What is HGH ?

December 5th, 2007

Human growth hormone (HGH) is produced in the human brain’s pituary gland, located in the endocrine system.  The hormone stimulates growth in children, and for adults it plays an important role in metabolism and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. From the ages of twenty one to thirty one the amount of HGH produced, typically decreases on average by fourteen percent per decade.  HGH defieciency can result in various problems, from wrinkling to poor muscle tone to hair loss.

Previously, scientists worked under the assumption that HGH had a role to play in the human body until the age of puberty and that it was no longer a necessary function after this period of life.  Recent research has indicated that HGH is vital to the maintenance of muscles, bone and collagen, regulating metabolism and controlling body composition.  HGH secretion can be triggered by various natural processes, such as sleep and exercise.  Deficiency of HGH causes various problems, and in adults the effects become more difficult to detect.  Side effects of HGH deficiency include reduction of strength, bone Mass and increased risk to one’s cardiovascular system.  One major effect of HGH deficiency is the aging process.

Excessive HGH growth also causes problems however.  In children for instance an overly tall stature (Giantism) is a known side effect amongst other things.  For adults increased levels can lead to swelling of soft tissues in the body, high blood pressure levels, excessive hair growth, and more easily sweating.

HGH replacement therapy is suggested by medical experts for those with HGH deficiency, and synthetic growth hormone has been available since the mid 1980’s, although this synthetic hormone is often expensive.

People also use different treatments to combat, not the extreme deficiencies, but to reduce ageing.  Many natural treatments are readily available and widely used, however there may be side effects.  Synthetic treatments are not recommended for anyone, unless medically diagnosed with a HGH deficiency.  Always seek medical advice prior to any treatment.