Lately, there has been a lot of talk about the effects of the human growth hormone (HGH) on aging. Even though research is still underway, preliminary results suggest that using human growth hormone supplements can indeed help combat the undesirable effects that come with getting older.
In other fields, athletic commissions all over the country have banned the use of HGH among athletes as it has been shown to improve their performance significantly, thus giving them a competitive advantage.
So, what is HGH, and what are its benefits?
What is HGH?
The human growth hormone is a small protein that is manufactured by the pituitary gland, which it then secretes into the bloodstream. The hypothalamus releases a complex set of hormones which control the production of HGH.
The pituitary gland usually releases HGH in bursts in varying levels. These levels, however, tend to rise when you exercise, are under trauma, or when sleeping. Nevertheless, under normal circumstances, HGH tends to be produced more during the night.
HGH has a variety of roles in the body. In children and teenagers, it stimulates the growth of cartilage and bones. In individuals of all ages, it boosts the production of protein, utilization of fat. HGH also raises the production of insulin-like growth factor-1, which plays a crucial role in growth as well as stabilizing blood glucose levels.
Unfortunately, HGH production usually peaks at puberty and starts declining from middle age onwards. When that happens, one becomes HGH-deficient, thus stops enjoying its benefits and starts experiencing the ill-effects of aging. Fortunately, however, one can undergo growth hormone therapy to replenish your HGH stores and counteract those effects.
Benefits of HGH
1. Enhanced Mood and Brain Function
HGH therapy administered to growth hormone-deficient adults has been found to restore their psychological well-being as well as the quality of life. A Lithuanian study embarked on investigating the changes in the brain (cognitive) function, concentration, and mood. Eighteen adults with HGH-deficiency were subjected to six months of treatment using human recombinant growth hormone.
After the six months of therapy, the participants displayed significant improvements in cognitive function and mood. Based on those findings, the researchers concluded that administering HGH can be a potential treatment for improving brain function and mood in HGH-deficient adults.
2. Improved Heart and Lung Function
HGH-deficient individuals have been found to be at an elevated risk for cardiovascular disease, which leads to a shortened life expectancy. In a clinical trial done in Sweden, 104 growth-hormone-deficient patients were studied for susceptibility to cardiovascular disease.
These individuals were found to have higher body mass and triglyceride concentrations as compared to the average population. The study’s findings suggested that lipoprotein metabolism becomes compromised when there is a deficiency in HGH. Consequently, this also compromises heart and lung function.
As such, replenishing your HGH stores will help nullify these effects.
3. Decreased Obesity
Visceral/abdominal obesity and insulin resistance tend to be common among HGH-deficient individuals. Abdominal obesity, especially, has been found to be prevalent among people who have low concentrations of insulin-like growth hormone.
Fortunately, HGH therapy treatment is demonstrating that it can be a natural treatment for obese, HGH-deficient adults.
In a randomized, double-blind study that was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, thirty men aged between 48 and 66 were treated using recombinant HGH over a period of nine months. All those men were obese.
The results revealed substantial decreases in adipose (fat) tissue as well as diastolic blood pressure. Additionally, the subjects displayed better insulin sensitivity.
4. Increased Bone Density
Another essential function of HGH is regulating bone growth. As mentioned earlier, HGH stimulates the production of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), which is produced by the liver and released into the bloodstream.
Bone growth is at its peak during puberty. Nonetheless, as we age and HGH production decreases, we are not able to form and replace bones as rapidly as before. This results in reduced bone density.
However, by supplementing with HGH, one stimulates the production of IGF-1, which encourages the production of bone-forming cells. This is what results in increased bone mass.
5. Reduced Risk of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a medical condition which renders the bones brittle and fragile. It’s typically caused by a deficiency in calcium or vitamin D, as well as hormonal changes.
As such, an individual with HGH-deficiency is susceptible to osteoporosis, meaning that they are vulnerable to fracturing easily.
Studies show that using HGH encourages the deposition of collagen, which is essential in strengthening bones, thus reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
6. Better Sleep
Sleep-deprivation not only leads to poor cognitive functioning but can also lead to reduced immune function. Sleeping is essential as that is when cellular regeneration takes place, and the brain rests.
When you lack rest, however, the functions of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland become compromised, thus altering HGH production. As such, in addition to compromised cognitive and immune function, the individual becomes susceptible to the ill-effects of low HGH production.
As such, people must ensure that they are getting enough rest, especially if they are HGH-deficient. HGH therapy, in the meanwhile, should help combat the effects of lack of sleep, so as to promote cellular regeneration to help you feel younger for longer.
7. Treating Erectile Dysfunction
Findings from a number of clinical studies suggest that HGH is responsible for male sexual function as well as sexual maturation. Also, a deficiency in HGH can be associated with decreased sexual desire and erection.
In one study, 45 individuals with erectile dysfunction as well as 35 healthy males were subjected to tactile and visual stimuli so as to provoke an erection. The results discovered an up to 90 percent increase in growth hormone levels in the body when the individuals attained penile tumescence.
The findings, therefore, suggest that HGH can be used to stimulate a penile erection, thus making it a natural remedy for individuals with compromised sexual function.
Closing Thoughts
As you can see, HGH benefits list for men and women sufficiently large.
Human Growth Hormone is essential in a lot of vital processes inside our bodies. Unfortunately, HGH production diminishes as one gets older. As a result, your body no longer acts as optimally as it did, thus why people say that ‘youth has left them.’
Thankfully, science has been able to find the ‘fountain of youth’ through HGH therapy. HGH therapy is a treatment where growth hormone is administered in phases. Whenever your HGH stores become depleted, all you have to do is get another shot administered to you so you may continue enjoying the benefits that come with sufficient HGH in your body.
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