Articles
Growth Hormone and Weight Loss
Growth hormone (also known as Somatotropin) is a hormone synthesized and secreted by cells in the anterior pituitary. It is a major participant in the control of growth, as well as protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism. In general, Growth Hormone stimulates protein synthesis, enhances the utilization of fat, and helps to maintain normal blood glucose levels. Deep sleep, exercise, stress and low blood glucose are factors that increase Growth Hormone secretion. Elevated blood amino acids and low blood fatty acids inhibit Growth Hormone secretion.
Consequences of Growth Hormone deficiency in adults include increased body fat, particularly central adiposity, decreased muscle mass, decreased bone density, increased LDL (bad) cholesterol, decreased HDL (good) cholesterol, and decreased insulin sensitivity. Growth Hormone deficiency occurs as a consequence of a structural pituitary disease or peripituitary lesion, e.g. pituitary adenoma, or as a result of treatment, e.g. cranial irradiation, surgery. However, Growth Hormone secretion appears to naturally decrease in all people by the age of 21. This is especially true in obese people.
A Melbourne-based pharmaceutical company has developed a weight loss drug based on part of the human growth hormone molecule. Although the drug is still being trialled, researchers say that preliminary results are encouraging. Of course, the possibility of negative side effects, as well as the financial cost, are factors one must take into consideration before deciding whether to use a particular drug. As previously mentioned, deep sleep and exercise help to increase Growth Hormone secretion. Therefore, a healthy diet balanced with regular exercise and a good night’s sleep we believe is the superior alternative.
Added to site on : Thursday, 17 February 2005