 |
|
Library >
Somatopause - Growth Hormone Deficiency
In this article:
- Increase your energy and zest for life
- Decrease your body fat
- Increase your lean muscle mass and keep your bones strong
Somatopause is a deficiency or lack of human growth hormone (termed hGH or rGH). In the past, hGH was believed to be useful only for the promotion of growth in children whose growth had been stunted by a lack of the hormone secondary to an inactive pituitary, by destruction of the pituitary by surgery or by radiation to remove a tumor of the pituitary gland. Much later, it was recognized that adult hGH deficiency was a problem. Adults who are deficient in hGH are at risk to develop premature cardiovascular disease, reduced bone density, central obesity, decreased muscle mass, depressed mood, elevated levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, slower wound healing, fatigue, poor exercise tolerance, and poor immune function. It wasn't until 1990, however, that the benefits of human growth hormone in the treatment of "normal" aging were recognized.
Somatopause signifies the gradual decline in growth hormone production by the adult pituitary gland in both men and women that begins at approximately age 30 and continues at a steady rate throughout life. This decline in hGH level which occurs with Somatopause is accompanied by deterioration in the structural and functional capacity of our bodies, which is ultimately devastating to the human condition. In fact, there is absolutely no difference between the clinical signs and symptoms of aging and those of adult hGH deficiency described above. The initial studies by Dr. Rudman in the "New England Journal of Medicine" in 1990, showed that, by putting healthy aging men on hGH for six months, he was able to decrease their body fat by 14.4%, increase muscle mass by 8.8%, increase skin thickness by 7.1%, and increase lumbar bone density by 1.6%. There is an enhanced feeling of well-being, and a decrease in the waist-to-hip ratio. Growth hormone participates in many of the chemical reactions throughout the body and brain and is a master facilitator, and a deficiency causes far-reaching harmful effects.
|
|
|
Age Management Topics
|
|
About the Institute
