The human growth hormone (HGH) is produced in the pituitary gland – located at the base of the brain. HGH is a complex hormone consisting of 191 amino acids and is vital to regeneration of all body cells from muscles to our immune system.
HGH has many functions but it is most widely known for increasing height during childhood and adolescence. The hormone enhances tissue growth in the body because it stimulates protein formation. It is a naturally produced hormone and considered to be a key hormone to the body’s health as it controls so many functions.
The hormone has more impact on the cells in our bodies than any other because it is the cell generator. It also affects calcium retention and bone strength, muscle mass, protein synthesis, internal organ growth (excluding the brain) and the liver’s uptake of glucose. The hormone also plays a big role in metabolism in adulthood.
HGH is related to all of the health benefits that are associated with youth, such as vitality, energy, and stamina. The body secretes the hormone in decreasing amounts in our lifetime, meaning the body produces less of the hormone as we get older.
As our HGH production begins to slow our body’s ability to maintain the health we have enjoyed in our youth decreases too. The decrease in HGH is the reason we begin to age and the health of our organs and cells deteriorate.
Although HGH is natural and essential in the body, there can be negative side effects if the body produces too much. The most common disease related to excess HGH is pituitary tumours.
The condition is extremely rare and generally does not appear until the fifth decade of life. The effects of the tumour and excess HGH can be impaired vision from the tumour pressuring optic nerves, excessive growth, and, thickening of the bones.
As well as negative effects of excessive HGH, the body can suffer if there is a deficiency of the hormone. If this occurs in children it can result in growth failure and can also cause delayed sexual maturity. Deficiencies in adults are very rare but they can lead to obesity and a decrease in muscle mass, energy, and therefore quality of life.