As we see, human growth hormone has been identified for its effect on the growth processes in the human body. Growth hormone as the name suggests itself is primarily concerned with the ideal height of an individual. Now, how does HGH actually play in the growth process?
HGH is a protein hormone that has a 190 amino acids sequence. It is a major product of the anterior pituitary gland and is produced by cells called Somatotrophs. Aside from the HGH, there are other hormones that are involved in the growth process thus making it more complex than other processes. In general, the growth hormone excites tissues like the liver to secrete Insulin like Growth Factor (IGF-1). This product then stimulates the propagation of cartilage cells which results in bone growth.
In addition to this, the growth hormone has a direct effect in bone growth in the initiation of the differentiation of the cartilage cells. More than just bone growth, the IGF-1 also affects muscle growth. The IGF-1 fuels the breeding of myoblasts and stimulates protein synthesis and the uptake of amino acid.
There are different hypothesis as to how the growth hormone truly affects growth processes. All of these theories include the IGF-1 which is the mediator of GH to the actual growth processes. One of these hypotheses is the Somatomedin hypothesis. This hypothesis asserts that the GH motivates the production of the IGF-1 in the liver and other extra skeletal tissues.
Then, the IGF-1 is delivered to the growth plate and works as an endocrine factor and arbitrates all the actions of the growth hormone with regards to promoting growth. The other, dual effectors theory, asserts that the growth hormone plays a straight role at the growth plate where it supports the differentiation of different cells while stimulating the fusion and secretion of IGF-1.
The growth hormone also plays a role in maintaining a healthy bone density to decrease the possibility of osteoporosis and other bone diseases. Although the growth hormone is the major player in the growth process of the human body, there are still other body hormones that help in the growth process. These hormones interact with other glands and substances to aid the growth hormone. Examples of these hormones are the thyroid hormones, the sex hormones and the follicle stimulating hormone.
The growth hormone continues to be secreted even as human bones have closed and have stopped growing. The reason why children grow at ages before and during puberty is that the HGH is produced at peak levels during those years of an individual. Growth hormones are also secreted at the onset of sleep so there is a bit of truth when elders say that children should sleep earlier to grow taller. HGH secretion lessens when a person enters his middle ages. Along with the decrease in secretion of HGH come the symptoms of aging as people grow old. Because HGH contributes in bone growth and density, the status of the human bone is affected with the significant decrease in HGH.
Aside from the internal processes that are involved in the growth process, there are also certain factors that contribute to the process. Some of these factors include, stress, lack of sleep, proper diet, exercise and the growth hormone itself. Some aberrations in the growth process are frequently caused by the deficiency or excess in Human growth hormone.
Human Growth Hormone: The Possibilities of its Abuse
Human growth hormone, a hormone produced in the pituitary gland is very useful. Aside from performing it’s duties in the growth processes, it also helps in metabolism. Furthermore, it is also used in treating HGH diseases.
HGH diseases vary from HGH deficiency and HGH excess. These diseases have existed long before HGH had been used as an instrument for treatment. The utilization of HGH as a cure has proven to be successful in the medical world. The first method of treatment, cadaver-GH, bloomed but it was deserted as a method because of its dangerous side effects. When this method proved to be dangerous, researchers looked for other alternative methods and found genetic engineering. Genetic engineering resulted to the HGH products and supplements that we know of today.
While HGH products and supplements are very beneficial to a human, these benefits end when an individual starts abusing the use of HGH. What is actually HGH abuse and how it is performed by an individual?
Abuse is to use something wrongly or incorrect. Drug abuse is using a drug that it illegal and using drugs in improper dosages. In the case of HGH products, abuse is done when other people use it without medical prescription or the guidance of a doctor.
HGH abuse is manifested in three scenarios; elderly people using the HGH products, athletes who use HGH and people using the products for their own gratification. HGH products and supplements have been approved for medical purposes particularly treating HGH diseases. But, it has not been approved as anti-aging product or performance enhancer.
Old people are prone to abuse HGH products because of their desire to slow down the aging process. They are made to believe that increasing human growth hormone levels will result in the reversal of aging. They believe that the intake of HGH can increase muscle mass, lean muscle tissue, energy levels and can produce a younger looking skin. However, these claims have not been truly proven.
The manifestation of the HGH abuse in the elderly people is simple. Their vulnerability to believe in advertisements and their desire to stay young is making them too gullible to succumb to the deceptive nature of advertising. HGH products and supplements claim that they can give beneficial results to halt aging process but these are not all true.
Another group that is prone to abuse HGH products and supplements are the athletes. Majority of the athletes want to perform well in able to contribute to the success of their team. They also want to achieve fame. The use of steroids has been banned from the sports world because it was proven that it really increased performance. HGH products and supplements have also been banned but there was no proof that it actually increases performance. Athletes tend to use the HGH supplements because of its perceived effect to muscle mass and strength. These increases however do not necessarily equate to increased performance.
Other groups that actually believe on the powers of HGH and abuse it are the parents. Parents who want their children to perform well and to grow taller use these products without proper prescription.
HGH abuse is clearly manifesting itself in different scenarios. What is common is that the HGH supplements have not been approved to be used in all of the situations mentioned and the use of HGH is not monitored by a doctor. Human growth hormone products have only been approved for medical purposes. Most of all the advertisements promoting HGH supplements as anti-aging and performance enhancers are just scam to sell a product. Do not take HGH supplements without prescription. Please consult your doctor first.
Human Growth Hormone And Other Diseases
Human growth hormone is a multi-functional hormone in the body. It is produced by the pituitary gland and reaches its peak of production during childhood and puberty years. HGH is associated with growth and metabolic processes.
Human growth hormone is investigated for its many functions in treating many diseases other than the HGH diseases. These treatments of these HGH diseases are also the subject of research because of certain side effects.
One of the side effects of the earliest method in treating HGH deficiency is the Creutzfeldt – Jakob disease (CJD). This disease was manifested by people who were treated with cadaver-GH. Cadaver-GH was the first method to be used in treating HGH diseases and involved purifying HGH from a dead body. The CJD cases in relation to HGH treatment rise in 2003 making it impossible for cadaver-GH to be continued. CJD is a degenerative, odd and perpetually fatal brain disorder.
There are about 200 cases of CJD in the U.S every year. CJD brings about lapses in memory, changes in behavior, visual disturbance and lack of organization. Coma may also occur as CJD advances. CJD often happens to people who are old. The CJD is further categorized into three types:
1) Sporadic CJD
2) Hereditary CJD
3) Acquired CJD
The cases of CJD that is associate with HGH treatment is of the third type. The patients acquired CJD through the performance of a medical procedure. The dreadful fact about CJD is that there are no available treatments for it. Scientists and researchers have tested many drugs in hope of finding possible treatments for CJD. So far, these drugs proved to be futile and do not help in treating CJD.
Another disease that is associated with the HGH is diabetes. In a recent study, HGH is also said to have a role in the diabetes induced kidney disease. This disease which is commonly referred to as diabetic nephropathy affects 10-20 percent of all diabetic people. Diabetic nephropathy can cause kidney failure, hypertension and fluid retention. It often happens to patients with persistent diabetes. The role of the HGH in the proliferation of this disease has not been identified but researchers are sure that it is involved.
Although it is associated with the propagation of diseases, HGH is also acknowledged for its help in curing Crohn’s disease. According to testimonials of patients, the intake of HGH supplements has helped in the treatment of their disease. Crohn’s disease is characterized by the inflammation of the digestive tract. The symptoms of Crohn’s disease are diarrhea, pain in the abdomen and rectum bleeding.
Because HGH aid in the maintaining of healthy bone composition, it is also associated with bone diseases like scoliosis and osteoporosis. HGH is also related to muscle diseases.
Human growth hormone has really come a long way since it was discovered. It has been the pioneer in achieving the normal height of an individual. It has been helpful in metabolic processes. At present, experts are arguing on the effects of HGH in the aging process. There is still no clear picture if HGH can truly reverse aging.
Human growth hormone can either harm or benefit an individual. It can either help in the proliferation of a disease or help in treating it. The mysteries of HGH are not yet fully understood and uncovered even by experts in endocrinology. Please use Human Growth Hormone meritoriously.
Be Happy – Human Growth Hormone plays vital role in our life.