Alternatives to Human Growth Hormone Therapy

Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has become a highly controversial topic. The sports media glorifies HGH therapy by discussing it constantly while vilifying those who have or were suspected of using it. Meanwhile, human growth hormone therapy is perfectly legal with a doctor's prescription and is even advertised at so-called "anti-aging" clinics. The public has questioned the safety of human growth hormone therapy, what it does, whether it works, and the alternatives to synthetic injections.

Benefits

Growth hormone, naturally produced by the pituitary gland, plays a major role in the growth of all tissues--including muscle. Growth hormone helps individuals grow muscle, which in turn will raise metabolism, burn fat, improve brain function and improve cardiovascular output.

Side Effects

Side effects of human growth hormone therapy injections may include elevated blood pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome and enlarged breasts. Large HGH injections can cause adverse effects on the pituitary gland, as it may shut down production of natural growth hormone because the body is getting it another way.

Misconceptions

Human growth hormone therapy can only be effective if taken by means of injection. The body never loses the ability to produce high levels of growth hormone. However, natural growth hormone production slows with age, poor diet, stress, smoking and drug and alcohol consumption.

Expert Insight

Growth hormone is released during deep REM sleep. Make sure the bedroom is as dark as possible and try to get at least 8 hours of sleep per night.
Weightlifting produces a positive growth hormone response from the pituitary gland. Growth hormone can be secreted for approximately an hour of strength training and will begin production again as muscle recovery begins. Many studies have concluded that a decreased rest time between weightlifting sets increases the amount of growth hormone production.
Growth hormone is also produced during cardiovascular activity up to 90 minutes in duration. Extreme intensity for at least 10 of those minutes maximizes output.

Considerations

Many foods can assist in increased growth hormone production as well. Foods that produce a large insulin response will also provide a growth hormone response because insulin is the most powerful anabolic hormone in the body. While starches may be harmful for individuals with arthritis, they can be very anabolic when consumed right before or after a workout. Citrus fruits and berries do much of the same. Other foods that can help with growth hormone are fish, chicken, organic red meat and dairy products, eggs and nuts and seeds. Processed foods can decrease the pituitary gland's ability to produce growth hormone.

Resources

• The Mayo Clinic's take