The growth spurts you experienced throughout childhood were largely due to growth hormone. Growth hormone is secreted by your pituitary gland, which is a pea-sized gland at the base of your brain, according to MayoClinic.com. It helps fuel growth and maintain organs and tissues. Your body produces less growth hormone as you age. Human growth hormone, or HGH, supplements are available over the counter and by prescription. Consult your doctor before taking HGH supplements.
Clinical Use
HGH is used clinically when you have a significant, measurable deficiency. Adult growth hormone deficiency is rare, according to MayoClinic.com. A pituitary tumor can cause abnormal growth hormone secretion. If you have this rare deficiency, growth hormone supplementation can increase bone density, muscle mass and exercise capacity. It can also decrease body fat, according to MayoClinic.com. Growth hormone is also approved to treat muscle wasting associated with AIDS and HIV.
Claims
Supplement manufacturers claim that HGH supplementation can increase your libido, energy and stamina. They also claim that it can reduce your body fat, help you sleep better, improve hair growth and slow the aging process. However, clinical studies of growth hormone safety and the effects on healthy individuals are lacking. If you are healthy, you generally do not need to take growth hormone. If you choose to take growth hormone supplements, do so only under your doctor's supervision.
Synthetic HGH Safety
There is no strong clinical data to show that growth hormone has significant benefits if you do not have a clinical deficiency. If you are healthy and choose to take growth hormone, you may experience side effects, which include swelling in your arms and legs, muscle and joint pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome -- a nerve condition that can effect your wrist and parts of your hand. If you are male, you may experience breast tissue enlargement, according to MayoClinic.com.
Bio-HGH Safety
A small short-term study published in the April 1989 issue of "Clinical Endocrinology" evaluated the endocrine effects of bio-HGH in healthy men. Bio-HGH, unlike synthetic HGH, is a biologically similar form. Side effects noted were reduced sodium excretion, which caused increased weight due to water retention. The study concluded that bio-HGH is safe and well-tolerated short term if you are healthy. However, the study stressed the need for doctors to monitor sodium balance, carbohydrate metabolism and thyroid function.
Member Comments