What is Human Growth Hormone (hGH)?

Human Growth hormone (hGH) is a small protein molecule , which contains 191 amino acids in a single polypeptide chain. It is the most common hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. Its rate of production peaks during adolescence when accelerated growth occurs. However, it generally remains in abundance in the pituitary gland ready to be secreted into the body. For some reason unknown, the amount of growth hormone secreted starts to slow after peaking. The measurable level of hGH in our body decreases 14 percent every ten years into old age . This reduced level of secretion occurs over a period of time, which leads to aging. Daily secretion from the pituitary gland diminishes with age to the extent that a 60-year-old man secretes only 25 percent of the hGH secreted by a 20 year old man. .

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hGH is actually released in pulses that take place during the day. I ts release is especially prominent during the beginning phases of sleep . Secreted from the pituitary gland, these pulses are converted in the liver (within 20 minutes) to Insulin-like Growth Factor Type I (IGF-1). Although IGF-1 is not insulin, it acts like insulin as it promotes glucose transfer through cell membranes into the cell. More importantly, IGF-1 elicits most of the effects associated with the growth hormone. It is measured in the blood and is the surrogate marker of growth hormone in the body.

Effects of hGH Enhancement

Effects of hGH enhancements include the loss of fat and wrinkles as well as the growth of hair and gains in muscle. Improvements in sex drive, brain function, vision, immune function, and cholesterol profile have been widely determined as well.

Signs of Declining Hormonal Health

The following are 15 common signs of declining hormonal health:

• Do you go through mood swings easily?
• Do you anger easily?
• Do you have trouble falling or staying asleep?
• Is your sex life declining?
• Do you have problem concentrating?
• Do you often get cold or feel sick?
• Is your total blood cholesterol over 240?
• Is your HDL cholesterol under 50?
• Do you have high blood pressure?
• Does the skin on your face and neck appear to hang?
• Is it getting harder to exercise?
• Is your grip strength weakening?
• Is your endurance level less?
• Is your breathing more labored when you exercise hard?
• Are you age 45 and above?

Symptoms of hGH Deficiency in Adults

There are numerous symptoms to indicate a hGH deficiency. These symptoms can be broken down into at least four different categories.

• Symptoms in anabolic tone include: reduced lean body mass, reduced
  skeletal muscle strength, reduced exercise performance, increased body fat,
  and increased abdominal fat.
• Symptoms in lipid effects: increased LDL cholesterol and decreased
  HDL cholesterol; in bone defects: osteopenia (lack of bone).
• Symptoms in protein synthesis: thin skin, lack of collagen, decreased size
  of organs, decreased nail, and hair growth.
• Symptoms in mental health: reduced energy, emotional instability, poor
  memory and concentration, depression, and reduced sex drive.

source: Dr Michael Lam, www.DrLam.com