Mankind’s oldest enemies have always been the twin specters of aging and death. They are the great equalizers for mortal beings. Ponce de Leon fell victim to both – he was mortally wounded by an Indian’s arrow near Charlotte Harbor as he raced to find the elusive fountain of youth. Since that time, innumerable potions, creams, rituals, and snake oils have claimed to fight this menacing duo-without success.
In the July 5, 1990 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine, Daniel Rudman, M.D. published the first scientific evidence that aging can be reversed. Rudman found the silver bullet for life extension-Human Growth between the two groups after six months were dramatic. Those receiving HGH demonstrated a 10-20 year reversal in the aging process-turning their flabby, tired, frail bodies into stronger, sleeker, more energetic specimens.
Without exercise or diets, they lost 14% in body fat and gained 8.8% in lean muscle mass. What is HGH? How does it work? HGH is a hormone released from the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. It is converted to IGF-1 in the liver. IGF-1 controls all regulation, regeneration, and cellular replacement in the body. After age 20, HGH production declines 14% every ten years and by age 60 it is not uncommon for our HGH levels to be reduced by 75%.
Recent studies have demonstrated that by maintaining HGH levels equivalent to the average 35-year-old, many of life’s aging limitations thought to be unavoidable can be prevented, delayed or reversed. The potential benefits of HGH replacement/maintenance include:
- Increases lean muscle mass
- Fat loss without dieting
- Higher energy level
- Enhanced sexual performance
- Improved cardiac function
- Better memory
- Improved sleep
- Reduced fatigue and depression of aging
- Mood elevation
- Sharpening of the senses
- Improved immune function
- Enhanced exercise performance
- Reduced blood pressure
- Improved cholesterol profile
- Faster wound healing
- Younger, thicker, smoother skin, less wrinkles
- Hair re-growth
- Reduction of cellulite
- Improved efficiency of other hormones
There are two ways to increase our levels of HGH, or by replacing the HGH our body cannot provide.
Stimulating HGH Naturally
We can stimulate our own hormone levels naturally through a program that combines lifestyle changes, diet, exercise and proper nutrient supplements.
Aggressive aerobic exercise can raise HGH levels 150-200%. Intensive weight training can increase HGH levels even more, up to 400%. If you are over your ideal weight, restricting caloric intake and modifying your diet to be high in protein, low in fat and simple sugars will improve HGH levels. Insulin is a known inhibitor of HGH release. As many bodybuilders already know, it is important to reduce the amount of simple sugars in the diet, especially after exercise; this will maximize the benefits of exercise and maintain optimum HGH levels.
Many nutrients, most of which are amino acids, have been shown to increase HGH in both young and old individuals. They are safe, effective, and available without a prescription and cost less than $2.00 per day. Your health care provider or local health food store should be able to provide you with information on these beneficial substances:
HGH Replacement
HGH formulations are designed to replace deficient levels of growth hormone. Anyone considering this method must consult with a physician knowledgeable in longevity medicine to ensure both safe and efficient use. Only a few of the many therapies for anti-aging offered today are truly effective to any degree, and they cannot be obtained without a prescription.
HGH is most efficiently replenished by daily injections. Usually HGH is injected daily for five or six days with one or two days off and then this cycle is repeated weekly or modified to each individuals particular need. The most common side effects are joint aches and swollen hands or feet. At the same time, it is important to stress that there are few long-term studies of HGH injection therapy in adults. The cost of daily injections averages $20 per day.
Stimulated by the need to reduce the cost and the ease of administration of HGH, oral replacement of HGH and HGH releasing hormones has been pursued.
Most recently a trans-dermal HGH lotion has been developed,- early studies of which have revealed extraordinary results. In those patients treated for three weeks, endurance increased 60%, sleep quality improved 92%, and energy levels increased 76%. This product will be available only by prescription, and may likely replace all other forms of growth hormone replacement.
The ideal HGH replacement would be a small, safe, inexpensive pill or cream, an antiaging aspirin that would stimulate our own pituitary to act as if it was 20 years old again. As you can imagine, many major pharmaceutical corporations and researchers today are joining Ponce de Leon’s search for the silver bullet to prevent aging and death. As we learn more about the genetic and cellular intimacies of our lives, undoubtedly HGH will be seen as only the first step in this eternal quest of mankind.
Dr. Richard W Maloney is a board certified surgeon specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and neck.