How the Human Growth Hormones Affect the Body

Hormones are tiny chemical messengers that help our body do different tasks. Hormones are made up of amino acids. Hormones are produced by the endocrine glands and then sent all over the body to stimulate certain activities. For example, Insulin is a well known hormone that helps our body digest food. Our growth, digestion, reproduction and sexual functions are all triggered by hormones.

Human Growth Hormones (HGH) is one of the most discussed and most researched “hormones” of today.  More than 10, 000 sites are devoted in promoting HGH supplements in the internet.  More and more health experts are including HGH and its effects in their health articles and discussions. 

Human Growth Hormone was primarily used to boost height of shorter children.  However, people found many uses of it throughout the years.  Nowadays, HGH is being used to slow down aging; used as a “sports designer drug” that enhances performances of professional athletes; and used by body builders to increase muscle size and strength so they could become “Superman”.

The reason behind HGH hype was probably attributed to the fact that most of the sites devoted to it are perpetuating the benefits of HGH for the body.  The boom of HGH use in the elderly in the past 10 years is not surprising. It is clear that many people would rather possibly cut their life short by a year but live each year to its fullest. This thought seems to come up consistently with each elderly person who uses it.   

However, one important question remains unanswered:  How does HGH affect the body?

HGH is said to cause your bones, muscles and other tissues to grow, cause your body to burn fat and retain fluids, and boost and revitalize immune system.  Moreover, it also enhances fertility and function, restores sense of wellness and enhances memory.  It also protects and detoxifies the body; promote deeper, more restful sleep; smooth wrinkles and improve skin texture and tone; improve hair and nail growth; and increase energy. 

However, several listed side effects of HGH include an increase in blood pressure, fluid retention, carpal tunnel syndrome, and joint pain.  The use of growth hormone has also been tied to an increase in insulin resistance that leads to diabetes. 

Moreover, the effects of abuse of HGH as an anabolic steroid used by athletes and body builders include acromegaly, gigantism and metabolic disturbances.  Creutzfield-Jacob disease has been associated with some eastern European supplies of HGH.