Growth Hormone
Human growth hormone (HGH) can be called the “master hormone.” It helps to control just about everything in your body and is involved in cell generation, immunity, cholesterol profile, sense of well-being, muscle mass and bone mass, sexual function, and hundreds of other functions inside the body.
Recently, growth hormone has had a lot of both positive and negative publicity. The anti-aging movement has proven the beneficial aspects of the hormone. Conversely, professional athletes who have abused the drug have shown an unfavorable light on the potential abuses of growth hormone.
As we age, our level decreases at the rate of 1-3% per year beginning about age 30. Those who are not in good health or do not take care of their body will see a faster decline than those who are healthy.
Those with low growth hormone tend to have a large amount of fat around the midsection of their body, a high fat to muscle ratio, loss of interest in sex, difficulty sleeping, suffer from more colds and sicknesses, and low energy levels.
HGH also revitalizes the immune system. Supplementation with human growth hormone increases the production of new red blood cells, stimulates the bacteria-fighting cells, greater production and activity of white blood cells, production of new antibodies, and a greater activity of anti-cancer cells.
HGH supplementation improves the functioning of the heart, reduces body fat percentage, raises HDL cholesterol, lowers LDL cholesterol, and lowers blood pressure about 10%. It also increases the maximum oxygen uptake of the lungs, enhances the quantity of blood the heart can pump, and boosts bone density.
Those who receive growth hormone supplementation see an improvement in energy levels, enhanced REM sleep, reduced stress, improved concentration, increased self-confidence, and an elevated mood. These may come about though the increase in B-endorphin and decrease in dopamine levels that are the result of HGH.
The hormone also improves libido and sexual function. The skin looks better due to an increase in collagen content. This causes a more youthful look with a “bouncier” and less saggy appearance.
Have you noticed that most teenagers can eat whatever they want and don’t seem to get fat? This is because growth hormone is at it highest during the teenage years. HGH could very well be the most effective fat-loss regimens yet. It several studies, those given HGH decreased their body fat about 13% while increasing lean body mass about 7%. This is a 20% transformation without a change in lifestyle!
Growth hormone is made in the pituitary gland of the brain. It is secreted in quick, brief bursts which take place during the early hours of deep sleep. HGH is only active for a few minutes, just long enough to be taken in by the liver and converted into insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and other growth factors. IGF-1 is mainly responsible for the benefits seen with HGH.
Supplementation of human growth hormone is in the form of a subcutaneous injection (under the skin). The hormone is produced in a laboratory and has the exact same chemical structure as the hormone made naturally in the human body. Therefore, allergic reactions are extremely rare.
The injectable form of growth hormone is very expensive; expect to spend upwards of $1000 a month. If your levels are exceptionally low and need to increase a considerable amount, the injectable form is the only proven way to bring those levels back to normal.
With new laws, the Food and Drug Administration has limited the manufacture of growth hormone to just a few companies in the United States. It is now illegal to import the hormone from outside the country and those caught are subject to very harsh penalties. Some people, including physicians, are continuing to importing growth hormone from other parts of the world into the United States. There is no guarantee that these substances are pure, or even contain any growth hormone at all.
For males, the combination of growth hormone and testosterone has a synergistic effect. When this duo is given in the proper doses, men experience a significant amount of body fat loss and muscle gain. The overall health is greatly improved with noticeable energy increases, younger looking skin, and a returned libido not seen since teenage years. In women, the combination is not as great but they certainly feel a major improvement is all areas, just not to the degree of the opposite sex.
We can increase our own production of HGH naturally. Exercise is, by far, the best way to increase your own growth hormone production. Strength training, or resistance exercise, three to four times a week seems to have the highest benefit. Lifting heavy weights at a load where you can only do six to eight repetitions releases the most HGH from the body. The one single exercise that releases HGH the most is called the “high rep squat.” Twenty repetitions with two minutes rest between sets for a total of 6 sets is an incredible booster of growth hormone and one heck of a workout.
Second to strength training is interval training. Interval training consists of short bursts of intense exercise followed by a brief rest period. Wind sprints, shuttle runs, racquetball, basketball, or anything that has short bursts of intensity will increase your production. Aerobic exercise like bicycling or long distance running does not have an effect on growth hormone.
An alternative to HGH?
Certain over the counter substances can increase the body’s production of growth hormone. These include the amino acids L-arginine, L-glutamine, L-ornithine, and glycine. Other products such as ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate, macuna pruriens, and tribulus terrestris have also shown promise. When given in high doses, these substances will sometimes produce an increase in growth hormone secretion. The response from the body is not dependable since studies cannot replicate results. It appears that the substances produce a similar effect on the brain that exercise does. Exercise almost always induces growth hormone release while supplements rarely produce such results.
Studies prove that the cells of the pituitary are fully able to produce HGH if properly stimulated. Researchers speculate that a hormone known as growth hormone stimulating hormone (GHRH) decreases in the aging process. GHRH is the signal for the pituitary to release growth hormone. GHRH is available by prescription and can be obtained through certain compounding pharmacies. The trade name, sermorelin, is showing promise in ongoing studies with increases in HGH secretion by the pituitary.
Sermorelin has to be dosed daily with a subcutaneous injection given at bedtime. These nightly injections stimulate the pituitary to secrete growth hormone. Unlike giving growth hormone directly, the body will not “overproduce” and cause an overdosing effect. The secretion of growth hormone is regulated by a feedback mechanism. It also costs about 90% less than growth hormone.
DHEA
Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Does the fall in hormones cause aging or does aging cause the fall in hormones?
Scientists and researchers have learned that by restoring hormone levels back to youthful levels, the aging process seems to not only stop, but reverse in some body systems. DHEA is the most abundant hormone in our body and its decline corresponds with the decline of HGH. In fact, when scientists gave laboratory animals DHEA, they lived 50% longer than those who were not given the hormone.
DHEA is produced by the adrenal glands and the falling level of this hormone is associated with a number of diseases and disabilities. As we get older, our adrenal glands shrink, decreasing the amount of DHEA that is excreted.
DHEA is a potent stimulator of the immune system. When the levels are low, the immune system cannot act quickly to ward off bacteria, viruses, and disease. This is especially problematic for the elderly because by the time their body realizes there is an invading pathogen, it may be too late for the body to defend itself.
Men with a low DHEA level are more apt to get heart disease. Women with low DHEA have a higher chance of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Those with diabetes have a lower than normal DHEA level. In laboratory rats bred specifically to develop diabetes, the rats given DHEA did not develop the disease. Insulin lowers DHEA, hampers the adrenal gland’s production, and stimulates the enzyme that breaks down DHEA. A proper diet that keeps insulin low will help keep your DHEA level high.
The lower a woman’s DHEA, the lower her bone density scores.
DHEA blocks the enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD). G6PD plays a role in the body’s fat storage mechanism. Keeping DHEA at youthful levels can help to prevent fat storage. Studies prove that increasing DHEA levels in obese patients raises metabolism, decreases appetite, and reduces fat storage. The scientists believe that since the body cannot store the dietary fat, it must be burned off by increasing metabolism. It also stimulates the hormone cholecystokinin that signals the brain to feel “full” while eating.
The human brain contains five times the DHEA as the rest of the body. Those with Alzheimer’s disease have 48% less DHEA than those without the disease, replacing what has been lost could help in prevention. One theory suggests that the neurotransmitter, GABA, increases as we age. GABA has the effect of slowing brain activity and also breaks down brain tissue. DHEA blocks the action of GABA and since the DHEA levels decrease as we age, GABA takes over, causing Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other central nervous system diseases.
DHEA has been used and is being used by millions of people without significant side effects. The supplement is readily available and is relatively inexpensive.
For women, the recommended dose is 10mg to 12.5mg a day. Females will get an increase in testosterone when given supplemental DHEA. After a couple weeks, if you notice an increase in acne or oily skin, cut the dose in half to 5mg or 6.25mg a day.
This increase in testosterone is not normally seen in men. The dosage for men begins at 25mg a day and can be increased until levels are in a youthful range.
Melatonin
The pineal gland, located behind and between the eyes, secretes melatonin in response to darkness. When light is detected, the gland stops production. This is our natural circadian rhythm that tells us when to go to sleep and when to wake up. Prior to the invention of the electric light, our melatonin system worked to wake us at daylight.
Our body makes melatonin from tryptophan, an essential amino acid. We must obtain tryptophan from our diet as our body cannot manufacture it from other substances.
Melatonin is highest in children and begins to wane in our early forties. The decrease in melatonin level signals the body to begin its breakdown associated with aging. By keeping melatonin levels raised, or bringing them back up to youthful levels, can we stop the aging process?
Like DHEA, melatonin stimulates the immune system. White blood cells that fight infection are released from the thymus gland in response to melatonin. While you are sleeping, the body is fighting all the outside “invaders” that came into your body and could cause sickness or disease. This is the best time for your body’s defenses to go to work since you are resting and using much less energy than during waking hours. Much more energy can be used to fight pathogens during sleep.
As the amount of melatonin in the body decreases, the thymus gland shrinks and can no longer hold as many white blood cells. Eventually, the thymus gland practically vanishes from the shrinkage and severely limits the immune response.
Much of the effects of aging are due to the abundance of free radicals. Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant and can enter every cell of the body to scavenge for free radicals.
High levels of melatonin have been shown to be cancer preventative, retain proper sex hormone levels, and, of course, aids in sleep. The time it takes to get to sleep is reduced, the duration, quality, and efficiency of sleep is increased, and the number of waking moments are decreased when test subjects were given melatonin.
Melatonin is now being used extensively for jet lag. Taking melatonin at the appropriate times can reduce jet lag. According to the National Institute of Health, “Several human trials suggest that melatonin taken by mouth, started on the day of travel (close to the target bedtime at the destination) and continued for several days, reduces the number of days required to establish a normal sleep pattern, diminishes the time it takes to fall asleep (“sleep latency”), improves alertness, and reduces daytime fatigue.”
Several manufacturers produce melatonin in doses from 0.3mg to 10mg with 3mg being the most popular. If you are going to take melatonin on a regular basis, it is recommended that you take it on an every other day schedule. It is not yet known whether or not supplementation shuts off your body’s natural production. Dosing is very individualized; start with a 0.3mg dose at bedtime. If you are still having difficulty getting to sleep, increase the dose by about 0.5mg until you find the correct dose for you. You should also take melatonin on an empty stomach 30 minutes before bed.
Thyroid Hormone
Many factors may be robbing your thyroid of its production of hormone. Environmental pollutants, medications, synthetic estrogens, and cigarette smoke are just a few examples of substances proven to decrease thyroid hormone production.
The thyroid is a small gland located in the neck. It releases hormones that regulate your body’s temperature, metabolism, and heart rate. When the amount of thyroid hormone is low or the body cannot use the hormone available, the condition is known as hypothyroidism. The condition is far more common in women than in men.
Symptoms include: intolerance of cold, fatigue, coarse hair, brittle nails, weight gain, sluggish or foggy thinking, and a loss of interest in sex.
Without enough thyroid hormone, the heart beats sluggishly, meaning less blood is flowing throughout the body. Low thyroid hormone may attribute to adult onset (type II) diabetes.
To make thyroid hormone, you body goes through a fairly complicated process of checks and balances. When the hypothalamus detects a low hormone level, it secretes thyroid releasing hormone. Thyroid releasing hormone tells the pituitary to secrete thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH tells the thyroid to release thyroid hormone. When the levels decrease, the hypothalamus kicks into gear again. If there is a defect anywhere along this chain or if the body cannot use the hormone that is available, hypothyroidism results.
Studies show that 15% of women in the United States over the age of sixty have hypothyroidism, although many do not realize it. They suffer through daily symptoms and attribute the feelings to “old age.”
Restoring the thyroid hormone to proper levels brings back the sexual feelings, increases energy, improves the hair and nails, restores body heat, and increases overall vitality.
The thyroid requires iodine to function properly. Without iodine, the thyroid enlarges causing a condition called a goiter. Two common chemicals in our environment, chlorine and fluoride, compete with iodine for receptor sites on the thyroid. Supplementing with as little as 100mcg of iodine a day will usually reverse this condition.
Along with iodine, the thyroid needs other vitamins in order to function properly. Low vitamin A stops the body from producing thyroid stimulating hormone and also blocks the thyroid from absorbing iodine. With low thyroid hormone, the body cannot convert vitamin A into its active form. Be sure you are getting at least 10,000IU a day of vitamin A to avoid this vicious cycle.
The B vitamins are very important to thyroid function as well. Vitamins B-2 (riboflavin) and B-3 (niacin) allow the thyroid to secrete thyroid hormone, you need to supplement with 100mg of a B-complex vitamin and add 50mg of vitamin B-2 twice a day if you have thyroid issues. Thyroid hormone is required for your body to absorb and use vitamin B-12, without adequate B-12 levels, anemia develops.
The pituitary tells the thyroid how much hormone to release. Without proper amounts of vitamin C, the pituitary cannot perform this task properly. Since our body uses vitamin C for many functions and is not efficient at storing it, 250mg taken four times a day is needed to keep the pituitary functioning.
Along with these vitamins, adding 400IU of vitamin E a day, the amino acid tyrosine at 500mg twice a day, and an iron supplement can help to restore the thyroid to normal function.
If, after supplementation with vitamins, your thyroid is still not functioning properly, it may be time to introduce a natural thyroid product. The prescription drug, Armour Thyroid, is a tremendous medication for those with a sluggish thyroid. It must be obtained from a pharmacy with a prescription from your doctor.
The dosing on Armour Thyroid is a little different than other medications. I recommend 30mg every morning for one week. If you still feel sluggish, increase to 30mg twice a day for one week. Keep increasing by 30mg a day until you feel anxious and jitters. Then back off 30mg and that should be the dose that has you feeling good all the time.
Chapter 5. Estrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone
Chapter 4. Getting to Know your Hormones
I was wondering if you could tell me whether the secretagogues work for older individuals. I am 51 years old. In his Life Extension Manual in the chapter on HGH, Jerry Emanuelson writes that the GHRH and GHRP doesn’t work on people older than 45 (ref:http://www.futurescience.com/hgh.html). I have used these in the past but I certainly don’t want to waste my money if it doesn’t work for someone my age… I can get just about anything – HGH, peptides or MK-677. But now I’m wondering what works best for someone my age. I’m trying MK-677 right now but too early to tell if it is working.