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Human growth hormone (HGH) is a peptide hormone that promotes healthy growth, development and rejuvenation. This hormone is produced in the body by the pituitary gland- a pea sized organ at the base of the brain. It also aids in controlling body composition, body fluids, growth of muscle and bone, sugar and fat metabolism, and probably the functioning of the heart. HGH is build up of 191 amino acids that create a long, single-chain polypeptide. Growth hormone is produced in the somatotropic cells, which are originated in the anterior pituitary gland. These cells are also accountable for hormone’s release and storage.
Growth hormone is often referred as Height Growth Harmone since it helps in increasing the height of a person. Produced synthetically, it is an active component used in a several recommended drugs and in other products available broadly on the market and over the Internet.
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Types of Human Growth Hormone
Somatotropin
Naturally produced in animals, it is the other name for growth hormone 1.
Somatropin
It is the copied form of growth hormone that is produced using recombinant DNA technologies. It is also termed as under the brand name Humatrope.
Functions and Uses of HGH
Human growth hormone is used extensively in medicine and other supplements to treat unhealthy growth and disorders in children and in adults it is used to treat its deficiency. Growth hormone promotes healthy growth and development in children and adolescents. The higher the level of HGH the better and healthy is the body growth of a person. It is also responsible for checking the bodily fluids, sugar and fat metabolism and heart functioning as well.
Still, at present many of the HGH’s functions are unidentified. However, studies have stated that growth hormone aids in eliminating body fat. On the contrary, it promotes in increasing muscle mass and bone density. This hormone aids in raising the energy levels as well as improves the tone and texture of the skin. Because of these abilities, this hormone has been widely used by the sports competitors since the 1970s and has now been proscribed by the IOC and NCAA.
In 1985, human growth hormone was developed artificially and approved by the FDA for particular uses in children and adults. HGH injections are permitted for children to treat short stature caused of unknown reasons as well as poor growth and disorders due to several medical causes, including:
Turner’s Syndrome
: It is a genetic problem that have an effect on a girl’s development
Prader-Willi Syndrome
: It is a rare genetic disorder that causes poor muscle tone, lower sex hormones, and a continuous feeling of hunger
- Unremitting kidney insufficiency
- Lack of HGH
- Children born smaller in size for gestational age
In Adults, Permitted uses of Human Growth Hormone include:
Short Bowel Syndrome
It is a situation in which nutrients are not properly absorbed by the body. It is caused because of a severe intestinal disease or due to the removal of a large portion of the small intestine through surgery.
- Deficiency of HGH due to uncommon pituitary tumors or their treatment
- Diseases of muscle-wasting that are associated with HIV/AIDS
However, the most ordinary uses of growth hormone are not FDA- approved. People use this hormone along with other function improving drugs like the anabolic steroids in an effort to build muscles and thus perk up athletic presentation. But, till today, the effect of HGH on athletic performance is unidentified.
Since, with age the rate human growth hormone level decreases, the anti-aging experts have considered and declared that products formulated with HGH could undo age related bodily changes. But, these claims have no prove. However, the HGH use for anti-aging is not approved by FDA. On the other hand, some people use HGH injections from doctors who prescribe it for various purposes through Internet pharmacies, anti-aging clinics, and web sites. However, these uses are not permitted by the FDA.
Many people acquire HGH products in the form of tablets and sprays. These HGH products assert to improve the production of HGH in the body. Companies that promotes these products on TV infomercials or online claim to reverse the biological clock of your body, decreasing fat, building muscles, healthy hair growth and colour, enhancing the immune system, regulating blood sugar, increasing energy and improving sex life, sleep quality, eye sight, and memory. However, there is no reliable evidence with the Federal Trade Commission to support the claim that these products have the same properties as prescription HGH, which is always given in the form of injection. Taken orally, HGH gets digested in the stomach before it gets absorbed into the body.
Regulation of Release and Secretion of Growth Hormone
The release of human growth hormone is administered by growth hormone-releasing hormone (somatocrinin) and growth hormone-inhibiting hormone (somatostatin), which are released by the neurosecretory nuclei of the hypothalamus. These ruling hormones are released into the hypophyseal portal venous blood that encloses the pituitary gland. The production of growth hormone in the pituitary gland is controlled by these two hormones, which are influenced by many external stimulatory and inhibitory elements.
There are a number of factors which can encourage or reduce the release of growth hormone.
Some Examples of Growth Hormone Promoters include
- Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH): It acts by uniting to growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (GHRHR)
- Ghrelin performs by combining to growth hormone secretagogue receptors (GHSR)
- During puberty, the sex hormones such as androgens and estrogen encourage the secretion of growth hormone
- The release of growth hormone can also be generated by fasting, low blood sugar and energetic exercises.
The Growth Hormone Secretion can be Reduced Because of
- Release of Somatostatin from the periventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus
- Growth hormone release can be decreased by the harmful feedback on the pituitary and hypothalamus. The blood levels of growth hormone and insulin like growth factor 1 determine this.
Featured Image – HGH Britannica