Human Growth Hormone commonly known as Growth hormones or HGH is synthesized and secreted by the lateral wings of anterior pituitary gland. A large number of researches and studies have been conducted worldwide in order to prove the efficacy of growth hormone in delaying aging process. Most of these studies have shown very promising results.
The functions of growth hormone on human body are mainly anabolic i.e. it comprehensively plays a vital role in building all the parts of body. The common functions of growth hormone are to increase muscle mass, decrease body fat and increase bone density. So how it is helpful in slowing the aging process?
A study was conducted on 12 men having age of greater than 60 yrs. Artificially prepared growth hormone was given to all of them for a specific period of time and at the end of the day it was observed that it really showed the results and improvement was seen in all the men.
Actually the anabolic effects of the growth hormone were so helpful that the lean body mass of these men was significantly increased and bone mineral density was also increased. Usually in a period of 10 to 20 years after 60 years destructive changes occur in the body resulting in lean body mass and decreased bone density. So growth hormone showed to prevent these destructive changes. This study is present in New England Journal of Medicine.
Some other studies showed that growth hormone increased the muscular weight by 2 kg in healthy elderly people. It also showed to decrease body fat by some amount. However, no other beneficial effects were seen in this study which proved its anti aging effects.
Human Growth hormone has also been used in treatment of many other diseases and has shown marvelous results in this regard. These diseases include Prader-Willi syndrome, chronic renal failure, intrauterine growth retardation, idiopathic short stature and Turner syndrome. All the conditions are associated with stunted growth and high dose therapy is required to see the response in all these conditions.
