Growth hormone is a key hormone that affects the balance of tissues in the body. In childhood, it accelerates the growth of the body, and in adults – a set of muscle mass. Plus, this hormone suppresses the action of insulin and increases the potential of electrolytes (potassium and calcium) – activating fat burning.
However, high levels of growth hormones are associated with health risks. Excess somatropin leads to a change in the face, provokes the growth of internal organs, and also suppresses libido. Research suggests that growth hormone actually speeds up the aging process.
What is growth hormone?
Growth hormone (or somatropin) is a short-structure protein produced at the base of the brain. Its synthesis is due to a complex combination of other hormones produced in the hypothalamus, intestinal tract (eg. ghrelin), pancreas (insulin), and thyroid hormones.
The amount of the hormone formed depends on the age of the person – it is maximum in children, high in adolescence, and after 35-40 years it begins to decline at a rate of 15-17% per decade. Growth hormone levels rise after exercise, after sleep, and after injury.
The pituitary gland releases growth hormones in batches. Under normal conditions, the production prevails at night – which suggests that the measurement of somatropin levels during the day is incorrect. The basic concentration of growth hormone in the blood is 1-5 ng/ml, during peaks rising to values of 10-20 and even 45 ng/ml.
How does it affect the body?
In children and adolescents, somatropin stimulates the growth of bones and cartilage. In adults, growth hormone increases the rate of protein synthesis, affects the absorption of fats (and, therefore, cholesterol levels), and also interferes with the action of insulin – that is, it builds muscle and complicates the formation of body fat.
Research suggests that growth hormone also plays a role in electrolyte metabolism. These are the minerals sodium, potassium, and calcium. Keep in mind that calcium is needed not only as a building material for bones but also to regulate the transfer of energy by body cells.
Ultimately, somatropin regulates the processes of using carbohydrates – both assimilation from food and accumulation in the form of glycogen in the muscles. Increasing insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) creates a need for increased insulin production – helping to normalize blood sugar levels.
Pros and cons, benefits and harms
Excess growth hormone negatively affects the body. In childhood, this leads to gigantism (uncontrolled increase in height), and in adults – to acromegaly. This disease is associated with the growth of soft tissues of the face, nose, and chin – as well as other tissues.
A high level of somatropin can lead to a decrease in libido, arterial hypertension (hypertension), and even diabetes. Among other things, the heart, kidneys, and liver increase. As a result, it is statistically associated with arthritis, prostate cancer, and earlier mortality.
Low levels of growth hormone
In childhood, growth hormone deficiency can be explained both by damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland during fetal development and by mutations in the genes that regulate its production. In this case, the child must undergo treatment, which involves injections of somatropin.
In turn, in adults, growth hormone deficiency is associated with fatigue, lack of energy, depressed mood, decreased muscle strength, decreased muscle mass, thin and dry skin, and low bone density.
Does growth hormone help against aging?
In the 1990s, there was a theory that growth hormone injections help keep you young. There is even a scientific study in which 65-year-old men received somatropin injections for 6 months. The result was fat burning, increased muscle mass, and bone health.
However, modern scientific research refutes this idea. They unequivocally confirm that a high level of growth hormone accelerates the aging of the body – while blocking the excessive production of this hormone in mice extended the lifespan of individuals by 25-60%.
According to a review of scientific papers, the physiological functions of growth hormone on the body (i.e., stimulating body growth and puberty processes) involve a significant expenditure of resources – which, as a result, limits life expectancy and accelerates the aging process.
Growth hormone is a key hormone responsible for the balance of body tissues. It increases muscle mass gain and accelerates fat burning. However, excessively high levels of somatropin negatively affect health, increase the risk of cancer and shorten life expectancy.