4 Questions About human growth hormone and anti-aging medicine

If you read our previous post about our new product, Secretropin, you may be wondering what exactly human growth hormone (HGH) does in the body. Even though it sounds similar to human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), it is actually very different. Both are used for growth and development, but HCG is produced by the placenta during pregnancy to aid in growth of the fetus, while HGH is produced by the pituitary gland throughout life and has a wide range of metabolic and growth effects on the body. As we age, the production of HGH goes down, which contributes to many of the detrimental side effects of aging, including memory loss, poor sleep and insomnia, looser skin, hair loss, fatigue, and lack of muscle tone. HCG gets a lot of hype in the diet and weight loss industry, and in the past, HGH has been pretty well known in professional athletics for its physical performance enhancing abilities. However, HGH is responsible for so much more than just its ability to enhance performance. It is a natural testosterone booster, which can be used to increase vitality, improve sleep, stimulate hair growth, increase muscle tone and so much more. It is often used to treat both children and adults with signs of HGH deficiency, but more recently, has gotten popular for it's powerful anti-aging effects. Read below to learn more about this all-encompassing hormone. 

1. What are the anti-aging effects of HGH and how does it work?
HGH is responsible for many different metabolic and growth processes in the body. It keeps skin smooth and youthful, reduces hair loss, increases muscle tone and strength, builds stronger bones, reduces your risk of heart disease and it improves sleep, memory and cognitive function. HGH is a hormone which is closely linked to other metabolic hormones such as estrogen and testosterone, so any disruption to these hormones can lead to decreased production of HGH. The peak of HGH production is at night, between the hours of 8pm and 4am, and it is known to increase melatonin production during this time, which is why it promotes deeper sleep. Sounds great right?! So if HGH is produced naturally by the body and production continues throughout life, why do so many millions of people suffer from these ailments? Well, unfortunately, there is no easy answer, but there are many physical, emotional and environmental factors that play a role in decreasing the natural production of HGH over time. HGH naturally decreases as we age, but hormone imbalances in testosterone and estrogen levels, a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, lack of green vegetables and fresh fruit, obesity, nutrient deficiency, fatty liver or liver degeneration and depression are some of the factors which can decrease HGH and if not corrected, eventually lead to true HGH deficiency.

2. How do I know if I am deficient in HGH?
There are certain symptoms that are specific to true HGH deficiency in both children and adults. See below for more information. 
In Children:

• less than 2 in of growth per year and being significantly shorter than other children of the same age
• delayed puberty
• slow teeth development 
• increased fat around stomach and face
• underdeveloped bridge of nose
• prominent forehead
• slow hair growth

In Adults:

• depression/anxiety
• hair loss
• lack of interest in sexual activity
• decreased muscle strength and mass
• memory loss
• loose, dry skin
• fatigue
• increased belly fat
• those at risk for heart disease, with elevated triglyceride and LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels
• insulin resistance

There are natural ways to increase your HGH, which include being more active, specifically engaging in a high interval intensity training (HIIT) workout, which has been proven to be the best exercise for increasing HGH levels. Supplementation of l-arginine, l-glutamine and vitamin C have shown to have a great effect on HGH levels and laughter has proven to also increase HGH levels by as much as 30%! Secretropin is a combination of amino acids, including l-arginine and l-glutamine, which has been proven to increase HGH naturally, thereby eliminating many of the negative side effects that occur with HGH injections. 

3. Can HGH be used to for weight loss?
Yes! Even though HGH isn't as effective as HCG, it does promote weight loss, primarily by inducing better sleep (which in turn speeds up metabolism), increasing muscle mass, and reducing belly fat. It also does not require you to adhere to a strict diet, so as long as you are eating a healthy and varied diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, you should start shedding some pounds. You won't lose weight quickly, but by improving your metabolism and overall well-being, the weight will naturally shed.

4. How does Secretropin differ from HGH injections?
HGH is notoriously difficult for providers to test, and levels can fluctuate for a variety of reasons. When patients receive injectable HGH, this eliminates their body's own production of HGH and therefore, they are relying on their physician to accurately administer a correct dose. Unfortunately, due to the many different variables affecting HGH levels as described above, it is difficult for physicians to prescribe an accurate dose for injections. This leads to many negative side effects, which are described below. 
Negative Side Effects of HGH Injections:

• enlargement of fingers and toes
• skeletal changes
• lengthening of the jaw
• growth of orbit
• internal organ enlargement (cardiomegaly is associated with HGH abuse)
• increased risk of carpel tunnel syndrome 
• fuller looking face
• thickening and coarsening of skin at high doses (known as "elephant epidermis")
• increased risk of hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia

For these reasons, Dr. Pacholec believes it is safer to naturally support the body's own production of HGH. Secretropin, is an all-natural supplement to boost the body's own production of HGH, thereby eliminating all of the negative side effects associated with injection of HGH. It is a daily supplement, administered before bed, which elevates HGH to levels that are acceptable for each unique person. It has been in use for over 20 years, and no adverse side effects have been reported.

Interested in learning more? Call Dr. Pacholec's St Petersburg, FL or Lutz, FL offices to set up your anti-aging consultation today!