Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is a protein produced by the pituitary gland that promotes growth in children and helps maintain normal body structure in adults. It also plays a role in metabolism by increasing the production of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and its effect on cells in the body. HGH is used to treat children who arent growing as expected and those who are very short. It is also used to treat adults with growth hormone deficiency, which can cause issues such as decreased muscle mass, increased body fat, and decreased bone density.
Some people use HGH as a performance-enhancing drug to build muscle and improve athletic performance, but its effect on athletic performance is unknown. HGH can be produced synthetically and is the active ingredient in a number of prescription drugs and other products available widely over the internet. However, the most common uses for HGH are not FDA-approved, and these products can be harmful. Companies that market these products on TV infomercials or online claim they turn back your bodys biological clock, reducing fat, building muscle, restoring hair growth and color, strengthening the immune system, normalizing blood sugar, increasing energy, and improving sex life, sleep quality, vision, and memory.
HGH can have side effects, including high cholesterol levels, increased risk of diabetes, and the growth of cancerous tumors. If you get the drug illicitly, you may also be at risk of getting Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease (CJD), a brain disease. Therefore, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider if you or your child are experiencing symptoms related to HGH deficiency or excess.
