Human Growth Hormone (HGH) can cause several problems when abused. However, this article is about increasing your HGH levels naturally and the potential benefits one may receive. Healthy aging is all about slowing the decline in our hormones and feeling the difference which some call “feeling younger”.
- Human growth hormone, while increasing height in children and young adults, it also has many other potential benefits for your body:
- Decreasing calcium loss and strengthening bone as well as increasing bone density
- Increasing muscle mass – no wonder athletes abuse it (Liu, Bravata et al. 2007)
- Promotes weight loss
- Stimulates organ growth except the brain – sorry
- Maintaining metabolism and fuel status
- Reducing liver uptake of glucose and promoting production of glucose – abuse may cause diabetes
- Improving function of the pancreas – decreasing diabetes risk
- Stimulating the immune system – maybe that’s why the “aged” get sick more often?
How can you naturally increase your growth hormone?
- Deep sleep (Van Cauter, Latta et al. 2004)
- Fasting (Norrelund 2005)
- Vigorous aerobic exercise (Kanaley, Weltman et al. 1997)
Does growth hormone cause cancer? There is some evidence that supplementation of HGH may mildly increase your risk for colon cancer and prostate cancer (Ogilvy-Stuart and Gleeson 2004). Other side effects with regular supplementation may include joint swelling, joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and an increased risk of diabetes (Liu, Bravata et al. 2007).
Liu, H., D. M. Bravata, et al. (2007). “Systematic review: the safety and efficacy of growth hormone in the healthy elderly.” Ann Intern Med 146(2): 104-15.
Ogilvy-Stuart, A. L. and H. Gleeson (2004). “Cancer risk following growth hormone use in childhood: implications for current practice.” Drug Saf 27(6): 369-82.
Van Cauter, E., F. Latta, et al. (2004). “Reciprocal interactions between the GH axis and sleep.” Growth Horm IGF Res 14 Suppl A: S10-7.
Norrelund, H. (2005). “The metabolic role of growth hormone in humans with particular reference to fasting.” Growth Horm IGF Res 15(2): 95-122.
Kanaley, J. A., J. Y. Weltman, et al. (1997). “Human growth hormone response to repeated bouts of aerobic exercise.” J Appl Physiol 83(5): 1756-61.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational purposes only. Any treatments should be supervised by your physician.
