Safety of Human Growth Hormone Treatments (HGH)

The growing popularity of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) treatments has led to many questions in regards to it's use as an supplement to slow and reverse aging.

Human Growth Hormone Introduction

By now you have probably heard or seen articles and commercials on "HGH" or Human Growth Hormone treatments that promises to reverse the signs of aging. We've probably have seen Sylvester Stallone recently who is technically a senior citizen but looks as if he was in his prime in his 30's and who admits to using HGH as a supplement. But what is HGH exactly?

Human Growth Hormone or HGH is a peptide hormone secreted in the brain by the anterior pituitary gland, a pea sized gland at the base of the brain. Human Growth Hormone enhances tissue growth by stimulating protein formation. In children and younger people HGH drives cell growth to develop our bodies and our cognitive abilities. But as we enter our 30s and 40s, HGH levels in our bodies begins to slowly decline. Metabolism starts to decline significantly at middle age and this is the time where most people will feel the obvious changes in energy and looks in their bodies. Between the ages of 40 and 65, our muscle mass declines along with our strength, vision and hearing. As we approach the 60's, people experience cognitive declines as well. And as we become senior citizens, skin wrinkles and we lose our skin elasticity. Joints decay and bones may become brittle. Essentially, our bodies loses its ability to regenerate cells as the aging process starts taking a toll in our bodies. Levels of HGH in our bodies are only 20% of what they were in childhood.

Proponents of using HGH treatments say that raising the HGH levels in our bodies can help us slow and reverse aging, everything from weight loss to reversing aging damage to our organ tissue.

A genetically engineered Human Growth Hormone, called Serostim, has recently been approved by Federal Drug Administration as a medical treatment for muscle regeneration in AIDS patients. HGH is considered a building block hormone because it controls many functions of the body. It is responsible for youthful skin, bone density, vitality, brain functions, stamina and all of the health benefits we associate with being younger. HGH is basically a cell re-generator to our bodies our entire lives.

In a small scale study published in 1990 in the New England Journal of Medicine, HGH researchers injected a dozen healthy adult males aged 61-80 with Human Growth Hormone for six months. At the end of the trial period, these men showed reduced levels body fat, leaner and more muscular bodies. Men in this trial did not alter their diet or exercise habits yet they lost an average of 14% of their body fat, while gaining an average of 8.8% lean muscle mass. Their skin became firmer and they experienced a localized increase in bone density. In essence, HGH was shown not only to slow but reverse aging.

Before these studies, Human Growth Hormones was known to promote growth in children and help metabolism processes in adults. The body always secretes this hormone naturally throughout or lifetimes, albeit in decreasing amounts as we age. The amount of HGH is measured by checking the levels or IGF-1 or Insulin Growth Factor.

HGH is currently administered to patients by injections and orally. The costs of having HGH injected run as high as $15,000 per year. HGH supplements costs much less but still it can run several thousands dollars a year for reputable HGH supplements.