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Nutrients in the News, hGH August 1999--Ernest P.
Hawkins, M.S., R.Ph. Human growth hormone (hGH) production is controlled by a complex interplay of hypothalmic stimulatory and inhibitory peptides, neurotransmitters, growth factors (GF), sex steroids, and nutritional conditions. The most important regulators of HGH are the hypothalamic factors-growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF), which is stimulatory; and somatostatin, which is inhibitory. HGH increases the production of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1, also known as somatomedin C), which in turn inhibits hGH production, thus balancing its effects.1 Dramatic Decline Production of HGH dramatically declines with age, and it is virtually nonexistent at age 80. It also stimulates increased lean body mass, a potentially life-extending function.2 Lean body mass has positive effects on bone and organ density as well as proper organ function and restoration of shrinking cells and body fluid balance. When it decreases in adults, muscle weakness, organ failure, and possibly death may follow. Signs of aging-such as skin wrinkling, osteoporosis, and organ
dysfunction-are directly related to the amount of HGH available.3
HGH and IGF-1 actually help DNA repair itself prior to cell division, with HGH
initiating the transport of amino acids and nucleic acids into the cell and
cell membrane. Treating GH Deficiency Pharmaceutical use of recombinant human growth hormone (rHGH) is used routinely for treating the symptoms of GH deficit in adults, even including dwarfism. As the oral form of rHGH is not very absorbable, injectable rHGH is used clinically in GH deficient individuals to decrease serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, 4 increase bone density, positively affect body composition (decreasing bone mass while increasing lean body mass),6 and improve exercise capacity and cardiac function.5 On the down side, the large doses of rHGH used in the clinical setting can produce a number of unwanted side effects-including fluid retention, mild arthralgis, and hypertension.7 Using HGH as a dietary supplement is illegal, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does recognize the use of homeopathic agents as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Because they must follow strict FDA guidelines in their manufacturing processes, they offer safety and freedom from side effects, making homeopathic rHGH a highly beneficial and less invasive method of delivering HGH. Steven Novil, Ph.D., director of the American Longevity Research Institute in Chicago, Illinois, recently headed a double-blind controlled research study of Regenesis' Regenesis Pro™ HGH product at the Waveland Wellness Center in Chicago. The results of this study show test patients had significant gains. Test patients showed an increase of 40% in IGF-1 levels compared to a 13% increase in placebo patients; a 31.5% increase in DHEA compared to a 28% decrease in placebo patients; and an 18.5% elevation of testosterone levels.8 Homeopathic Use of rHGH A novel and proprietary homeopathic preparation of rHGH has been developed by Biomed Comm,® Inc. in Seattle, Washington, under the direction of Barbara Brewitt, Ph.D., a leader in the use of rHGH as a homeopathic dilution with proven clinical results. Homeopathic rHGH bypasses problems of absorption by being absorbed sublingually.9 It is also beneficial in managing fibromyalgia and hypopituitary disease, as well as an adjunct in treating hypertension, obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and other conditions. Other studies report that it has a host of other benefits-including increasing energy and muscle mass without exercise; decreasing body fat without dieting; and improving immune system function, sleep patterns, respiratory function, and vision.9 Ernest P. Hawkins, M.S., R.Ph., works in pharmacy as well as the biotechnological research and herbal industries. Selected References |
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