HGH (human growth hormone)

Human growth hormone is an important mediator of the human growth process. This hormone is produced endogenously by the anterior pituitary gland, and exist at especially high levels during child hood. Its growth supporting effects  are broad and can be separated into three main categories which are bone, skeletal muscle, and internal organs. It also supports protein, carbohydrate, lipid, and mineral metabolism, and can stimulate the growth of connective tissues. Although vital to the roles of early development, human growth hormone is produced throughout adulthood. Its production and biological role decline significantly with age however, but continue to support metabolism and muscle and tissue growth throughout life. In a medical setting this drug  is used to treat a number of distinct health conditions. It is most notably associated with pituitary deficient dwarfism, a disease in which growth is hindered due to the body’s lack of natural growth hormone production. The first human growth hormone medications were made from pituitary extracts of human origin. These were commonly referred to as cadaver growth hormone preparations. It was later determined that using these preparations was causing patients to develop the fatal brain disorder CJD. Because of this, the FDA banned the cadaver made preparations of this drug. Years later, synthetic methods of producing human growth hormone were developed and the FDA approved them in 1985 for medical use.

In terms of the use of human growth hormone for strength athletes and bodybuilders, the effects are two fold. First, it has been demonstrated that consistent administration of human growth hormone can help to promote loss of body fat. In part this is due to the ability of the compound to cause cells in the body to increase the rate with which they utilize fats while also decreasing the rate that carbohydrates are used. This fat loss is achieved because of the ability of growth hormone to stimulate triglyceride hydrolysis in adipose tissue as well. In conjunction with this, human growth hormone helps to promote the movement of amino acids through cell membranes. This, along with the fact that growth hormone promotes the growth of the cells in the body and increases the rate at which these cells divide and multiple, obviously indicates that it is also capable of enhancing anabolism if used at appropriate doses. Many users also have an interest in using human growth hormone for the ability of the compound to help heal existing injuries and prevent new ones from occurring. There is some evidence that growth hormone can help to promote the production of new and regeneration of damaged cartilage when used in conjunction with insulin-like growth factor. It is actually the insulin-like growth factor that stimulates the production of cartilage. Insulin-like growth factor is released from the liver in response to circulating growth hormone. It has also been demonstrated that human growth hormone has positive effects on erythropoeisis, i.e. the manufacture of red blood cells. This effect should help to improve the endurance of an athlete and may also help to promote anabolism. To the degree with which this effect will occur in users varies quite widely, but all users should show some improvement. Some side effects of human growth hormone include the overgrowth of internal organs and bones. This the reason many believe that todays bodybuilders have rounded extended stomachs. The bone growth can cause enlarged jaw structure and carpel tunnel syndrome in the wrist as well.

Users of human growth hormone for fat loss often take a dosage of 1-4 iu per day. Fat loss is considered to be the fastest seen effect of the drug and users can usually see results within 6 weeks of use in this area.. Professional bodybuilders and those looking to gain size and strength off the drug will often use much higher doses for periods of sometimes years  at a time. Doing this however is likely to cause the above mentioned side effects to occur to some degree.