HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE (HGH)

1. What is it and where does it come from?

Growth Hormone, a polypeptide hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that regulates tissue growth, cellular repair, energy levels, fat loss, and muscle growth, is the latest advance in bodybuilding supplementation! Growth Hormone (GH) is the master hormone, because the master gland, the anterior pituitary gland, releases it. While GH is not necessary or critical to one's survival, it seems to play an important evolutionary role in human development. During puberty, GH levels dictate a person's height and bone size. After puberty, GH continues to regulate the body's metabolism.

2. What does it do and what scientific studies give evidence to support this?

Human Growth Hormone levels decline rapidly after age 30. These HGH levels, along with the related IGF-1 amounts, must be elevated in order to maximize muscular size and growth. Human Growth Hormone levels are associated with decreased fat, increased muscle mass, high energy, and increased sex drive. It is HGH that has been found in studies to facilitate the metabolism of fats in the body. HGH is also known for its powerful muscle-building effects. HGH tends to decrease naturally with age, so the older you get, the harder it is to lose fat.

Metabolically speaking, GH is responsible for the regulation of insulin (glucose metabolism), protein synthesis, transportation of amino acids across cell membranes, growth factor-1 (a metabolic liver hormone) and IGF-2, osteoblast production (bone mass) and fat metabolism. GH also has a profound effect on the immune system.

During fetal brain development, GH works closely to stimulate IGF-2 production--known to be one of the primary hormones responsible for cognitive development and IQ in children. IGF-2 is the growth factor that stimulates brain cell growth and development.

Between the ages of 20 and 25, GH production begins a steady decline, and research associates this correspondence with the phenomena we call aging. Somatopause (Soma = GH) is the term used to describe this condition. The human brain shrinks in size by as much as 30% by the time we die, as do other vital organs. Much of this is due to the dramatic drop in the production of somatomedins (growth factors) with age, which in turn are regulated by GH. Within the psychological domain, when GH levels drop, mood levels become less stable and the feelings of youthful resilience (the ability to "bounce back") diminishes.

GH is one of the most extensively researched hormones in the body. Anti-aging specialists focus on its ability to regenerate kidney, lung, heart, and liver tissue.

The majority of GH research has focused on its clinical application at injectable dosage levels (from 1 to 2 I.U.s). However, research is now surfacing regarding the effects of micro-dilution supplementation on quality of life.

Until 1996, GH was cost-prohibitive for the average American, available in injectable form only. Fortunately, the development of advanced delivery systems in 1996 presented Americans with other viable options: oral spray micro-dilution supplementation, and cap/tab supplementation.

3. Therapeutic Effects:

Human Growth Hormone (HGH) has been extensively studied both clinically and theoretically for many decades. It has been referred to as the "Fountain of Youth". It has astounded the medical community with its numerous positive physiological effects on degenerative conditions related to both aging and disease. Higher energy levels, enhanced libido and sexual performance, regrowth of internal organs that shrink with age, and greater cardiac output were reported. In addition, superior immune function, better kidney function, lowering of blood pressure, and improved cholesterol profile (higher HDL and lower LDL) have been documented. Younger, thicker skin with tightening and lessening of wrinkles, hair growth, sharper vision, mood elevation/relief from depression, increased memory retention, improved sleep, decreased recovery time from exercise, muscle strain/injury, and regeneration of tissues in degenerative diseases have also been noted.

4. Pharmacology: HGH supplementation works on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and follows the natural sequence of GH production by stimulating the hypothalamus to produce GHRH, which in turn stimulates the anterior pituitary to release Somatotropin. Revostatin is a Somatostatin suppressant. Somatostatin is the antagonistic hormone that blocks growth hormone production when blood levels of Somatotropin and IGF-1 rise.

5. Indications:

For reversal of the aging process and as an aid to both male and female athletes seeking to safely increase their natural GH production.

6. Precautions:

HGH should not be administered to persons who have not completed their long bone growth i.e.: children or adolescents, without first consulting a health care professional familiar with HGH therapy. In general, HGH supplementation is reserved for individuals over age 20.

7. Side Effects:

No adverse side effects have been reported when used as directed. Follow the directions and recommendations per individual supplement.