In recent years, human growth hormone (HGH) use has become a vigorously debated topic among the medical community. Many researchers have championed HGH for its several anti-aging properties and ability to stimulate muscle growth in aging adults, while others contend that using HGH as a medical treatment does not affect age-related medical conditions.
One of the most contested aspects of this debate is HGH’s effect on weight loss. Most believe that HGH can help decrease fat cell storage and reduce body fat, yet many still contest the hormone’s effectiveness in promoting weight loss. However, before making a convincing argument in either case, it’s imperative to understand all the facts. In this article, we will discuss how growth hormone treatment affects the adult body and how its properties can help men eliminate unwanted weight gain.
The Role of Human Growth Hormones in the Adult Body
Growth hormone, also known as human growth hormone, is a special type of hormone produced by the pituitary gland that regulates fat, muscle, and tissue development in the human body. In addition, HGH also controls specific metabolic processes, such as insulin and glucose levels, to help maintain a healthy metabolism and average body fat percentage.
Human growth hormone is also essential for stimulating growth and healthy bone development in children as they transition through puberty and grow into adults. Once we reach adulthood, GH will continue to maintain the body’s composition and structure by increasing insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and managing blood sugar levels to regulate metabolism.
However, as we continue to age, our HGH levels gradually decrease, making it more difficult for the body to maintain several bodily functions, including metabolism. As a result, low HGH levels can cause the body to exhibit several detrimental symptoms, such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, depression, and increased belly fat. Along with the added weight gain, growth hormone deficiency or GHD can also severely weaken your muscles and bones, making it more challenging to remain physically active. Without regular exercise, that hormone-related weight gain can eventually lead to obesity, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Of course, restoring your HGH levels would be the best way to treat your growth hormone deficiency, but to increase your HGH effectively, you will eventually need medical treatment.
Treating GHD And The Benefits Of Using Growth Hormone For Weight Loss
After several studies, HGH has shown great promise in restoring metabolism and reducing weight gain while developing lean muscle mass. For example, researchers have observed that men who used HGH for their growth hormone deficiency experienced a remarkable decrease in their body fat and attained increased bone density and muscle growth, allowing them to exercise more rigorously for extended periods of time. Of course, as a result, men undergoing HGH treatment could work out more and lose weight much faster, making it easier to build upon their muscle development.
Naturally, these findings have led many consumer companies to offer various HGH products as a convenient option for men hoping to avoid a doctor’s visit by self-medicating. However, men with GHD must be careful about how they obtain HGH for medical treatment. Hundreds of manufacturers distribute growth hormone supplements that you can buy online or over the counter, claiming that their products contain HGH and other ingredients that can boost your hormone levels. Unfortunately, these HGH pills and powders rarely contain natural HGH and are more likely to carry unknown chemicals that can harm your health. The only way to receive effective HGH treatment is through growth hormone injections prescribed by an endocrinologist or licensed hormone specialist.
Despite its benefits, some still wonder if HGH is truly effective as a weight loss treatment. Yet, many physicians agree that there are several health benefits to using growth hormones for weight loss, depending on how it is utilized. So far, researchers have concluded that the most effective way for men to reap the benefits of growth hormone treatment is through HGH injections.
How HGH Injections Work for Weight Loss
HGH works to burn fat by stimulating lipolysis, a metabolic process in which stored fat cells get broken down into fatty acids. During lipolysis, those fatty acids typically get burned off when your body needs energy, allowing you to decrease your body fat. However, any fatty acids that remain unused will eventually return to your body’s fat storage, which can also increase your body fat.
Two types of lipases are responsible for how fatty acids are broken down and stored: hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL). Hormone-sensitive lipase’s primary function is to break down fats, while lipoprotein lipase helps your body’s muscle and fat cells absorb fatty acids.
Using growth hormones can stimulate HSL to help your body mobilize fat from the adipose tissue and block LPL to prevent fatty acids from entering your muscle and fat cells. As a result, men who use HGH injections for GHD can reduce accumulated fat around the abdomen and internal organs, thus, helping to decrease their overall body fat.
The best way to administer HGH for weight loss is through subcutaneous HGH injections. These injections work best when applied to areas under the skin’s fatty tissue, such as the stomach, thigh, or deltoid. By administering a regular dose several times a week or once every day, growth hormone injections can restore low HGH levels to healthy standards and improve various aspects of physical health, such as:
- Leaner muscle mass
- Increased endurance
- Enhanced strength
- Improved energy
- Decreased body fat
Naturally, these physical improvements can make exercising regularly a lot easier, which can also help increase the chances of attaining a healthier body composition.
Can HGH Help To Decrease Fat Mass and Increase Muscle Mass?
As we have previously discussed, HGH can help to reduce unwanted body weight by stimulating HSL into breaking down fats and blocking LPL to prevent fatty acids from being absorbed into your muscle tissue. While this occurs, HGH increases amino acid absorption in certain tissues and releases insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) to strengthen muscles and increase protein demand. This helps to optimize protein synthesis, the process in which the body turns protein into lean muscle, and further aid in building muscle growth and development. In doing so, HGH can help increase muscle mass as it works to decrease fat mass.
How Long Does HGH Weight Loss Take?
Because every man who takes HGH for weight loss has a unique physiology and body type, the timeframe needed to achieve their desired weight loss goals may vary depending on their body’s response to HGH treatment. Typically, most patients notice a change after two or three months of therapy, healthy dieting, and regular exercise.
Is HGH Safe for Weight Loss?
Although synthetic HGH is not explicitly prescribed as a weight loss medication, it is FDA approved and considered safe to use to treat weight gain related to growth hormone deficiency. Of course, like most prescription medications, using HGH can cause several side effects, especially in older adults. Possible side effects of HGH include:
- Low blood sugar
- High cholesterol levels
- Fluid retention in the arms and legs
- Numb and tingling skin
Growth hormones can also increase insulin resistance, so Type 2 diabetics with a growth hormone deficiency should consult their doctor before using HGH injections to treat their GHD. In addition, healthy patients with normal growth hormone levels should not use HGH as a weight loss treatment unless prescribed by their physician.
At Renew Vitality, we specialize in hormone replacement therapy to help men treat hormonal weight gain related to growth hormone deficiency. Our amazing staff of physicians combines safe and effective hormone medications with manageable wellness plans to create a comprehensive hormone replacement therapy that can help you replenish your HGH levels and achieve healthy weight loss. If you believe you may be experiencing sudden weight gain due to GHD, please contact us at 1-800-785-3945 and schedule an appointment at any of our hormone replacement clinics in the United States to find out about our possible treatment options.
FAQ
How much HGH do you inject for weight loss?
Depending on your physiology and medical history, your physician will determine the best dosage to help you achieve your weight loss goals.
Where do you inject HGH for fat loss?
Fatty areas of the body, such as the stomach, deltoid, or thigh, are usually the best places to inject HGH subcutaneously.
Do doctors prescribe HGH for weight loss?
A physician will only prescribe HGH treatment for weight loss once they determine that your weight gain is a result of growth hormone deficiency.
Does HGH come in pill form?
Currently, HGH is unavailable in pill or tablet form.