Up to this point, the only form of human growth hormone supplementation that has been analyzed is the use of injectable HGH. With its high cost, $10,000 to $15,00 per year17, it is out of the price range for the vast majority of people. Because of the cost, many people are turning to other forms of growth hormone with hopes that they will provide the same results that many claim to experience from injectable HGH. For the most part, these various forms do nothing for the patient, primarily because they are not using true HGH. Human growth hormone is illegal to import personally; a prescription from a doctor is the only way to receive growth hormone legally in the United States. It is also not possible for an oral tablet of growth hormone to be of any benefit, because it is digested in the stomach and rendered ineffective.10 These other treatment options are not truly growth hormone, but in fact try to stimulate the various glands to produce more growth hormone. There has been very little qualified research done on these supplements, and their benefits have not been proven to live up to some companys' extravagant claims.
Human growth hormone is an extremely complex substance and its full effects are not yet completely understood. Some doctors would like to see growth hormone eliminated completely, and avoid further research. To avoid researching human growth hormone further would be a tremendous mistake. The possibilities of this hormone having an outstanding effect on humans are far too great to abandon it. It remains to be seen if an additional ingredient could boost its effectiveness safely and effectively, if the delivery methods could be improved, or if the proper dosage could be discovered. All of these questions require serious research in order to understand the full range of benefits and effects that HGH has on a person. For now, and when the full benefits and side effects are better documented, it is up to each individual to decide whether human growth hormone supplementation is something he or she is willing to take a chance on. Each person must weigh the various issues surrounding the growth hormone, and make an informed decision for themselves. Regulation of the substance may be necessary for sports competitions, but other people should have the opportunity to make a decision on their own.
Sunday, 8 November 2009
Saturday, 7 November 2009
The side effects of HGH human growth hormone.
To only paint a picture of growth hormone doing good things would be an injustice. The truth is, there can be many side effects with the use of human growth hormone and it can also put a person at risk for other diseases. Side effects include an increase in blood pressure, fluid retention, carpal tunnel syndrome, and joint pain. 11,13,14 The use of growth hormone has also been tied to an increase in insulin resistance which leads to diabetes. 12,16 Diabetes as a result of HGH supplementation was also reported by Dr. Rudman in his report. 11 One man used HGH successfully for a time, but eventually came down with diabetes which doctors linked to his growth hormone use. 12 A 6 month study on the effects of HGH on diabetes showed that while insulin resistance was at first increased, after 6 months of growth hormone use the testers' insulin levels returned to the levels before their growth hormone use.
The claim that human growth hormone is a cause of diabetes is surprising since two medical studies state just the opposite, that in fact IGF-1 could be a replacement for insulin. These two studies, reported in 1991 in Medical World News, had the results of these tests. Dr. Zenobi of the University of Zurich in Switzerland observed that when IGF-1 levels were increased, blood glucose, insulin, and c-peptide levels were significantly lowered. He reported that type-II diabetes may be reduced by growth hormone's use. 15 Along with Dr. Zenobi's results were those of Dr. Schalch of the University of Wisconsin . His test results demonstrated a decrease in the levels of blood glucose and insulin levels with the use of growth hormone. 15 These results appear to be entirely contradictory to each other and display the confusion there is in the growth hormone field. How can human growth hormone both cause diabetes in some, yet in medical studies be linked to its decrease? It is an area which is quite unclear. It is possible that those who have diabetes already may respond differently to the hormone's use than those who do not yet have the disease. Another possible explanation is that the differing results may be due to the amount of time taking growth hormone. In Dr. Zenobi's study, his results were measured after only 5 days of growth hormone use.
The boom of HGH use in the elderly in the past 10 years is not surprising. It is clear that many people would rather possibly cut their life short by a year but live each year to its fullest. This thought seems to come up consistently with each elderly person who uses it. Alan Mendelssohn, a senior who, along with his wife, takes growth hormone, sums it up by saying, “We want to feel as good and look as good as we can.”
The claim that human growth hormone is a cause of diabetes is surprising since two medical studies state just the opposite, that in fact IGF-1 could be a replacement for insulin. These two studies, reported in 1991 in Medical World News, had the results of these tests. Dr. Zenobi of the University of Zurich in Switzerland observed that when IGF-1 levels were increased, blood glucose, insulin, and c-peptide levels were significantly lowered. He reported that type-II diabetes may be reduced by growth hormone's use. 15 Along with Dr. Zenobi's results were those of Dr. Schalch of the University of Wisconsin . His test results demonstrated a decrease in the levels of blood glucose and insulin levels with the use of growth hormone. 15 These results appear to be entirely contradictory to each other and display the confusion there is in the growth hormone field. How can human growth hormone both cause diabetes in some, yet in medical studies be linked to its decrease? It is an area which is quite unclear. It is possible that those who have diabetes already may respond differently to the hormone's use than those who do not yet have the disease. Another possible explanation is that the differing results may be due to the amount of time taking growth hormone. In Dr. Zenobi's study, his results were measured after only 5 days of growth hormone use.
The boom of HGH use in the elderly in the past 10 years is not surprising. It is clear that many people would rather possibly cut their life short by a year but live each year to its fullest. This thought seems to come up consistently with each elderly person who uses it. Alan Mendelssohn, a senior who, along with his wife, takes growth hormone, sums it up by saying, “We want to feel as good and look as good as we can.”
Friday, 6 November 2009
HGH use in the elderly.
Although there is limited data on the use of growth hormone in athletes, there have been a significant amount of tests done on the elderly. The first scientific study on growth hormone in the elderly came out in 1990. Published by Dr. Rudman in the New England Journal of Medicine, the report showed the first findings of beneficial use of HGH in the elderly. The results of the effects of growth hormone on 12 elderly men, healthy in every way except a low level of IGF-1, were recorded. After receiving growth hormone for 6 months, the men had a 9% increase in muscle mass, a 14% decrease in fat, and a thickening of the skin.11 The most influential part of this report on growth hormone was Rudman's statement on the results of the test in which he wrote, "The effects of six months of human growth hormone on lean body mass and adipose-tissue mass were equivalent in magnitude to the changes incurred during 10 to 20 years of aging."11 Rudman was effectively claiming that human growth hormone reversed the aging process. This report and Rudman's statement effectively set off the growth hormone explosion. All types of people began to pursue the use of this hormone in order to increase performance or decrease the effects of aging.
Even with all of the evidence on the benefits of human growth hormone, the hormone is currently an extremely controversial topic. Many leading scientists denounce it as at best worthless, and at worst the cause of extreme side effects. One outspoken critic is Dr. Stephen Barrett, M.D. of Quackwatch.org. His website seeks to "combat health-related frauds, myths, fads, and fallacies."11 Dr. Barrett admits that growth hormone levels decrease with age, however, he goes on to say that, "Considering the high cost, significant side effects, and lack of proven effectiveness, HGH shots appear to be a very poor investment." It is worth mentioning that the people who have felt significant benefits from supplementing with growth hormones would strongly disagree with Dr. Barrett's statement. The results from using growth hormone are in the eyes of the user, and it is the user alone who can determine whether growth hormone is worth the investment.
Even with all of the evidence on the benefits of human growth hormone, the hormone is currently an extremely controversial topic. Many leading scientists denounce it as at best worthless, and at worst the cause of extreme side effects. One outspoken critic is Dr. Stephen Barrett, M.D. of Quackwatch.org. His website seeks to "combat health-related frauds, myths, fads, and fallacies."11 Dr. Barrett admits that growth hormone levels decrease with age, however, he goes on to say that, "Considering the high cost, significant side effects, and lack of proven effectiveness, HGH shots appear to be a very poor investment." It is worth mentioning that the people who have felt significant benefits from supplementing with growth hormones would strongly disagree with Dr. Barrett's statement. The results from using growth hormone are in the eyes of the user, and it is the user alone who can determine whether growth hormone is worth the investment.
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Use of HGH in athletics
Aside from anecdotal evidence, some scientific studies display that HGH has little or no affect on athletes. One early study done in 1988 tested eight athletes for six weeks and showed that body fat decreased by a significant amount, however, muscle levels were not tested.5 In 1992, Kevin Yarasheski led a major study of athlete's performance done on 18 young men at the Washington University School of Medicine. Each man went through 12 weeks of resistance training.6 The muscles were measured at the end of the test, and all of the men had muscle gains.6 However, there were no differences in gained muscle size between the group who received the growth hormone, and the group who received the placebo.6 In 1995, Yarasheski headed another test on growth hormone. This time the strength of men was tested, but on a group of men averaging 67 years of age.6 The same results occurred with the older men; there were gains in muscle size and strength, but the group that actually received HGH did not have any better gains than those who did not use the hormone.6
Another study of 18 healthy men with ages ranging from 65-82 years, went through 14 weeks of weight training before receiving HGH or a placebo.7 The group that received human growth hormone saw significant increases in lean body mass, and a loss of fat.7 However, this did not translate into better performance. The two groups' overall muscle size gains were the same, as tested by using needle biopsies.7 Even though the muscular gains were the same, the significantly greater decrease in fat by the group that used HGH could be seen as a great benefit of the hormone for many people.
Another study of 18 healthy men with ages ranging from 65-82 years, went through 14 weeks of weight training before receiving HGH or a placebo.7 The group that received human growth hormone saw significant increases in lean body mass, and a loss of fat.7 However, this did not translate into better performance. The two groups' overall muscle size gains were the same, as tested by using needle biopsies.7 Even though the muscular gains were the same, the significantly greater decrease in fat by the group that used HGH could be seen as a great benefit of the hormone for many people.
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Use of HGH by athletes
Although the primary use of growth hormone was for short children, other people have found a use for it. Athletes began to use it to boost their performance in all types of sports. The use of HGH first came into the public's eyes in the 1988 Tour de France, where several cyclists were arrested for using the growth hormone.4 HGH is now banned from the Olympics and other major sports competitions as a result. Even without all of the research, the ban of growth hormone for the Olympics gives strong evidence that athletes are using it, and using it effectively to increase performance. One of the best examples of a performance increase due to growth hormone was a test done in 2003 on Stuart Stevens, who served as a guinea pig for tests of growth hormone and other substances to see how they would improve his performance for a long distance cycling race.2
This 8 month test of various substances improved his performance dramatically.2 Not all of the performance boost can be attributed to growth hormone, as he was taking steroids and other performance boosters. However, one significant result of his HGH use was better vision.2 He reported that his vision became perfect while using the growth hormone, and once he discontinued its use his sight returned to its previous state of nearly requiring glasses.2 Another example comes from a competition level bodybuilder in Ireland who reported that "It [HGH] was certainly more effective in building muscle than any course of steroids."3 Since growth hormone is banned from major competitions, extensive reporting of high level athletes use of the hormone is not available due to the required secrecy of its use. Finally, because growth hormone is produced naturally by the body, creating a method to detect illegal use of the substance in athletes is difficult. It is hoped that a valid solution to the problem will be ready in time for the Athens Olympics in 2004.
This 8 month test of various substances improved his performance dramatically.2 Not all of the performance boost can be attributed to growth hormone, as he was taking steroids and other performance boosters. However, one significant result of his HGH use was better vision.2 He reported that his vision became perfect while using the growth hormone, and once he discontinued its use his sight returned to its previous state of nearly requiring glasses.2 Another example comes from a competition level bodybuilder in Ireland who reported that "It [HGH] was certainly more effective in building muscle than any course of steroids."3 Since growth hormone is banned from major competitions, extensive reporting of high level athletes use of the hormone is not available due to the required secrecy of its use. Finally, because growth hormone is produced naturally by the body, creating a method to detect illegal use of the substance in athletes is difficult. It is hoped that a valid solution to the problem will be ready in time for the Athens Olympics in 2004.
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
HGH Human Growth Hormone Research and Information
From the beginning of time man has sought a way to extend life, reverse the aging process, and live forever. Up to this point, nothing has proven to be significantly viable for this purpose. However, the greatest advance in man’s ability to “turn back the clock” may now be available to us. The human growth hormone (HGH or Somatotropin) has produced increases in the levels of insulin-like growth hormone 1 (IGF-1). There is a direct connection between the level of this hormone in a human’s body, and their age. As observed by many scientists, if this hormone could be kept at the levels of youth, then would the aging process be slowed down, or even stopped altogether? It is a question that has spawned much controversy within the ranks of physicians, with many leading doctors on both sides of the issue.
The discovery of this new hormone has resulted in many private sellers attempting to make profit from the sale of this product in various forms. HGH is administered via injection by doctors who give growth hormone to their patients. However, many sellers are now offering the hormone in pill, spray, and homeopathic forms. Although the cost of the product in these forms may only be 5% of the cost of injection treatments, the effectiveness of these others forms is questionable. The benefits of HGH are very real, but so are the side effects; It is up to the individual to determine whether the possible benefits outweigh the possible side effects.
The discovery of this new hormone has resulted in many private sellers attempting to make profit from the sale of this product in various forms. HGH is administered via injection by doctors who give growth hormone to their patients. However, many sellers are now offering the hormone in pill, spray, and homeopathic forms. Although the cost of the product in these forms may only be 5% of the cost of injection treatments, the effectiveness of these others forms is questionable. The benefits of HGH are very real, but so are the side effects; It is up to the individual to determine whether the possible benefits outweigh the possible side effects.
Sunday, 1 November 2009
How HGH was first used.
The human growth hormone was first used to boost the height of abnormally small children. There are currently over 400,000 small children who could meet the requirements for administration of HGH to boost their height as adults.1 Eli Lilly of Eli Lilly Co., the creator of Humatrope, a FDA approved human growth hormone treatment which will make human growth hormone available to many more short children, performed a double blind study on the effectiveness of the hormone. The results showed that 1.5 to 3 inches could safely be added to a child's final adult height by using this hormone.1 The time frame for this growth is widely accepted as two inches per year for a child who has not reached puberty.1 It is clear that injecting human growth hormone into children with stunted growth can boost their height, and it is widely accepted as a beneficial treatment for children with stunted growth.
Feel stronger and rejuvenated with human growth hormone
HGH, produced by the pituitary gland, controls muscle and bone growth and lowers the amount of fat in the body
The major role of HGH is to stimulate the liver and other tissues to secrete IGF-I. IGF-I stimulates the proliferation of chondrocytes (cartilage cells), resulting in bone growth. IGF-I also appears to be the key player in muscle growth. It stimulates both the differentiation and proliferation of myoblasts. It also stimulates amino acid uptake and protein synthesis in muscle and other tissues.
In addition, HGH has important consequences for protein, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. In some cases, a direct effect of growth hormone has been clearly demonstrated, in others, IGF-I is thought to be the critical mediator, and in some cases it appears that both direct and indirect effects are at play.
Growth hormone production is modulated by many factors, including stress, exercise, nutrition, sleep and growth hormone itself. However, its primary controllers are two hypothalamic hormones and one hormone from the stomach.
HGH levels dramatically decline with age. By the age of 60 most people will have approximately 80% less growth hormone in their system than when they were 20. Signs of GH reduction include increased body fat, increased anxiety, social isolation, poor general health, and lack of positive well being.
In 1988 Dr. Daniel Rudman discovered that when HGH was administered to his elderly patients, within several weeks they all noticed significant improvement. The benefits included a general feeling of enhanced well being, a reduction in feelings of depression, a decline in fat cells, an increase in lean muscle mass and, after a few months, increased skin thickness and elasticity.
Another important benefit from growth hormone replacement is strengthening of the immune system. Infections decrease, recovery from illness is aided, allergies improve and immune related diseases such as arthritis become less bothersome. The immune system is an important defense against cancer and it seems logical that cancer might, to some extent, be prevented by growth hormone. Although it has been speculated that growth hormone might speed the growth of cancer, that has not been seen in clinical practice. In fact, improved immunity might logically be expected to reduce the risk of malignancy and speed healing from a treated cancer.
The major role of HGH is to stimulate the liver and other tissues to secrete IGF-I. IGF-I stimulates the proliferation of chondrocytes (cartilage cells), resulting in bone growth. IGF-I also appears to be the key player in muscle growth. It stimulates both the differentiation and proliferation of myoblasts. It also stimulates amino acid uptake and protein synthesis in muscle and other tissues.
In addition, HGH has important consequences for protein, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. In some cases, a direct effect of growth hormone has been clearly demonstrated, in others, IGF-I is thought to be the critical mediator, and in some cases it appears that both direct and indirect effects are at play.
Growth hormone production is modulated by many factors, including stress, exercise, nutrition, sleep and growth hormone itself. However, its primary controllers are two hypothalamic hormones and one hormone from the stomach.
HGH levels dramatically decline with age. By the age of 60 most people will have approximately 80% less growth hormone in their system than when they were 20. Signs of GH reduction include increased body fat, increased anxiety, social isolation, poor general health, and lack of positive well being.
In 1988 Dr. Daniel Rudman discovered that when HGH was administered to his elderly patients, within several weeks they all noticed significant improvement. The benefits included a general feeling of enhanced well being, a reduction in feelings of depression, a decline in fat cells, an increase in lean muscle mass and, after a few months, increased skin thickness and elasticity.
Another important benefit from growth hormone replacement is strengthening of the immune system. Infections decrease, recovery from illness is aided, allergies improve and immune related diseases such as arthritis become less bothersome. The immune system is an important defense against cancer and it seems logical that cancer might, to some extent, be prevented by growth hormone. Although it has been speculated that growth hormone might speed the growth of cancer, that has not been seen in clinical practice. In fact, improved immunity might logically be expected to reduce the risk of malignancy and speed healing from a treated cancer.
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