Don’t you think they blow it out of proportion when they say that the human growth hormone (HGH) is “The Fountain of Youth”? Well, it may be true, considering the many benefits that HGH promises.
Childhood growth is fueled by the growth hormone, which in addition to this, helps to maintain optimal body functions such as tissue and organ maintenance throughout human life. Talk about a wonder pill, the human growth hormone is said to help increase energy levels, rejuvenate your skin, and what’s more, your lost hair may also grow back.
These are just minor claims that most manufacturers make on behalf of their products. But don’t invest in a swimsuit just yet. There’s more to this than meets the eye.
The ominous sounding human growth hormone (HGH) is a naturally occurring hormone in the human body that is secreted by the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is located at the base of your brain and is also responsible for many other functions that include secreting the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, and endorphins.
So as you can see, we have for ourselves a very busy organ. As we age, the production of HGH declines. This is a sad fact, given the many benefits that the hormone has in our overall well being. But hope is not lost just yet.
Some years back, biologists saw the need to create a synthetic hormone with equal benefits as the natural growth hormone. Unfortunately, so many of their efforts went down the drain for lack of resources and proper lab equipment. Thanks to advancements in technology, this cannot be said in our era.
Human Growth Hormone Therapy for the Elderly
As we had earlier mentioned, the sunset years of our lives bring a lot of disappointments. They include memory loss, a decrease in bone density, wrinkles, poor performance in bed, and the concentration of fat around the waistline.
Most of these effects are a result of the normal decline of HGH production as we age. However, there is a majority of adults who have a growth hormone deficiency and it’s to such that doctors find it necessary to prescribe synthetic HGH.
On the other hand, synthetic HGH is also used to treat kids who have stunted growth, patients with chronic disease syndrome, patients with Turner Syndrome, and those suffering from the muscle-wasting disease.
Some elderly patients may need human growth hormone therapy because they possess a higher risk of suffering from the effects associated with growth hormone deficiency. Such may include the risk of contracting cardiovascular diseases, reduced vigor, and emotional problems due to a decrease in cognitive functions, low bone density, and sexual dysfunction.
HGH therapy aims at restoring the optimal HGH levels, thus countering most of the effects brought about by its deficiency. When injected with the human growth hormone, most patients may see the following changes:
- An increase in bone density
- Reduced body fat
- An increase in muscle mass
- Increased energy levels
Other Factors That May Cause HGH Deficiency
Apart from the obvious factor of aging, the deficiency of the human growth hormone can also be caused by other factors, including:
- Severe injuries to the head
- Head tumor or tumor in the pituitary gland
- Brain surgery
- Radiation treatment to the head/brain
- Poor supply of blood to the pituitary gland
- A brain infection
- Hormonal imbalance problems
Physicians find it hard to identify problems associated with human growth hormone deficiency as they also cannot easily identify the causes. However, imminent symptoms may help doctors come up with a treatment plan.
On the same note, it’s not clear as to whether HGH deficiency is caused by genetics. Nevertheless, some children may be born with some physical problems that are clear indicators of HGH deficiency.
For instance, children born with a cleft palate will most likely develop a deficiency in HGH later in life. Some children may also be born with HGH deficiency. This condition is known as congenital growth hormone deficiency. If a deficiency in HGH develops later in life, the condition is known as acquired growth hormone deficiency.
Quite a bit of learning there! Now, this may cause the child to have stunted growth and a very low bone density.
Is HGH Therapy Safe On The Elderly?
Elderly patients who are prescribed HGH therapy by their doctors are on the safe side. This is because physicians know the right doses they need and in case of complications, they can always adjust the doses.
Although HGH therapy is relatively effective and safe, there are still some side effects that you may need to know about. They may include numbness, joint and muscle aches, and swelling due to fluid retention.
All the same, it’s very rare to have serious side effects. If you notice any of these conditions, make sure to consult with your doctor immediately.
Contraindications
For as much as you may have some problems associated with HGH deficiency, some health conditions may hinder you from taking HGH injections. Such conditions include severe breathing problems, traumatic injuries, tumors, and cancers.
Does The Human Growth Hormone Slow Aging?
This is an age-old puzzle question that researchers are still trying to solve. On the brighter side, we need to view aging as the inevitable, yet normal process of life. You’ve heard people say that they want to age gracefully. Others will go the extra mile to have cosmetic procedures to enhance their looks and some may actually not care at all.
Growth hormone, despite the many benefits it has to the human body, has been described as the key to slowing down the hands of time. But it’s very important that you get your facts right before you get into any treatments.
The issue of slowing down the aging process has led to so many people to start using synthetic HGH injections to fight the effects that come with aging. There are so many products out there, all with the promise of helping to restore your youthful days.
There are human growth growth hormone releasing supplements that contain naturally-sourced ingredients that manufacturers claim to have the power to boost the production of HGH. These products are known as HGH releasers. The natural ingredients will not only help you to achieve youthful skin, but they will also be essential in boosting other body functions.
So, are there other ways to naturally boost the production of HGH?
Alternative Ways to Boost Human Growth Hormone
You are the skeptical person who has to question the safety in almost anything, then good for you. As they say, not all that glitters is gold. Not every “growth hormone supplement” on the shelves will do what it says.
As the competition and the demand for such products keep increasing, so are ways of creating shortcuts. If you are therefore looking for alternative ways to boost your HGH levels, don’t fret, we’ve got you covered.
Read the pointers below to find out how.
1. High-Intensity Interval Exercises
Exercise is one of the best ways to boost your HGH levels naturally. However, the increase doesn’t come without breaking a sweat. This will mostly depend on the type of exercises you undertake, the intensity, and the types of food you eat while at it.
High-intensity training is known to help increase the production of lactic acid, which helps to increase your HGH levels. The best high-intensity exercises are performed in intervals but with great intensity. In the long term, this will help to decrease your body fat and hormone functions all of which have great benefits to your body.
2. Lose Your Body Fat
Excess body fat has an effect on your HGH levels. It’s been found that those with more belly fat or body fat have a higher chance of affecting their HGH production. In addition to this, excess body fat will also increase your risk of diseases. Minimize the amount of fats you take and exercise regularly to burn the extra fat.
3. Intermittent Fasting
Countless studies have shown that fasting can help boost your HGH levels. Fasting will help to keep your insulin levels on the low. Insulin is one of the hormones that inhibit the production of HGH.
In addition to this, intermittent fasting will also help to reduce your body fat and as we have seen on the previous pointer, body fat affects your HGH levels.
4. Take the Right Supplements
We take supplements for so many reasons. However, not all supplements will be worth taking especially if you want your HGH levels to rise. It’s imperative to read all the nutritional benefits of each ingredient in a supplement. Some of the most beneficial supplements to help with your HGH levels include:
- Glutamine
- Creative
- Ornithine
- Glycine
- Melatonin supplements
- GABA supplements
- Arginine supplements
Having the right optimal levels of HGH is important and the above supplements have been found to be effective in increasing HGH production.
The Bottom Line
Most people have a great deal of concern about aging. It’s normal, but it’s very important to engage your doctor if you happen to see changes you don’t like. As we had earlier mentioned, aging is a natural process of life, which, unfortunately, comes at a cost of affecting your overall health.
Luckily though, there are medical ways to go about it are always available, HGH therapy being one of them, if it’s appropriate for your situation.