“Growth Hormone: Anti-Aging, Athletic Enhancement and Therapeutic Medicine” by Dr. R. Gaines
by Dr. Richard Gaines
Human growth hormone (HGH) has garnered a lot of attention over the last two decades. While some view it as the secret for a competitive edge in athletics, others see it as a way to feel younger. There are also many who suffer from hormone deficiency and turn to HGH injections to function like normal.
Human growth hormone is an important protein produced and secreted by the pituitary gland. Growth hormone levels fluctuate throughout the day after exercise, sleep, and stress. In general, HGH levels increase during childhood, peak during puberty, and then decline steadily afterwards. This hormone serves many important roles in the body. In children and teenagers, it spurs on growth of organs, cartilage, bone, and muscle. In adults and children, it’s responsible for improving protein production, metabolizing fat, interfering with insulin, and more.
Therapeutic Use of Growth Hormone
HGH injections are available by prescription to treat GH deficiency and short stature in children and hormone deficiency in adults. While uncommon, growth hormone in adults is usually caused by a problem with the pituitary gland or hypothylamus. Adults who truly have a growth hormone deficiency can benefit from growth hormone to enjoy increased muscle mass, greater energy, a reduced risk of heart disease, and a lower risk of fractures.
Growth Hormone and Anti-Aging
Growth hormone helps promote greater muscle mass and lower body fat levels. Many men turn to growth hormone injections to reverse signs of aging. In one important study, men who were treated with human growth hormone gained an average of 4.6 pounds of lean muscle mass and shed an equal amount of fat. These men also had lower cholesterol levels.
Growth Hormone and Athletic Performance
Because adults who have HGH deficiency enjoy greater energy, more muscle, and an improved capacity for exercise, it’s no surprise that many athletes have turned to growth hormone to enhance their athletic performance. Growth hormone abuse has been banned by the National Football League, Major League Baseball and many other organizations. Despite this, there are still some athletes who turn to performance-enhancing drugs like growth hormone and risk disqualification.
While human growth hormone has many roles in medicine today, one thing is for sure: for adults and children who have a legitimate need, HGH injections can improve overall health and wellbeing and improve quality of life. Growth hormone is an FDA-approved treatment for hormone deficiency that helps children reach normal height and supports healthy body composition in adults and children alike.