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What
is growth hormone?
Human growth
hormone (HGH) is produced in the pituitary gland of humans, and the
hormone is secreted throughout a person's lifetime. It promotes growth
in children and plays an important role in adult metabolism.
It was first isolated in
1956 and its structure was identified in 1972. Until the mid-1980's
the only source of HGH was from pituitary glands collected post mortem.
Today HGH is available in larger quantities through the technique of
genetic engineering and, consequently, a number of conditions apart
from the classical growth hormone insufficiency can be treated.
Growth hormone insufficiency
is a condition caused by a deficiency of natural growth hormone. Without
treatment, Eg boys typically reach a height of 130 cm at the age of
18, compared with a normal height of 162 cm. If treatment with growth
hormone is initiated at an early stage, a final height close to normal
can be obtained.
Turner's Syndrome is a genetic
defect associated with short stature. Turner's syndrome affects girl's
only. It is caused by a defect of one of the x chromosomes.
Chronic Renal Insufficiency
growth retardation is often seen as a clinical manifestation of progressive
chronic renal insufficiency in children. Since dialysis and transplantation
sustain the lives of more children with end-state renal failure, short
stature has become a prominent problem.
Growth hormone deficiency
in adults is either due to a pituitary surgery or onset of growth hormone
insufficiency during childhood. In adults secretion of growth hormone
regulates a number of metabolic processes.
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Growth Hormone Fact!
The daily release of growth hormone
averages about 500 mcg at age 20, then declines to 200 mcg at
age 40, and 25 mcg at age 80.
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Amino Acids Can
Also Stimulate Growth Hormone
There are also many forms of growth hormone stimulants that are
available to the body, including amino acids such as Arginine, Lysine,
Ornithine, and Glutamine that can also stimulate growth hormone
production naturally. It is interesting that recent studies have
found that in addition to exercise, sleep and also sleeplessness
can influence the production of growth hormone at times.
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Human Growth
Hormone - Is It The Fountain Of Youth?
Human Growth Hormone is a
naturally occurring substance in the human body which is secreted
by the pituitary, the master gland of the body located in the
endocrine system. Growth Hormone is important for a number of
reasons, in older individuals, it can slow down and in many cases
even reverse the aging process. Aging is now considered a disease
and not just a normal occurrence which goes unchecked. "I attended the Anti-Aging
Conference in December, 1995 with over 1,000 other physicians
from around the world. Most doctors who attended agreed that Human
Growth Hormone was one of the most exciting advancements in reversing
the disease process since DHEA.", said Dr. Dorman.
Traditionally, it has been used in Europe and the United States
for approximately 15 years with very gratifying results. It has
previously been available by injection only and since injections
can cost between $4,000 and $20,000 a year, only the wealthy
have been able to afford this treatment.
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Growth Hormone
and Aging
Growth hormone declines with
age in every animal species that have been tested to date. In
humans, the amount of growth hormone after the age of 21 to 31
falls about 14% per decade, so that the total 24-hour growth hormone
production rate is reduced in half by the age of 60. In numerical
values, we produce on a daily basis about 500 micrograms at 20
years of age , 200 micrograms at 40 years , and 25 micrograms
at 80 years old.
The easiest way to measure growth
hormone in the body is by measuring plasma IGF-1 levels. Under
350 IU is considered evidence of deficiency. Between the ages
of 20 to 40 years, less than 5% of healthy men have less than
350 IU per liter of IGF-1 levels. But after 60, 30% of apparently
healthy men have this low amount. And after age 65, about half
the population is partially or wholly deficient in growth hormone.
Total daily hGH secretion declines
in humans with increasing age. "Elderly" levels are
reached by age 35-40.
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Hormones
that enhance the effects of growth hormone
There are many hormones which work with growth hormone and can help
it work more effectively in the body. They are Estrogen, Progesterone,
Melatonin, DHEA, and Thyroid Hormone.
Estrogen: Slows the loss of minerals from bones and
increases blood clotting, however, it decreases oxygen metabolism
to the cells and is known to be a factor in breast and uterine cancer.
Progesterone: Essential for the metabolism of glucose and
the proper formation of bones, progesterone stimulates the production
of new heart cells in the body and suppresses cancer growth.
Melatonin: Produced naturally
in the brain by the pineal gland, it stimulates the production of
growth hormone and reduces free-radical damage. Melatonin has the
ability to stabilize the body's biological rhythms and stimulate
the immune system.
DHEA: One of the most powerful hormones for improving brain
function, DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is the most abundant hormone
found in the bloodstream. The function of DHEA is to serve as a
precursor for all other hormones in the body by supplying the body
with what it needs to maintain an optimum balance of all hormones
that regulate metabolic functions. As we age, the level of DHEA
declines dramatically. Low levels of DHEA are linked to such conditions
as diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, heart disease, arthritis,
and many other symptoms associated with aging.
Thyroid Hormone: Thyroid
hormones regulate metabolism in every cell. Without these hormones
the body's altered metabolism can result in chronic fatigue, or
depression. Thyroid hormones can also be extremely useful in overcoming
decreased metabolism often associated with prolonged obesity. However,
there is concern for potential side effects, therefore they should
only be prescribed by a physician.
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