Does HGH Work?

Human growth hormone (HGH) is being used as a therapy against physical aging but the question is: does HGH work? To attempt to answer this question is to try to navigate a maze of different circumstances and varied types of growth hormone treatment. To begin, it's important to understand that human growth hormone is a hormone normally produced by the human pituitary gland. In children and adolescents, the hormone regulates growth; in adults it plays a role in regulation of bone density, blood sugar, fat metabolism and storage, strength and endurance, and emotional stability.

Does HGH work when treatment is used to treat a properly diagnosed case of growth hormone deficiency? Yes, in some ways. This is the one situation where hormone replacement can and possibly should be used - the condition can be serious. Most other therapeutic HGH uses are illegal, at least in the US. The hormone is synthetically produced and is administered by regular injections. Like most hormone replacement therapies, it aims at returning the patient to an essentially normal state of health, though there may be lasting consequences of the deficiency.

Does HGH work as an anti-aging therapy? There is actually not good scientific evidence that the injected hormone prolongs life, improves physical health, or supports emotional or cognitive health. In fact, the reverse may be true when large amounts of the hormone are used. Studies of therapeutic HGH in seniors have shown increased leanness, increased strength, higher bone density and younger looking skin. However, with the exception of the skin changes, other therapeutic approaches have been equally successful at building strength and bone, and growth hormone injections are significantly associated with side effects.

Does HGH work when the hormone is ingested or sprayed under the tongue instead of being injected? No. the hormone cannot be absorbed and utilized by the body in this way. Over the counter therapeutic HGH products that claim to contain the actual hormone are not only illegal (HGH can only be legally obtained with a prescription), they are making false health claims.

The alternative health industry has created some novel approaches to the problem of providing therapeutic HGH to consumers who are seeking its purported anti aging effects. These are either products intended to boost the pituitary's production of the hormone naturally, or combinations of amino acids designed to mimic the hormone in the body. Does HGH work when it’s delivered like this? Again, scientific evidence is lacking - it's really too soon to say, but the products are, at least, unlikely to do any real harm.

R. Drysdale is a freelance writer with more than 25 years experience as a health care professional. You can learn more about Does HGH Work? on the AntiAging Information site.

What is HGH?

Hormones are chemical messengers made up of amino acids and produced by the endocrine glands to be sent all over the body to stimulate certain activities. Growth, digestion, reproduction and sexual functions in the human body are all triggered by hormones.

HGH or Human Growth Hormone is the most abundant protein hormone produced in the pituitary gland (a pea sized endocrine gland located at the centre of the brain) that stimulates the liver to produce somatomedins, which stimulate growth of bone and muscle. HGH is a very complex hormone made up of 191 amino acids. HGH production occurs largely during adolescence, coming to a peak in our 20's. After that, it declines; reaching a sub-optimal level after 40.

HGH is known to be critical for conversion of body fat to muscle mass, tissue repair, muscle growth, healing, brain function, physical and mental health, bone strength, energy and metabolism. HGH is a powerful hormone that plays an important role in controlling one’s emotions and sexual functions. Adults, who don't have enough HGH, can suffer from lack of energy, muscle weakness, emotional distress, and disintegration of hair, nails, skin and vital organs, etc.

HGH is also often called the "fountain of youth" and elevated levels make one feel younger. Average HGH levels at different ages are: Age 20: average 500 micrograms/day; Age 40: average 200 micrograms/day; Age 80: average 25 micrograms/day.

The body produces less HGH as we get older. However, aging can be prevented if the pituitary gland is adequately stimulated to produce a moderate level of HGH even at a matured age or if supplemented by injections. HGH injections give the following benefits: increase in muscle mass; fat loss; higher energy levels; enhanced sexual performance; greater cardiac output; superior immune function; better kidney function; lowered blood pressure and improved cholesterol profile; stronger bones, hair and skin; faster wound healing; wrinkle removal; sharper vision; mood elevation; and increased memory retention.

The effects of HGH supplementation are beneficial particularly in case of children and young adults. It has been claimed that in case of older adults, too, HGH can build up muscles and reduce body fat. Studies are being conducted to find out if this is true or not. Scientists are skeptical because in older adults, there can be serious side effects like diabetes, joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and fluid accumulation in skin and other tissues, resulting in high blood pressure and heart failure.

Is HGH Enhancement Safe? This question has been hotly debated. HGH has been successfully used in the medical community for over 30 years. According to research, HGH supplements have substantial benefits and no harmful side effects. Who doesn’t want to reverse the aging process? And what better way is there than HGH supplementation?

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Diabetes HGH

The term diabetes HGH is as confusing as the available information on the connection between the two. Diabetes is, of course, a well known disease. Those who suffer from diabetes have high blood sugar levels, either because they cannot produce enough insulin, (a hormone that regulates cell uptake of glucose), or because their cells have become resistant to insulin's effects. Human growth hormone (HGH) is not the same hormone; however, it does play a role in the regulation of blood sugar. The effects of human growth hormone on blood sugar levels are complex and the long term risks of abnormal HGH levels in adults, with respect to diabetes, are not well understood.

To unravel the facts about the relationship between diabetes HGH and insulin, it's important to understand some basic facts. HGH is produced by the pituitary while insulin is produced by the pancreas. Among other things, HGH acts on cells in the liver to stimulate the production of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) – don’t let the name confuse you: this is not insulin. IGF-I, like HGH acts on a number of cells in the body. High levels of IGF-I decrease the uptake of insulin by body cells and the metabolism of glucose in the liver. High levels of IGF-I also decrease production of HGH, which will in turn lead to decreased IGF-I.

Logically, it would seem that a deficiency of human growth hormone should result in low blood sugar levels rather than high while, in diabetes HGH therapy should make things worse. As in many metabolic processes, it's just not that simple. Some sources report that hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a symptom of adult growth hormone deficiency, while others report that the onset of diabetes is a side effect of growth hormone therapy, even in those who have a deficiency (as opposed to people using HGH for anti aging purposes). Meanwhile, increased insulin sensitivity (increased uptake of glucose by cells) resulting in hypoglycemia is also seen in some people receiving growth hormone injections. In children, the onset of diabetes can be a side effect of HGH treatment.

In most patients who have experienced the diabetes HGH treatment combination, but have not had diabetes in the past, discontinuing the hormone treatments has resulted in blood sugar levels returning to normal. Critics point out that the use of growth hormone treatment for anti aging, when no conventional deficiency exists, has only been a practice in the last decade or so. There have not been any studies carried out over a sufficiently long period of time to determine whether there are permanent effects on blood sugar regulation. One thing seems clear: until we know more, people with established blood sugar abnormalities should probably stay away from human growth hormone therapy for anti aging.

R. Drysdale is a freelance writer with more than 25 years experience as a health care professional. You can learn more about diabetes HGH on the AntiAging Information site.

HGH Supplements

The truth behind these supplements are that they simply don’t work, or just do a little of what they advertise. I truly don’t believe in taking these supplements because they are not natural. HGH is a very good substance and it can do lots and lots of positive things in your body, but i only like to have HGH if my body produces it itself. If you want to experiment and spend a small fortune then go ahead. But in the long run you are going to realize that the best way to go is the natural way. HGH supplements are in my opinion scams. If you want to produce natural Human Growth Hormone, then do exercise. Not only are you going to look better, but you are going to feel like a million bucks.

When you do lots of exercise your body producers more HGH levels and you save thousands on HGH injections. That’s why does bodybuilders always have high levels of HGH, because they do exercise on a daily or weekly basis. Here is what MSNBC had to say about HGH, “HGH is somewhat effective in enhancing lean body mass and reducing body fat, especially in men, but the best bet is to stick with diet and physical exercise.” So there you have it more evidence to back up on going the natural route.

Human Growth Hormone pills are basically amino acids in most cases, so they don’t actually do harm to you, but don’t expect a miracle to happen with a pill.

My name is Sara and I like writing for a hobby. For more information on Human Growth Hormone visit HGH