HGH Review: All You Need to Know About Growth Hormone

What's Worth Knowing About HGH?

Perhaps, you only recently learned about human growth hormone (HGH) and wish to know more. You may be curious as to whether all the talk about it and its benefits is justified. Well, here is an HGH review to help you know virtually all that matters about this popular hormone.

Understanding human growth hormone

Also known simply as growth hormone (GH), hGH is a polypeptide hormone. It is made up of 191 amino acids and has a molecular weight around 22,124 daltons. This substance plays very crucial role in the promotion of growth and development in humans and other animals. It facilitates cell reproduction, repair and regeneration. The hormone, also referred to as somatotropin, is produced and secreted by somatotropic cells of the anterior pituitary gland.

There are several factors that control the release of growth hormone in the body. Perhaps, most notable among these is the hypothalamus' neurosecretory nuclei. These produces somatocrinin or growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin or growth hormone-inhibiting hormone (GHIH). The peptide substances help to regulate (increase or decrease) growth hormone production appropriately. Deep sleep, exercise, sex hormones, and fasting are some of the other HGH production stimulators.

However, there can be problem of low growth hormone levels, or a deficiency. This leads to serious growth and development issues as well as onset of several medical conditions and aging signs. To fight most of these problems, scientists have been able to synthesize a recombinant form known as somatropin. This is typically sold only on prescription.

HGH A Controversial Substance

Since this is an HGH review, it pertinent to mention that the uses of the substance are controversial. Synthetic growth hormone is mostly recommended for children with severe growth and development issues, resulting from growth hormone deficiency. Approved uses include treatment of:

Stunted growth or short stature
Short bowel syndrome
Prader-Willi syndrome
Turner's syndrome

The hormone is also allowed for the treatment of adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) with medical implications. An individual can be born with this condition or develop it as an adult. Its presence worsens the normal signs of aging such as muscle mass loss, weight gain, bone density decline, and high blood cholesterol.

As it is, rHGH (growth hormone of recombinant technology origin) can only be legally used for limited purposes. But is that what really obtains nowadays? Not by any chance. HGH is now being used for many off-label purposes. One may not be wrong to say it is used more for these other reasons, including weight less, anti-aging, and bodybuilding. Some athletes also use it for performance enhancement, so much so it had been banned by several sports' bodies. The fact that it is illegal to use somatropin for such purposes has not proved enough to dissuade users. The popularity of off-label uses started from the early 1990s when some studies stressed the awesome benefits of growth hormone.

Many older individuals are believed to take HGH treatment these days to slow aging. Celebrities and popular figures are supposedly more involved in this. These somewhat regard the hormone as the "Fountain of Youth." Many professional bodybuilders also include the substance in their regimen. But there have been claims and counter-claims as regard efficacy. While some studies have somehow backed the off-label benefits of HGH, some others also pointed out that they offer no such effects – at least, not as much as believed.

HGH supplementation options

The market has been flooded with a variety of HGH products. This is no doubt connected to high consumer interest in boosting HGH levels to enjoy the promised benefits. For the purpose of this HGH review, the most popular options you have include:

HGH injections

These were originally the only option people have for correcting growth hormone deficiency (GHD). They feature synthetic HGH which has similar molecular structure as the naturally occurring substance in the body. This makes HGH injections the perfect replacement in the case of a deficiency. But, in the United States, somatropin is strictly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). You cannot get it without prescription from your doctor and you can only get that for approved conditions. It is illegal to use these injections for off-label purposes, such as anti-aging, weight loss and bodybuilding. On top of that, you may find the cost quite prohibitive and unjustified, unless you have a serious medical condition.

HGH releasers

Known simply as HGH supplements, these are usually all-natural products that stimulate production of growth hormone in the body. The secretagogues like Growth Factor Plus, Genfx, Sytropin and HGH X2 do not contain real hormone, unlike in the case of HGH injections. They are made using natural, sometimes clinically-proven ingredients which work on your pituitary gland to secrete more growth hormone. The supplements typically blend ingredients such as amino acids, herbs, vitamins and/or minerals. They are, as such, regarded mainly as dietary supplements. Hence, there is no need for prescription to buy them. They are basically over-the-counter (OTC) pills.

Oral HGH sprays

Companies making this type of HGH products often claim them as being a great, more affordable alternative to HGH injections. Some of these are said to contain real HGH that is absorbed into the bloodstream via the oral lining. This evades the possibility of the constituent growth hormone being damaged by stomach acids. The larger number, however, works mainly by stimulating the pituitary gland to secrete more hGH. They are often classified as releasers for this reason. A number of these products work indirectly. They supposedly release growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) which, in turn, causes more hGH to be secreted. You also do not need a prescription to buy oral HGH sprays.

Homeopathic HGH

As the name implies, this sort of HGH product has its foundation in homeopathy. They usually contain growth hormone in very minute quantity, following application of homeopathic practice of dilution. The preparation often features other ingredients, such as amino acids and herbs. They mostly come in form of sprays or drops. You do not need a doctor's prescription to get homeopathic HGH.

There are still other types of HGH supplementation options, including topical creams and patches. However, these are less popular and there is significant uncertainty over their efficacy.

HGH Results

Our HGH review will probably not be thorough enough without talking about results from treatment. Clinical evidence has shown that HGH offers many wonderful benefits, which is why many turn to it anyway. What you can expect from a growth hormone boost include:

Increase in energy levels
Decrease in body fat
Improvement in bone mineral density
Fresh, younger-looking skin
Increase in lean muscle mass
Greater muscle strength
Faster healing of injuries and fractures
Enhancement of exercise capacity
Reduction in risk of having cardiovascular disease
Improved sleep quality
Boost in mood
Better ability to recall things or events
Improved concentration and focus
Stronger immune system to fight diseases and infections
Promotion of healthy-looking hair growth
Improvement in sexual function

You will notice these results faster with HGH therapy since it involves like-for-like growth hormone replacement. HGH supplements can also help, but not as fast as somatropin injections. The changes you may notice in a week with real HGH treatment may take several weeks for releasers to produce.

But then, you have no better choice than HGH supplements like Genf20 plus if you are not suffering from medical deficiency. They are your best options for fighting aging, building lean muscle, or promoting weight loss without fear of legal penalties. You can combine the releasers with lifestyle changes for amplified effect. Exercise, healthy diet and restful sleep are some very helpful ways to naturally boost HGH levels.

Cost of HGH Treatment

The next thing in our HGH review is cost of treatment. Now, how much you will need to spend to receive growth hormone boost will depend largely on the option chosen. Be ready to spend as much as thousands of dollars each month if you opt for somatropin therapy. This synthetic hormone is quite costly, in part, because of the huge investment that goes into its development. Besides, it is virtually a perfect replacement for the growth hormone produced within the body. Costs of HGH injections start from around $600 and may be as high as more than $7,000 a month! Different factors determine the actual amount you will need to pay. This include brand of somatropin for treatment, dosage, and the clinic you wish to use.

Spending so much money on HGH injections may not be worth it, unless you have serious growth hormone deficiency issues. Going by what we have discussed so far in this HGH review, other products could be more advisable. HGH releasers, sprays, homeopathic HGH and others cost just a very tiny fraction of what somatropin injections command. Many of these have price tags around $30 – you may even find some selling for less than $20. You will be spending no more than $100 on these in a month in many cases. Obviously, these other products offer better alternatives for those without deficiency problem and who are operating on a tight budget.

Important considerations

With all we have discussed so far, the appeal (or efficacy) of HGH injections may prove too strong to ignore. We understand if you feel that way. But there are some things we need to emphasize before you take the dive.

• As we noted earlier in our HGH review, HGH is strictly regulated by the FDA. You cannot legally buy or take it without a doctor’s prescription. What this means is that you may have to turn to the black market for supply when using for off-label purposes. This is risky and could earn you not only huge fines but also jail time if caught with illegally-obtained HGH.
• There are possible side effects from the use of HGH injections. These include injection-site reaction, carpal tunnel syndrome, joint pain and swelling. Somatropin use can increase risk of you having diabetes and may be a Hodgkin’s lymphoma risk factor. The risk is greater when you source the synthetic HGH from the black market.
• Excess growth hormone in the body may result from taking HGH injections without supervision. This can lead to pituitary tumors, decline in sexual function, and abnormal thickening of bones in your jaw, fingers and toes, among others.
• You may become entirely dependent on HGH injections over time, if care is not taken. When you take them regularly, while your pituitary gland is still healthy, you risk shutting down natural production of human growth hormone in your body.

Human growth hormone has several awesome benefits to offer the body, making it essential to have sufficient level. HGH injections offer a great means for those with very low levels to improve such. They are the most effective in raising growth hormone amount in the body. However, somatropin is approved for limited conditions; is expensive, and may not be entirely safe. You may be better off with products that do not contain real hormone, including HGH releasers and homeopathic HGH. We will conclude this HGH review by advising you to talk with your doctor before using any HGH supplement.