Human growth hormone (HGH), also known as somatotropin, is a peptide hormone produced by the pituitary gland. It plays a vital role in stimulating growth, muscle and bone development, cellular reproduction and regeneration across the body. There are both therapeutic uses and illicit uses of HGH, which I'll summarize below.
- HGH levels naturally peak during puberty and decline with age. Supplementing synthetic HGH aims to restore youthful levels in deficient adults.
- HGH therapy is FDA-approved to treat diagnosed growth deficiencies and muscle-wasting diseases. When prescribed and monitored by a doctor, it can have benefits like:
- Increasing bone density and muscle mass
- Especially helps counteract age-related loss of muscle and bone strength
- Reducing body fat
- Enhancing exercise performance
- Improving skin elasticity and texture - reducing wrinkles
- Speeding up healing from injuries or surgery
- Improving cardiac function
- However, synthetic HGH also has risks if taken without medical need or supervision:
- It can negatively impact insulin regulation and increase blood sugar
- May cause joint pain, nerve pain, and swelling (edema) in limbs
- Can spark excessive growth of breast tissue in men (gynecomastia)
- Increased cancer risk is debated, but possible
- Illicit use of HGH for anti-aging or athletic enhancement remains controversial but popular despite lack of robust evidence and risks of side effects.
- A thriving unregulated market and internet sales facilitate access without prescriptions.
- Athletes or bodybuilders take HGH to try stimulating extreme muscle growth.
- Anti-aging clinics and supplement companies market HGH pills, sprays and injections with claims of reversing aging, reducing body fat, improving sex drive, mood, energy, etc.
- However, a 2019 overview in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism warned "beneficial effects of GH in healthy elderly subjects remain to be proven." More research is still needed.
- Free hormone blood testing to identify any deficiencies
- Tailored HGH and/or testosterone replacement regimens
- Ongoing medical monitoring and dosing adjustments
- The latest therapies like peptide injections to stimulate natural HGH
Visit their website today to learn more or book a consultation.
So in summary, HGH has proven benefits when treating diagnosed hormone deficiencies or
muscle loss disorders.
But healthy adults should approach advertisements for anti-aging HGH treatments with caution until more definitive medical research confirms their efficacy and safety across the lifespan. As always, consult your own physician about what's right for your health circumstances.