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The Effects of HGH on Men

Jul 26, 2010 | By Tomas Linnaeus

The front part of the pituitary gland releases human growth hormone, or HGH, in short pulses throughout a 24-hour cycle. HGH penetrates the blood-brain barrier, and thus it directly affects the central nervous system, notes an article in the journal "Endocrinology." Natural HGH, or somatotropin, contributes to cell development and regeneration. Synthetic HGH, or somatropin, enhances performance and retards aging, but also causes some side effects in men.

Increases Strength

Some athletes abuse HGH due to its reputation as a performance-enhancing drug. Data for this claim remain sparse, yet a few studies support it. A 2005 investigation published in the journal "Clinical Endocrinology" looked at leg and hand strength in older men with low levels of HGH. Results indicated that HGH intake increased strength during a 5-year period of use. Hormone replacement also enhanced muscle mass and reduced body fat. Treatment remained effective and safe as the patients reported few adverse events.

Improves Performance

Aging decreases levels of both performance and HGH. These two factors often happen together, suggesting a causal relationship. A 2010 experiment described in the periodical "Neurobiology of Aging" tested this hypothesis in older men. This study assessed cognitive performance at different points of the endogenous, or natural, HGH pattern. The data revealed that target detection increased and response time decreased during periods of growth hormone release. No side effects were reported. These results indicate that natural HGH production enhances selective attention and promotes short-term memory.

Promotes Healing

HGH plays a role in bone resorption and formation, so patients and athletes may benefit from taking HGH during recovery from injury. A 2007 paper presented in the "European Journal of Endocrinology" examined healing time following shin fractures. This study found that men receiving HGH after breaking a bone experienced faster recovery. Relative to a placebo, HGH intake reduced healing time from about 130 days to about 100 days. Patients reported more adverse effects during HGH use, but all were mild and transient.

Causes Bloating

Fluid retention, or bloating, commonly occurs during HGH replacement. A 2005 investigation published in the "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism" looked at fluid retention in HGH deficient men. HGH use increased bloating in this study, but it caused no other side effects. Similar experiments have produced a dose-response curve for this effect, with larger doses causing greater retention. These findings may explain why HGH intake often enhances lean body mass, notes a May 2010 article in the "European Journal of Endocrinology."

Worsens Apnea

Hormone replacement therapy can also produce more serious complications. A 2010 experiment published in the "Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine" evaluated HGH intake in men with obstructive sleep apnea. This sleep disorder, partially characterized by brief pauses in nighttime breathing, can have fatal consequences. HGH administration enhanced apnea frequency and reduced oxygen saturation. It also increased neck volume, which appeared to cause these changes. Such results indicate that growth hormone intake must be carefully monitored.

References

Article reviewed by Roman Tsivkin Last updated on: Jul 26, 2010

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