Avoiding Complications Using Human Growth Hormone – Facts You Need to Know About

 HGH has come along way because it was originally available from cadavers and rhesus monkeys for onward transmission to the recipients. That simply meant it was in very short supply and the cost was only affordable to the very rich. But today there have been great strides in genetic engineering that the hormone can be created using recombinant DNA techniques.  

The human growth hormone was used primarily for treatment of dwarfism in children that was caused by the malfunction of the pituitary gland and caused the children to be stunted. Another use today is the treatment of injured muscles and it has also been used as an anabolic agent in geriatric patients. Some older individuals who wanted to slow down the signs of aging have also used the HG supplements. Other people have also used as supplement by weight lifters, body builders and throwers with an intention of enhancing their muscle mass and stamina.  

So how does the body make it?

The human growth hormone is produced and secreted by the pituitary gland that is found at the base of the brain, in response to several stimuli which include exercise, sleep, stress and the administration of some drugs and amino acids. HGH works in the body by way of stimulating the rest of the organs to do their functions effectively and also increases the rate of protein synthesis.

Once it is in the body it initiates the release of insulin like growth factor which promotes the formation of bone, cartilage and muscle mass. It also burns up fat cells to produce energy that the body uses as fuel for its activities. This stimulates glucose uptake in the muscle and fat mobilizing free fatty acids from adipose tissue.

What’s the Real Deal?

Exercise is known to stimulate the secretion of HGH which brings about performance benefits there are still doubts going about the true effectiveness and safety of HGH supplementation on things like athletic performance. The little that is known about the side effects does not seem to be so positive hence the ban by sporting bodies on its use to boost performance.

What other side effects are suspected? 

There are reports that some complications related to HGH therapies include diabetes. Because of its anabolic effect, the substance can cause cardiomegally – a condition where the heart becomes enlarged which results in another condition called myocardial oxygen demand.  This conditions increase the risk of heart diseases. Then when you add the anabolic steroids that are likely to be in the cocktail that many athletes will take you develop another risk of getting atherosclerosis.

When the human growth hormone is consumed in large doses it could also lead to another condition called Acromegaly which is characterized by enlarged spade like hands and facial features; myopathy; osteoporosis; arthritis; and heart disease.