Human Growth Hormone or “HGH” for short is a hormone produced by the somatotropic cells. These cells are very specific and specialized cells of the anterior pituitary which is a gland that is found in the deep regions of the brain.

HGH is the most liberal hormone released from the anterior pituitary due mainly to the fact that almost 40 percent of the anterior pituitary gland is composed of somatotropic cells. In it’s most basic form, HGH is essentially composed of a string of 196 amino acids.

Because of the huge amount of misinformation spread about human growth hormone and HGH – there is a common misconception that HGH is responsible for nothing more than our growth from children to adults. This is simply not the case. In terms of adulthood, HGH is arguably the most powerful anti-aging molecule in the body – helping the cells in our body to repair themselves, regenerate and replicate.

In fact, unlike most other hormones produced by the anterior pituitary, human growth hormone does not focus on any specific gland or tissue in the human body. Rather it has a considerable influence on almost all tissues and cells of the human body. Below we will discuss the different effects that HGH has on both physiological functions and metabolism.

How HGH Interacts With The Body

Human growth hormone aids in the development of normal growth and development from infancy to adulthood. The considerable effects of HGH tend to decline once we have reached our predetermine genetic height and size.

The consistent and dramatic growth we experience from infancy to adulthood can be attributed to the effect that human growth hormone has on almost all the cells in our body. HGH helps increase the size and the number of cells in the body and also with what is called “cellular differentiation.”

What this means essentially is that HGH will help and individual cell differentiate itself by developing into either a muscle cell or bone cell. Human growth hormone causes an increase in the levels of protein in the cells that are used for bone development and in the specific cells that cause bone development to occur.

HGH Production.

HGH like all other hormone in the human body, is influenced by what is often referred to as a “negative feedback loop.” This negative feedback loop acts like a thermostat to regulate the amounts of human growth hormone produced by the body. The secretion of HGH by the pituitary is essentially controlled by another gland in the body called the hypothalamus.

The hypothalamus is like a “thermostat” in your house – as it always manages the changing shifts in hormone production and secretion within the body. The hypothalamus produces two hormones that help in the overall regulation of HGH production and secretion. These two hormones are called Meditropin and Somatostatin.

Aging and HGH Levels.

As we age we naturally see a drop in the levels of HGH secreted by the anterior pituitary. This decline in HGH is known as somatopause. In essence, the levels of HGH found in the body peak in early adulthood and then gradually decline as we age. Studies have shown that the levels of HGH found in the body in our 60s are only 20% of what they were in our early 20s.

Studies have also shown that the aging associated with reduced levels of HGH, are more apparent the lower the levels of HGH. In fact individuals in their 50s who have lower than average levels of HGH, will show the appearance of a person closer to the age of 65 years old. This is because of the significant role that human growth hormone plays in cell development.

It’s also due to the loss of protein in the tissues, which is often replaced with fat. The physiological effects of this process is an increase in fatty tissue, an increase in wrinkling of the skin while at the same time a decrease in muscle strength and overall muss mass.

Due to the fact that HGH production decreases as we age there is a wide array of effects that this has on the body. Here is a list of some of the effects that reduced levels of HGH can have on the body:

• Decreased immune system and function
• Decreased muscle mass and muscle strength
• Decreased levels of energy and vitality.
• Increased levels of body fat
• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
• Increased wrinkling of the skin
• Decreased sexual desire and function
• Increased weight gain and reduced metabolic rate
• Increased anxiety levels and risk of depression
• Increased risk of osteoporosis
• Decreased stamina and well being

It is very clear from this list that HGH plays a very important role in human health and well being. It is obvious that HGH production effects our physiology and metabolism well beyond infancy and well into adulthood. Studies have shown that increasing the levels of human growth hormone naturally decreases the wide array of symptoms experienced as a result of the aging process.

Naturally Raising HGH Levels

It is widely known and accepted that the release of HGH from the pituitary gland can be encouraged using specific nutrients to stimulate the release of natural HGH from the pituitary. This can in tern have a dramatic effect on the aging process and help restore vitality and well being.

Naturally raising the levels of HGH found in the body can lead to increased levels of energy, increased stamina, reduced levels of body fat, increased levels of sex drive and stamina, improvement in muscle mass and strength, decreased wrinkling of the skin and increased tissue healing.

Until quite recently, these positive effects were only available to individuals using expensive injectable human growth hormone. However, over the last few years there has been an increase in the available alternatives that can be used to raise the levels of HGH found in the body. These include the following:

1. Applying various nutrients that are known to stimulate the production of HGH from the anterior pituitary.
2. Adjusting dietary intake to increase HGH production while avoiding foods that are known to inhibit HGH secretion.
3. Using exercise to build muscle fast, stimulate HGH production and increase human growth hormone secretion.

Many studies have shown that there are nutritional and botanical agents that along with a specific exercise and dietary program can help to naturally boost the levels of HGH found in the body. However, it is not enough to simply ingest the available nutritional supplements without following a very specific dietary and exercise program to maximize their effectiveness.

While it is true that stimulating the production of HGH in the body has many health benefits, it is also true that regular exercise combined with dietary and nutritional supplementation will yield the fastest and most enduring results. We now know that HGH is a powerful tool in the fight against aging.