Description of Human Growth Hormone (hGH)This page has a description of Human Growth Hormone (hGH), including effects, natural levels, tests for measurement, and associated chemicals and their interactions. Although HGH was isolated in the mid 1950s, it was not possible to produce it artificially until the mid 1980s - up to that time the only source was post-mortem collection from pituitary glands. Lack of HGH leads to slowed growth in children. In adults, deficiency may be due to pituitary surgery or diseases, but is also a natural consequence of aging. In fact, growth hormone declines with age in every animal species tested to date. Among humans, HGH reaches its peak of about 500 micrograms produced per day at age 20, by 40 that falls to 200 and at 80 it may be around 25 micrograms. Human Growth Hormone is a naturally occurring substance in the human body which is secreted by the pituitary, the master gland of the body located in the endocrine system. Growth Hormone is important for a number of reasons, in older individuals, it can slow down and in many cases even reverse the aging process. Aging is now considered a disease and not just a normal occurrence which goes unchecked. Traditionally, it has been used in Europe and the United States for approximately 15 years with very gratifying results. It has previously been available by injection only and since injections can cost between $4,000 and $20,000 a year, only the wealthy have been able to afford this treatment. Injections are required because HGH is broken down in the stomach by the bile acids and is not absorbed into the system. Other hormones improve the efficiency of HGH function, including Estrogen, Progesterone, Melatonin, DHEA, and Thyroid Hormone. The site also mentions Insulin-like growth factor, or IGF-1, but the description is so sparse as to be near useless. We will have to cover that in another LongevityBlog entry! |
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