HGH: Is This Hormone the Fountain of Youth?

Over the years, more and more people have been researching and using HGH to look younger. 

But could this hormone really be the key? 

This article will explore and explain what this hormone is, what it does, if it works, and its possible side effects.

What is HGH?

Human growth hormone, or HGH, is a product made and secreted by the pituitary gland and is responsible for early development. In fact, if a child does not have sufficient HGH, they may not grow to their full height.

When the body reaches fifty years of age, HGH levels drop dramatically. This is also the time when most humans really start to gain weight and see a decrease in the muscle mass of their body. So, it would make sense that people link HGH to aging. But is it true?

But does HGH work to make people look younger?

While there are many products in existence that tell you that growth hormone does, in fact, make you look younger, enough studies have not been done to provide conclusive evidence. 

One of them, performed by Stanford researchers, followed 500 elderly people using the hormone. 

It was concluded that there was “a slight improvement in lean body mass” but the participants were also “more likely to develop joint swelling and pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome.”

Further research done on users who took HGH for an average of six months showed reduced body fat, but there were no signs that the hormone prolonged life or even reversed aging. Some medical professionals strictly advise against its use and say that this product is no fountain of youth. 

Non-supporters even go as far as saying that “doctors who prescribe it for this purpose [anti-aging] are breaking the law." Others merely believe that better studies are needed to help us understand what this product can do as an anti-aging treatment.

What does HGH do?

The list of things that HGH does for the body is almost endless:

o   It enhances strength

o   It boosts energy levels

o   It helps get rid of unwanted weight

o   It increases memory

o   It decreases the appearance of wrinkles

o   It boosts libido and can help erectile dysfunction

o   It helps provide a higher quality of sleep

o   It boosts the mood

But does HGH have any side effects?

Not everything is as perfect as it seems, what with all the health benefits that HGH offers. There are some serious side effects that come with using this hormone.

The short-term side effects are as follows:

o   Nausea

o   Vomiting

o   Fluid buildup

Longer term side effects include:

o   Heart failure

o   Increased blood pressure

o   Increased risk of diabetes

o   Inflammation

o   Joint pain

o   Swelling

The Verdict?

Although research has been done studying the uses of this hormone and there is evidence that it helps you FEEL younger, not enough exists that really proves, without the shadow of a doubt, that HGH reverses aging. 

The benefits of using the product are undisputable, but so are the risks.

For more information on natural alternatives, read our article on growth hormone releasing supplements.