How it is produced, how it works and how to increase its secretion naturally
GH or somatotropic hormone is a protein (a linear peptide composed of 191 amino acids) produced by the somatotropic cells of the anterior pituitary. It has pulsatile secretion with more frequent and wider peaks in the first hours of sleep.
GH secretion controls the production of somatomedins (IGF-1) by peripheral tissues, especially in the liver.
Functions
Actions of GH, Growth Hormone
Collaborates with thyroid hormones, steroid sex hormones and IGF-1 in the process of development and growth of the skeletal system
It guarantees muscle and bone trophism in adults
GH promotes fat mobilization, stimulates lipolysis.
It increases the oxidation of fatty acids, promoting weight loss and the synthesis of ketone bodies in the tissues
Chronic administration of GH has hyperglycemic effects with reduced glucose utilization, reduced glycogenosynthesis and insulin resistance
GH promotes the absorption of water in the intestine and the retention of sodium in the kidney, with consequent accumulation of extracellular fluids and an increase in blood pressure.
Daily variation of plasma GH levels. Note the peak reached around 10pm
Physical Exercise and GH
Sporting activity represents a strong stimulus for the secretion of growth hormone. During long-lasting exercises, the secretory peak is observed between the 25th and the 60th minute, while in the case of anaerobic efforts this peak is recorded between the end of the 5th and the 15th minute of recovery.
With the same physical effort, GH secretion is greater:
- in women than in men
- in the young compared to the elderly
- in sedentary versus trained ones
GH secretion during exercise is influenced by several factors:
Importance of the intensity of effort
A significant GH response to physical exercise is already observed for low intensity exercises (50% of VO2max) and becomes maximum around the anaerobic threshold (70% of VO2max). A further increase in intensity does not cause any significant increase in the secretory peak .
The greatest response of GH to physical effort is observed during exercises with great demand on anaerobic glycolysis and with massive production of lactate (eg body building).
GH secretion is inversely proportional to the recovery period and directly proportional to the duration of the exercise.
THE SECRETION OF GH DEPENDS ON THE "ACCUMULATION OF LACTIC ACID,
the more lactate is produced, the more GH will be produced.
Work out
The GH response to exercise is inversely related to the degree of training.
With the same exercise intensity, a trained subject produces much less GH than a deconditioned subject, since the lactocidemia (amount of lactate in the circulation) is lower.
Nutrition and GH
- Hypoglycaemia is a powerful stimulus to GH secretion
- HYPERGLYCEMIA, on the other hand, tends to inhibit its secretion
- THE ADMINISTRATION OF GLUCOSE HAS AN EARLY INHIBITORY AND A LATE STIMULATORY EFFECT
- A PROTEIN MEAL OR THE ADMINISTRATION OF PHARMACOLOGICAL DOSES * OF ARGININE (OR OTHER AMINO ACIDS) STIMULATES THE RELEASE OF GH.
- EXERCISE CARRIED OUT SHORTLY AFTER THE END OF A MEAL (HYPERGLYCEMIA) REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF GH PRODUCED.
* an intravenous infusion of 15-30 g of arginine increases the plasma GH level by 4-6 times; to obtain the same result with oral administration the dosages must be very high (250mg / kg / day)
Doping
Gigantism: Robert Wadlow, 2 meters and 72 cm, next to his father, shows us the effects of a hyper-secretion of GH during development.
BECAUSE "ATHLETES USE IT
GH has an immediate effect on water retention with a consequent sensation of increased muscle mass.
The growth hormone also has a lipolytic effect: the subcutaneous fat decreases rather quickly and the muscles seem more defined and increased in volume.
WHY "ATHLETES SHOULD NOT USE IT
Absence of anabolic effects on muscle in the healthy subject, even at high doses.
Excessive side effects and well-documented health risks:
- RISK OF NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES (Creutzfeld-Jackob disease or "mad cow") in case of GH extractive from cadaver
- GH EXCESS MYOPATHY with atrophy of muscle fibers, the muscles thus develop less strength than expected based on their weight
- HIGH CARDIOVASCULAR RISK
- DIABETES
- DYSLIPIDEMIA
- OSTEOARTHRITIS
- NEOPLASIA
"Deaths in American wrestling (at least 65 from 97 to date) from heart disease: mortality 7 times higher than that of the general population of the USA and 12 times higher for the" age group 25-40 years ".
Some medicines containing GH present in Italy:
- Genotropin
- Omnitrope
- Norditropin Simplexx
- Nutropinaq
- Saizen
- Zomacton
Other articles on "GH - Growth Hormone"
- GH growth hormone
- Stimulate the synthesis of growth hormone
- GH hormone and doping
- GH and doping: acromegaly and health dangers
