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What is HGH ?
HGH is referred as Human Growth
Hormone. HGH is also called as somatotropin. This is considered
to control most of the functions in the human body. HGH is
responsible for vitality, soft and smooth skin, more energy and
resilience. HGH is a protein hormone consisting about 190 amino
acids and is secreted by the cells called somatotrophs in
pituitary glands of the brain. HGH level increases during
adolescence, then slowly decreases with age. It has been
estimated that about 14% of HGH level will be lost when a person
cross 30 years of age. The decrease in the level of HGH
activates the aging process. There are some evidences from
research that increasing the level of HGH in human body will
stop the aging process, will reduce wrinkles, will increase
sexual power, and will help to maintain a controlled weight. The
effective concentration of HGH available in market is 30x.
Doctor’s recommends the intake of HGH through injections and
other oral medications. HGH is essential for the growth of
several physiologic activities, growth and metabolism.
There are many companies that market HGH that have very less
concentration of HGH or that do not contain actual composition
of HGH. These companies develop a formulation that gives similar
effect of HGH. Homeopathic HGHs are also available in the
market. The effects and characteristics of homeopathic HGH will
vary with different persons. The benefits may be noticeable
weight loss, more young appearance, and deep sleep. There are no
side effects reported from the available HGH in the market and
from 30x.
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Physiological effects caused by HGH
Imbalance in HGH level causes both direct and indirect effects.
Direct effects are mainly due to the binding of HGH receptors on
the target cells.
Indirect effects are mainly due to the binding of insulin like
growth factor-I (IGF-I), the hormone that is secreted from liver
and other tissues, on the target cells.
HGH also affects growth and metabolism. HGH directly affects the
bone thereby causing difference in cartilage cells (chondrocytes).
HGH also plays an important role in muscle growth thereby
stimulating difference and proliferation of myoblasts. HGH has
more influence in protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism. In
general, HGH encourages protein anabolism in most of the
tissues. This causes more amino acid uptake, increase in
synthesis of protein and decrease in oxidation of |
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proteins. In the case of Fat
metabolism, HGH increases the usage of fat by creating breakdown
of triglycerides and causing oxidation of adipocytes. HGH is
considered to be one of the most important factor for
maintyaining blood glucose levels in normal conditions.
Researches showed that HGH has anti-insulin activity thereby
helps in maintaining carbohydrate metabolism.
Control
in HGH secretion
There are some factors that suppress the production of HGH in
the pituitary glands. The production level of HGH will be
altered by number of factors like stress, sleep disorders,
nutrition, exercise etc. HGH secretion may be decreased due to
the other hormones secreted in pituitary glands of brain and
another hormone produces from the stomach. The two hormones
secreted from brain are (GHRH) Growth hormone-releasing hormone
(it is a hypothalamic peptide which stimulates the secretion of
HGH and synthesis of HGH) and (SS) Somatostatin (it is a peptide
produced by several tissues in the body and also in
hypothalamus). Somatostatin reduces the HGH production level in
response to GHRH. The peptide hormone secreted from the stomach
is referred as Ghrelin and this also plays an important part in
stimulating the production level of HGH. HGH is considered to
reduce the ecretion of GHRH.
The deficiency in growth hormones leads to dwarfism or
retardation in growth. The other two disorders caused due to the
imbalance of growth hormone are Giantism and Acromegaly.
Giantism this disorders
results due to the excessive secretion of growth hormone. This
disorder occurs in small children and persons in adolescent
period. It occurs very rarely. It is charaterised by increase in
weight.
Acromegaly this disorder
also results due to the excessive secretion of growth hormone.
Uses of Growth hormone
Human growth hormone is used for treating children with short
stature. It reduces the aging process. HGH is currently used for
enhancing milk production in cattles. In addition, porcine
growth hormones are used for growing pigs. HGH is a protein
consisting of 191 amino acids and has a molecular weight of
about 22,000 daltons.
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Growth
hormone deficiency
It has been estimated that nearly 10,000 to 15,000 children
suffer from retardation in growth due to deficiency in growth
hormones. The deficiency occurs when there is reduction in the
secretion of growth hormone in the pituitary glands. When other
pituitary ormones are secreted in a less amount, the condition
is called as hypopituitarism. Similarly when all the pituitary
hormones are less, the condition is called panhypopituitarism.
The other hormones that regulate the
growth include
• Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) it makes thyroid glands to
produce thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone is used for regulating
body metabolism and is very important for normal growth.
• Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) this makes the adrenal
glands to produce cortisol, it is nothing but stress hormone.
This creates stress feelings in our mind and secretion of more
stress hormones stops the growth level.
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• Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) this makes sex glands to
produce sex hormones.
• Another important hormone produced by pituitary glands is
called vasopressin, it is referred as anti-diuretic hormone (ADH).
This is used to control water output through the kidneys.
Diagnosis of Growth Hormone Deficiency
Growth hormone deficiency is identified by noticing the physical
appearance. The child suffering from the deficiency of growth
hormone will have small and immature face with fat body. Growth
in all the body parts will be slow compared with normal
children. The affected child’s will be less intelligent than
other normal children. The growth rate is an important factor to
be considered in diagnosis. A child whose growth is stagnant
should immediately be examines by a Doctor. The diagnosis
included in evaluating the heights of all the relatives and
medical records of other disease in the family. The child’s
health reports, nutritional updates, illnesses occurred in the
past, injuries, stress will be evaluated. A complete physical
examination will be done along with taking x-rays in hands to
identify the level of bone growth. Diagnosis accompanies blood
tests also to measure the concentrations of hormones. In
general, it is very difficult to diagnose growth hormone
deficiency. The other way to diagnose growth hormone deficiency
is by testing the blood samples of the child when it is
sleeping.
Treatment of Growth Hormone
Deficiency
The best treatment for controlling growth hormone deficiency is
to inject growth hormones into the body. About 3 to 4 injections
are used in a week while there are also options to take in daily
basis. Growth will start increasing after taking the treatment
and will become noticeable in 3 or 4 months. The treatment
process generally increases the appetite of the child. The
treatment may continue for many years until the child reaches
proper height or maximum growth potential for the age. Normal
growth occurs only when all the hormones are present in proper
amounts and healthy diet is important for the normal growth of
children.
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Article Contributed By: Shilpa V
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