What is HGH
Human growth hormone, often referred to as HGH, is a hormone that is naturally produced within the pituitary gland of the human brain. The hormone is comparable to estrogen and testosterone and is not only what controls growth in children but it also plays a large role in the metabolism of adults. While the hormone levels are relatively high throughout childhood and adolescence, after the age of twenty-one the levels drop quite quickly at an approximate rate of fourteen percent every ten years.
Until recently it was thought that HGH was only an important part of bodily function until the age of puberty. Further studies have shown however that it is this hormone that is also responsible for repairing bone tissue, collagen, and muscle tissue. It also controls the metabolism of fat and helps to keep the body in good general shape throughout one’s entire life. While the hormone is naturally produced by the brain, there are a number of factors that contribute to its normal secretion. These include a nutritious diet, getting a lot of exercise and keeping regular sleep patterns.
The hormone is very important to keep the body functioning properly and having too much HGH or too little of it can cause significant medical problems. When children have an HGH deficiency, it becomes quite obvious very quickly. The child will stop growing, be small in stature and have delayed puberty, if they go through puberty at all. A child who has too much HGH will be diagnosed with gigantism, which will make them extremely tall and large. Because adults are full-grown, it is harder to pinpoint a deficiency. Common symptoms are becoming weak, lethargy, and loss of bone mass. An adult deficiency can also lead to a higher risk of heart disease. Adults with an overabundance of HGH may begin to notice that their feet, hands, and face are becoming larger, their hair is growing at a rapid rate, their blood pressure will raise and they will begin to sweat more often. For older adults, the hormone can also help in slowing down signs of aging.