Human Growth Hormone

In the human body growth hormone (HGH) is produced by the pituitary gland. It is present in large amounts during adolescence, when its promoting tissue generation, protein storage and burning of subcutaneous fat. With age levels of this hormone constantly decrease, remaining present in the body in very small quantities, with very little visible effects. The structure of the human growth hormone is made up of a sequence of 191 amino acids.

Before the pituitary gland releases growth hormone the growth hormone releasing hormone and somatostatin are released by the hypothalamus; this two hormones are the ones who determine the amount of growth hormone released by the pituitary.  There are many factors that influence growth hormone release, including nutrition and exercise.

After being isolated by scientists it was proven that this hormone has fantastic therapeutic properties, especially in pituitary galnd deficiencies. 

It was first isolated in 1956 and its structure was identified in 1972. The first drugs containing growth hormone appeared in the 80's. The only source of growth hormone was represented by the pituitary gland of human corpses. But this method was short lived because these drugs could infect patients with a very rare brain disease that was fatal. Today all HGH drugs are syntheti. It is almost impossible to find products containing HGH extracted from dead bodies, like the old Grorm. 

The use of growth hormone in sports spread increasingly more and more because of its many beneficial effects. The promoter was Dan Duchaine (as is the case for many other substances used today in bodybuilding).

HGH is a protein that stimulates the body cells to grow in size, but also to divide more rapidly, increasing their number. It improves the rate at wich amino acids pass through the cell membrane and increases the conversion rate of amino acids into proteins. In other words, it creates an anabolic environment in the body. Furthermore, growth hormone decreases the rate at which cells use carbohydrates for energy, favoring the use of fats. Thus, growth hormone builds muscle while burning fat. 
HGH causes skeletal muscles growth but also all the other organs in the body, except the brain and eyes. 

How anabolic is growth hormone? In one study, endurance athletes at rest, who have used HGH, were in an anabolic state. In other words, you could run marathons and still be able build muscles.

Human Growth Hormone is released by the pituitary gland in pulses during sleep, by two peptides: growth hormone-releasing hormone and somatostatin. These two peptides are released one by one. As you can imagine, the hormone that releases growth hormone is responsible for stimulating the pituitary gland (obviously!).

HGH can stimulate the regeneration and strengthening of cartilages (an advantage for those training with very heavy weights). But this process requires a mediator, somatomedin (IGF - Insulin-like growth factor), which is secreted by the liver in response to growth hormone. IGF is the one that promotes cartilage restoration. The increased levels of IGF-1 occurs at 20 hours after HGH is administered. 

Even though HGH needs IGF to rebuild cartilages, can increase bone length alone; It has a beneficial effect on erythropoietin, which influences even more the anabolic processes but also endurance.

Every process in the body has a negative feedback. And human growth hormone is no exepcion. The negative ffedback in its case it involves IGF. When the liver releases IGF-1 sends a signal to the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to stop producing growth hormone.

Now something interesting: even if growth hormone is a very good muscle builder and a good fat burner, is a poor choice when trying to increase strength. It may seem illogical, those who use it claiming otherwise. But usually it used along with anabolic and androgenic steroids and other substances that increase the strenght. 

Although its baned in sports, no tests to detect HGH through urine exists The only method to detect HGH is by bloodworks.

The degree in which HGH helps an athlete has been the subject of a long dispute. Some claim it is the most anabolic substance, capable of amazing things, that can increases muscle mass and burn fat at the same time in a very short period of time. Because it is used only by professional competitors who can afford such expensive substances, a greater aura of mystery surrounds HGH. Many say that the tons of muscle at Mr. Olympia shows are 100% due to the use of growth hormone. And there are those who say it is a waste of money and time that it has no anabolic properties and the high price makes it totally useless when compared to steroids. With so many conflicting opinions who should we believe? 

First we need to understand why results vary so much. It seems like the most logical explanation is the extremely high price. The technology used to develope the product is expensive so HGH is expensive. An athlete uses HGh long periods of time, so the cost of such a cycle is very high. Estimating a price is irrelevant, prices are often changing, but it is about money. Most can not afford such sums and compensate by using low doses. This will lead to very low or no effect. If you can not afford a solid cycle of HGH you should not try at all. The high cost is given by the fact that HGh must be used long periods of time to be efficient, 3-4 months. Some say that only after 2 months its effects are begining to show. And many pros usit for 6 months or even more.

HGH doses

To achieve the best results doses are 2-6 I.U. (international units)/day, but somepeople use it at higher doses. The ideal dose is calculated based on body weight. Most pros use 2-4 I.U./day. It was believed that daily administration is very important because HGH has a short halflife. But subsequent studies have refuted this hypothesis. The best way is every other day. In this way you mimic the pulses trough wich the body releases HGH and prevent supersaturation of hormone receptors, which leads to better results in the long term.

So the best way to take it is every other day; on the day is taken the total dose is plit into two on in the morning after waking up and one before bed. The optimal dose is 0,028 IU / kg. So someone who weighs 90 kilograms will take 2.5 I.U. twice daily for a total daily dose of 5 I.U.

HGH reaches peak levels in 4-6 hours after administration and has a half life of 30 minutes. Clearly this makes maintaining constant levels of HGH in the blood very difficult. Also the effects are more pronounced when used over long periods of time, often several months. It can be used for shorter periods, especially when fat loss is the goal. In this case the cycle should last at least 6 weeks. Generally it has a slow action and results are visible after 8-12 weeks. 

Can be administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously (the last is the most commonly used). Subcutaneous injections have a 75% absorption rate and intramuscular injections have 63% absorption rate. Subcutaneous injection can cause spot reducion of fat, making it necessary to change the injection site each time for a symmetrical look. It seems that most people agree when it comes to fat burning properties of HGH: they arepronounced and quickly seen and there is no need for high doses.

Other substances can be stacked with growth hormone for the best results. It seems that the body needs and a greater amount of thyroid hormones, insulin and androgens when HGH levels are high. For starters, the addition of a thyroid hormones will increase the thermogenic effect of the cycle. It can be Cytomel and Synthroid (T3 or T4). Insulin is usualy present in such a cycle, especially for its anabolic properties. Steroids are also needed for HGH to reach its anabolic potential. Preferably something androgen like testosterone or trenbolone. The androgenic effect is welcome because it promotes anabolism by other means than those of HGH. This combination of HGH, anabolics, insulin and T3 is very synergistic. However it should be taken into account that  thyroid hormones and insulin are powerful substances that involve certain additional risks. Such strong combinations are risky and not even many pros don't use them. Amateurs should stay away from such cycles and watch them as a curiosity, an inside look in the "secrets"of some pros. 

Side effects of human growth hormone

HGH has some side effects, that can vary from individual to individual. Bone thickening or thinning, especially the hands, feet and forehead; internal organs enlargement; hypoglycemia due to insulin resistance; CTS. However, these side effects are rare, such problems are rarely reported among athletes who use moderate doses, even if they do it regularly and for long periods of time. But if there is a noticeable change in bone structure, skin texture or other alarming signs administration should be discontinued immediately.Not just for a while but forever! 

Water retention and gynecomastia are possible when using HGH. A common side effect is water gain arround ankles and wrists, , along with joint pain and headaches. This side effects appear especialy at the begining of the cycle and then gradually disappear.

Other side effects that may occur are: low T3 levels, nausea, dizziness, respiratory infections, skin numbness, injection site irritation and the formation of a small bump. Usualy HGH is injected into the abdomen, being the only hormone that can directly burn the fat from where is injected. 
The abuse of growth hormone, the use of very high doses or its use for a very long period of time, can lead to enlargement of hands, feet, jaw and internal organs. It can also cause type II diabetes due to increased insulin resistance.

Due to high prices, there are many fake products on the market. Much of what is present on the black market is actually HCG packed as HGH. Such products can be detected through a pregnancy test bought from the pharmacy. These tests work by detecting HCG in the urine. After a week after starting the HGH cycle inject 1 ml growth hormone before bed. When you wake up do the pregnancy test. If its positive congratulations, you've been scammed. You are using HCG not HGH.

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