What’s the deal with HGH? Why is it important and why should I care if I’m deficient?
Great questions.
Human Growth Hormone (HGH or GH for short) plays several important roles including the maintenance of lean body mass, promoting fat-burning, improving the cardiovascular system, as well as a few cognitive benefits.
From aerobic endurance to building lean muscle, GH is involved in quite a bit. And while Growth Hormone gets its name from its important role in childhood development, it’s purpose extends far into adulthood. Even through adult life, it remains one of the most abundant hormones in the pituitary gland.
But as we continue to age, GH production declines, which starts to produce unwelcome side effects. Low levels of GH have been associated with reductions in muscle mass and strength as well as an increase in body fat, especially belly fat.
Additionally, there have been side effects of aging that have also been associated with a decrease in nighttime growth hormone secretion. These include a decrease in memory and cognitive function and sleep disorders.
And while these declines only show an association between aging and low GH levels, it led to the assumed conclusion that replacing or stimulating GH could reverse some of the aging-related symptoms.
What is HGH?
HGH is important throughout life. But what exactly is it? Human growth hormone is a proteohormone secreted by the pituitary gland. It acts through binding to the hGH receptor, inducing either direct effects or initiating the production of insulin-like growth-factor I (IGF-I), the most important mediator of hGH effects.
It helps with a variety of things including building new muscle, reducing body fat, increasing energy, slowing the aging process and more.
But GH is more than just an “anti-aging” formula. In fact, there are several dangers that are associated with GH deficiencies. Body composition is often significantly different marked by an increase in fat, predominantly in the stomach, and a decrease in muscle mass, which leads to reduced muscle strength and exercise capacity.
Weight is harder to control and the general well-being of GH deficient adults may be affected, leading to reduced vitality and energy.
What Causes HGH deficiency?
While aging is the primary cause, a variety of other factors can cause a decline including sleep, food intake, exercise, stress, and body composition. Furthermore, Adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) is becoming more common and has been thought to be associated with premature mortality.
See, starting in your 30s, there is a slow decline of GH secretion. You lose about 15% every decade. GH secretion typically peaks in puberty at about 150 µg/kg day, then decreases to approximately 25 µg/kg/day by age 55.
Additionally, damage to the pituitary gland, whether as an adult or child, can further decrease GH secretions. As GH secretions continue to drop, the psychological well being may also be impaired and this comes in the form of depressed moods and increased anxiety levels.
Bone mass is reduced and combined with an increase in body fat, can lead to sarcopenic obesity and frailty. The decline in GH may also play a role in cognitive changes observed with aging. One of the many systems for classifying different cognitive domains is grouping them as either “crystallized” or “fluid” intelligence.
Crystallized intelligence generally refers to vocabulary and long-term memory; whereas fluid intelligence includes short term memory and active problem-solving and demonstrates a more marked age-related decline. Several studies have shown a correlation between plasma IGF-I concentrations and performance on tests of fluid intelligence, suggesting that GH may play a role in the maintenance of fluid intelligence.
Finally, over the past decade, there has been shown a drastic increase in premature death for those associated with hypopituitarism. Sadly, there is a 200-300% increase in standardized mortality in people with hypopituitarism.
What To Look For
Symptoms can come in a variety of forms including cognitive, cardiac, muscular, metabolic, and bone symptoms. Some of the more prominent symptoms include:
- Anxiety and depression
- A decrease in muscle mass and strength
- A decrease in sexual function/interest
- Fatigue/low energy
- Elevated triglyceride levels
- Difficulty concentrating or lack of memory
- Increased abdominal fat
- Reduced vitality and energy
And those are just some of the most frequently seen symptoms. Changes in memory, processing speed, and attention are greatly reduced. Psychological effects such as social isolation, low self-esteem, poor self-control, and poor marital and socio-economic performance are also possible.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, a simple blood test can help determine if you’re suffering from an HGH deficiency.
Treatment Options
If you’ve started to notice some of the symptoms creeping into your life, it’s best to get tested. The earlier you catch these symptoms, the more likely you’ll have successful treatment outcomes.
It starts with a blood test to determine your levels. From there, a trained clinician can make treatment recommendations based on your levels. And one of the most promising treatments options available today is HGH Peptide Therapy.
Some of the benefits you can expect to see with peptide therapy include:
- increased lean muscle mass due to growth of new muscle cells
- improved workouts and recovery
- reduced body fat
- increased energy, strength and stamina
- deeper more restful sleep
- decreased joint and muscle pain
- increased sex drive
- improved skin tone and texture resulting in fewer wrinkles
- improved mental clarity
- accelerated wound healing
- stronger immune system
- thicker, fuller hair
- increased bone density and bone strength
- faster recovery from injuries
- slowed aging process
What Is A Peptide?
A peptide is a short chain of amino acids, a sequence in the body. Therapy with peptides uses those sequences already present to regulate and rejuvenate functions, basically they bind to and tell other cells what to do, replacing or mimicking the functions of naturally occurring peptides. Peptides have the capability to rewrite body chemistry relationships to promote restoration, anabolism, and homeostasis.
Is It Safe?
Yes…when you use HGH Peptides.
HGH peptides are a well-tolerated and safe way to increase your natural production of human growth hormone. There are over 60 approved peptides available, and we often prescribe a combination of peptides for optimal results.
Synthetic HGH (Somatropin), on the other hand, has been wildly popularized by the fitness community as a way to pack on extra muscle and burn fat. But there is a massive difference between the two. Check out the table below to see some of the main differences.
When Can I Expect To See Results?
While patients will notice some significant increases in changes in the body after the first month, the full-benefits are usually fully noticed after three to six months of therapy.
Month 1
- Ease of mind, contentedness, better attitude
- Increased energy
- Improved stamina
- Deeper, more restful sleep
- Weight loss/decreased body fat
Month 2
- Improved skin, reduced wrinkles
- Stronger nails and hair
- Increased muscle tone
- Increased metabolism
- Reduction in belly fat
Month 3
- Noticeable feelings of ambition
- Enhanced sex drive and performance
- Improved mental focus
- Better flexibility
- Improved joint health
Month 4
- Continued weight reduction
- Improved skin elasticity
- Increased lean muscle mass
Month 5
- Noticeably fuller and healthier hair
- Reduced appearance of wrinkles, better skin tone
- Continued reduction in belly fat
Month 6
- 5-10% reduction in body fat (without exercise/diet)
- 10% increase in lean muscle mass
- Improved vitality due to organ regrowth
- Greatly improved physique
Contact Our Clinics To Learn More About HGH Peptide Therapy
Growth hormone secretagogues are a new, innovative therapy that increases one’s own natural human growth hormone production treating age-related conditions, slowing the aging process. HGH peptides are a well-tolerated and safe way to increase your natural production of human growth hormone.
At Limitless Male, there are over 60 approved peptides available, and we often prescribe a combination of peptides for optimal results. Peptides are appropriate for men and women alike, no matter your age.
If HGH Peptide Therapy is something you’d like to learn more about, you can check out our HGH Peptide Therapy options.
