Find out what is HGH, how do HGH supplements work, and whether or not it is right for you
The fountain of youth: Have we finally found it? Maybe, and it's called human growth hormone (HGH). Hailed as the latest and greatest weapon in the arsenal of Hollywood's elite (a report from Vanity Fair last February found that use of human growth hormone injections is widespread within the industry), the theory is that increased levels of HGH can turn back time and promise a better sex drive, fitter body, improved mood, radiant skin, and tons of energy. So how does it work? Read on to find out.
What is HGH?
HGH is produced by the pituitary gland, and it is the hormone responsible for regulating, well, growth! In addition, it regulates body temperature, sugar and fat metabolism, and possibly heart function, according to WebMD. HGH also works in conjunction with collagen to maintain your skin and muscle composition, and since your production of HGH and collagen slow down as you age, your skin becomes looser and thinner. That's where HGH supplements and injections come in: By boosting your sagging HGH levels, you'll feel as though you're in your 20s again—even as you approach middle age.
How do HGH supplements work?
Although proponents of HGH swear by its rejuvenating effects, the hormone hasn't been studied that much, especially in supplement form (most studies have focused on HGH injections). Doctors have been using it for years in children who suffer from abnormal growth problems, and it is sometimes used to regulate blood sugar in diabetics, but even as the use of HGH injections and supplements rises among athletes and celebrities, its legal status remains somewhat ambigous to most people. In fact, HGH supplements and injections are only legal when prescribed by a doctor, and it's illegal to distribute HGH for any reasons other than medical use, though you can purchase supplements, as most use a synthetic version of the hormone.
Among the other reported benefits of HGH is weight loss. Although the results of a 1990 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggested that synthetic injections of HGH led to muscle gain and fat loss, the study was eventually denounced, as most follow-up studies have failed to show the same results.
But there is some promising news: The results of a 2012 double-blind study conducted on a supplement called Sero-Vital-hgh and featured on the Dr. Oz show suggest that a certain combination of amino acids could actually stimulate the body's natural production of HGH, which could provide a safer, more gentle alternative to injecting HGH directly into the body. Both male and female patients given a special blend of amino acids saw a mean increase of more than six times the levels of HGH they started with at the beginning of the study. The patients also experienced faster metabolism and increased endurance.
The anecdotal evidence also seems promising. Dennis Pelino, a 60-year-old Beverly Hills entrepreneur, told CNN that five years ago, he was having trouble keeping up with the younger people he was doing business with, so he started treatments, which included HGH injections.
"My skin tone got a lot better. I just felt better," he says. "My eyes got a lot brighter. My hearing, I swear, got better." Pelino says HGH injections, along with a healthy diet, exercise, and supplements has made him feel 10 years younger.
"I can keep up with people who are a lot younger than me," he says. "I am not trying to set records, I am just trying to stay in the game, I am doing business here."
Is it right for you?
If you feel like you could use more energy or an improved mood or immune system, a legal and safe way to boost your body's natural production of HGH would be with a 30-day supplement, like (pictured below). Unlike HGH injections or most supplements, SeroVital doesn't introduce it to your body from an outside source, so your body doesn't become dependent on it. You can find it at Sephora and Ulta stores across the country, as well as order directly from the company, so keep an eye out, and get ready to start your new year feeling better than ever.