as it should, and monitor any incidences of side effects.
Generally, people tolerate low dose growth hormone therapy very well, and with minimal side effects, but some people may experience some adverse effects. Some common side effects are water retention and joint pain. Most side effects can be eliminated through dosage modification.
If you ever experience any severe or allergic reactions to the hormone, you should get immediate medical attention.
Growth hormone in summary
If you think that you might benefit from more energy, less fat and more muscle, improved cholesterol ratios, improved immune functioning, better sleep and stronger bones, you should consult with your doctor about whether or not you are a suitable candidate for growth hormone therapy.