Endocrinologist with 23 years of experience explains what growth hormone is and why it is so important for health
A growth hormone (otherwise - somatotropin) - the most intriguing minds of scientists, clinicians, athletes and just dreamers. It really has a lot of magical properties, but it must be used very carefully, since the damage to your life can be colossal.
This hormone received its name for the fact that it promotes the growth, first of all, of tubular bones in children, adolescents and young people. This happens while the so-called growth zones are working on the bones. They usually close before the age of 25, but in some people it may be later.
What does growth hormone affect?
Growth hormone is very fond of athletes for its anabolic effect: it promotes muscle growth by increasing protein synthesis and at the same time suppressing its decay. Simultaneously he reduces the amount of fat mass.
It also promotes satiety by increasing blood glucose levels.
It is known to have a positive effect on bone tissue, which is strengthened by increasing the penetration of calcium into bone tissue.
How is growth hormone produced?
Like any hormone, growth hormone is produced not constantly, but impulsively. And the natural time for the synthesis of growth hormone is a night's sleep, about an hour or two after the onset of the deep sleep phase. Therefore, when children are told that they need to sleep in order to grow up, it is absolutely true.
Growth hormone also rises during sleep during the day, but in much smaller amounts.
Growth hormone levels drop with age, and this is one of the causes of senile sarcopenia (decrease in muscle mass), weakness, etc.
But inject yourself with this hormone, to lose weight, to rejuvenate is a very dangerous decision. Roughly speaking, it can wake up the wrong cells, which you wanted, and lead to the formation of tumors. In addition, there is research that injections of growth hormone in the elderly did not lead to muscle growth, but only began to retain water.
How to prolong "growth hormone time"
Create all conditions in your body so that growth hormone is produced as long as possible in a natural way.
I.e:
- Protect your night's sleep as much as possible, as it stimulates the production of this hormone
- Finally engage in physical education.
- Reduce the amount of simple carbohydrates in the diet, as high sugar levels do not promote the synthesis of growth hormones.
Actually, these three rules will help you cope with 2/3 of health problems.
Your Doctor Pavlova
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