Human Growth Hormone

Until recently the effects of Growth Hormone Deficiency in adults were unknown. It is now recognized as a specific clinical syndrome with numerous physiological consequences with effects on:

• Changes in body composition, including central obesity
• Lipids in the blood
• Muscle strength
• Bone composition
• Exercise capacity and energy
• Cardiovascular risk
• Psychological well-being

Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency (AGHD) can be effectively treated with recombinant human Growth Hormone. A medically supervised HGH program has many benefits that can improve the user’s life on every level imaginable and Orthomolecular Nutrition & Wellness specializes in treating adults who are experiencing symptoms and problems associated with AGHD.

Effects of HGH Therapy

• SKIN - Increased skin elasticity, texture, and tightness.
• ENERGY - Increased energy and emotional stability.
• BONE - Improved bone strength.
• SEXUAL POWER - Increased sexual potency and frequency.
• MUSCLE - Increased muscle strength and mass.
• FAT - Decreased fat tissue.
• MEMORY - Improved mental functioning and strength.
• HEART - Improved cardiovascular strength and lower blood pressure.
• KIDNEY - Improved kidney function.
• IMMUNE SYSTEM - Improved immunity and healing.
• HAIR - Improved hair texture.
• CHOLESTEROL - Elevated HDL and lowered LDL.

Hormones can be thought of as "messengers" that are produced by the endocrine glands and then sent all over the body to stimulate specified activities. For example, growth, digestion, reproduction, and sexual functions are all triggered by hormones and they all depend on hormones to work properly.

HGH is one of several endocrine hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, melatonin and DHEA that decline in production as we age. As its name suggests, human Growth Hormone is an endocrine hormone that makes humans grow.

HGH is a complex protein molecule of 191 amino acids linked in a specific sequence. It is secreted in pulses by the pituitary gland. These pulses vary between 10 and 30 per day and can be strengthened by exercise. For years, doctors have prescribed HGH for children who needed a growth boost but growth deficiencies do not just affect children, they can be a significant problem for adults too. HGH is critical for tissue repair, healing, muscle growth, bone strength, brain function, physical and mental health, energy, and metabolism.

Somatropin, or Somatotropin, is the man-made version of human Growth Hormone. Each manufacturer of somatropin assigns its own brand name, such as Genotropin, Norditropin, Saizen and Compound Somatropin. They are available only by prescription and administered by injection.

HGH is produced at a rate that peaks during adolescence, at time when normal growth is accelerated. The production of HGH decreases with age, 14% each year on average. Humans normally produce about 500 micrograms of HGH daily at age 20.By age 80, the daily production falls to 60 (or less) micrograms. Many doctors consider IGF-1 levels below 200 to be HGH deficient and a diagnosis on Adult Onset Growth Hormone Deficiency Syndrome is made.Proper blood work called a hormone panel needs to be taken to make sure our patients are HGH deficient.

In the month of August of 1996, the FDA approved recombinant human Growth Hormone for the use in adult patients for the first time. Before, it was approved and authorized only for the use to promote growth in short children with growth deficiencies such as dwarfism. Now HGH can be prescribed for deficient adults to treat Adult Onset Growth Hormone Deficiency Syndrome.

Orthomolecular Nutrition & Wellness offers, to qualified individuals based on medical necessity, HGH therapy in the form of medically supervised programs that are designed to safely replenish and replace your body's own production of HGH.

For most people the pituitary gland produces sufficient HGH to retain a youthful appearance until age 35 or so. Then, somewhere between age 40 and 50, the body's ability to produce HGH declines to the point where the signs of Adult Growth hormone Deficiency (AGHD) begin to show.

Signs of Adult Onset Growth Hormone Deficiency (AGHD):

• SKIN Skin loses elasticity. Becomes thinner, sags, and wrinkled.
• ENERGY Loss of vigor and stamina.
• BONE Bones lose strength. Tendency toward osteoporosis.
• SEXUAL POWER Loss of sexual powers and libido.
• MUSCLE Muscles lose strength and mass.
• FAT Fat tissue increases and accumulates.
• MEMORY Memory begins to fade.
• HEART Heart muscle loses strength.
• KIDNEY Decreased kidney function.
• IMMUNE SYSTEM Decreased immunity and increased healing time.
• HAIR Hair becomes thinner and loses color.
• CHOLESTEROL Increased cholesterol level.

The first major study showing the promise of HGH therapy was published in the New England Journal of Medicine (Rudman; 323:1-6 1990). This study was orchestrated by Dr. Daniel Rudman. It divided 21 men (between the ages of 60 and 80) with IGF-1 levels less than 350 IU per liter into two groups: 12 test subjects and 9 control subjects.

A 6-month period of data collection was followed by a 6-month period in which the 12 test subjects received HGH injections and the 9 control subjects did not. The results were promising: increases in lean muscle mass, decreases in adipose fat tissue, and increases in vertebral bone height. All test subjects had measurable increases in HGH levels, as measured by IGF-1 blood values.

The control group had none of these results. The effects of six months of human growth hormone on body mass and adipose-tissue mass were equivalent in magnitude tothe changes incurred during the 10 to 20 years of aging.

Since Rudman’s landmark study, leading doctors and healthcare professionals worldwide have performed many studies that all come to the same conclusion – HGH therapy works. For a complete background on recent and past HGH studies and information on HGH therapy in general, the book entitled “Grow Young With HGH” by Dr. Ronald Klatz (ISBN 0-06-098434-1) is fascinating reading and a “must read”.

The nervous system and brain are made up of cells called neurons, which are permanent and never grow back once damaged. HGH stimulates the repair and rejuvenation of these particular neurons. The proteins in the brain that are responsible for storing our memories are also affected in a positive way.

Learning, memory, and intelligence all depend on adequate supplies of HGH. According to a team of Swedish Scientists they discovered why HGH therapy makes so many people feel so good. HGH acts in the brain exactly like an antidepressant, raising the level of neurotransmitter B- endorphin, which has been called the brain's own opiate. It also lowers the level of dopamine, which is associated with feelings of agitation. It reverses the outlooks, expectations and attitudes associated with the aging process.

Many other experts expressed that it appears to reduce stress itself, & improves focus and concentration, and builds self esteem and self confidence. HGH can also reverse the decline in memory and cognitive performance.

About 68%of Americans are classified as overweight individuals. Obesity is the 2nd most common preventable death in the United States. Human Growth Hormone may be one of the most effective fat loss regimens ever discovered.

The psychological and emotional symptoms associated with Adult Growth hormone Deficiency (AGHD) include a reduced sense of well being, low energy, vitality, capacity for work, emotional liability, including mood swings, anxiety, depression, and increased social isolation. Important physical signs are increased body fat, especially around the waist (apple shape rather than pear shape), decrease in muscle mass, and thin, wrinkled, or prematurely aged skin. Other symptoms may consist of the following: Reduced cardiac performance, poor sleep, decreased muscle mass and strength, little to no sex drive.

Aging takes place at a more rapid pace when your hormones start to decrease. Once the hormone levels start to decrease, your body starts to change. You tend to gain weight easier, your not as athletic, you tend to be more up tight about things, depressed more frequently, these are all signs that your hormone levels are beginning to drop. Natural hormones are protective and aging is related to the loss of these hormones. Replacing the hormone level to youthful levels delays the aging process.

All of the things that you already know about healthy living are still true, whether you are starting HGH therapy or not. If you are serious about treating your hormone deficiencies with hormone therapy remember that all good programs consist of discipline and commitment in five major areas:

1. HORMONE REPLACEMENT/SUPPLEMENTATION
2. PROPER DIET
3. NUTRITION
4. EXERCISE
5. SLEEP