What is HGH?
Human growth hormone (HGH) is the name for the hormone that stimulates growth in humans, especially of the skeletal and muscular tissues. HGH controls most of the major body functions, promotes tissue repair, aids cell regeneration in the bones, muscles, and vital organs, and helps the immune system fight infection and disease. The human body naturally produces HGH, though the amount decreases with age. Many of the effects of aging are thought to be associated with the declining levels of HGH in the body.
The human growth hormone is a protein hormone, also known as somatotropin and somatotropic hormone (STH). HGH is produced and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland in the center of the brain. It is comprised of 191 amino acids strung together in a long polypeptide chain. HGH is produced during the first couple of hours of a person's deep sleep and secreted into the bloodstream in pulses, not a constant steady stream. HGH travels in the bloodstream for only a short amount of time, where it is converted into insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). The benefits a person derives from HGH is a result of this conversion process. HGH affects the body by stimulating metabolism and protein synthesis.
While the amount of HGH in the body changes thru out a lifetime, the levels are highest during early childhood and puberty at which time HGH is responsible for physical growth. In both children and adults, it helps to maintain healthy body composition and metabolism (that is, to improve a persons ratio of fat to lean body mass). Even though HGH has been the subject of a great amount of study and much has been learned, it is a very complex substance and all of it's effects on the body are still not fully known.
History of HGH Replacement Therapy
Although the human growth hormone was discovered in 1956, it wasn't until 1972 that researchers and scientists identified it's structure and were able to determine how HGH performed in the human body. Once they knew that the hormone played a significant role in promoting growth, the next step was to use the information to help people with growth related problems. They hoped to develop a treatment for children who weren't growing at a normal rate, in order to help them increase their growth and reach a more normal height as adults.
Treatment was developed, and ever since, controversy over the social and ethical implications has surrounded growth hormone therapy. At first, growth hormone was extracted from the pituitary glands of human cadavers, sold at very high prices, and injected with needles into the body of deficient children. It wasn't until mid 1998 that the 191 chain HGH molecule was genetically engineered in the laboratory. HGH is now produced synthetically and used for a variety of reasons in both children and adults.
HGH in Adults
Many studies have been done in recent years concerning the use of HGH in adults. Some of the findings indicate that increasing the level of HGH in adults raises energy levels, enhances lean muscle, decreases body fat, strengthens the heart and bones, improves cholesterol levels, smooths out wrinkles, boosts memory, improves sexual function, regenerates damaged tissues, aids the immune system, and improves sleep.
HGH supplementation has been considered for many uses. HGH therapy is currently used to treat people with significant wasting (weight loss). Administering HGH has been shown to help maintain muscle mass in people with HIV-related wasting. HGH has also attracted interest from athletes wanting to increase their athletic performance and muscle growth.
During the research and study of HGH, it was found that the amount of HGH in the body was abundant in young people but decreased in people as they got older. While the findings were first considered a natural process of aging, many began to wonder if increasing the amount of HGH in older adults would help counteract the course of nature.
HGH and Anti-Aging Benefits
Many medical professionals, supporters of both modern and alternative medicine, are speaking out about the benefits of HGH therapy in adults as a way to help offset the effects of aging. Many believe that increasing HGH levels in people as they age will help them avoid many of the diseases and conditions associated with aging as well as help improve their energy and appearance.
While there are many supporters of using HGH replacement therapy for anti-aging benefits within the medical community, it should also be noted that some disagree with the reported benefits and some are awaiting more information. At this time definitive data on the benefits of HGH and other effects are not yet available. What can't be ignored, however, is the testimonials of so many users of HGH products that are believers in the results.