«The growth hormone
THE ROLE OF DIET AND EXERCISE
Acute exercise increases GH secretion, the earlier the greater its intensity. The peak response of this hormone to physical exercise is observed between the 25th and 60th minutes during endurance activities (running , cycling, cross-country skiing, etc.) or between the end of the 5th and 15th minutes of the recovery period, for exercises lasting less than 20 minutes.
Exercise appears to increase GH secretion and its response to acute exercise, with increased IGF-1. * The increased growth hormone response is observed during high-intensity exercise, which stimulates anaerobic glycolysis resulting in hyperproduction of lactate.
GROWTH HORMONE
* The response of GH to physical exercise is however inversely proportional to the degree of training. In fact, the trained athlete has a higher threshold speed and, with the same intensity of exercise (eg running at 16 km / h) produces less lactate. since the lacticidemia is lower, the stimulus to the secretion of HGH will be proportionally lower than in the untrained subject.
** A protein meal or the administration of pharmacological doses of arginine (or other amino acids such as lysine and ornithine) stimulates the acute release of growth hormone. The scholars came to this conclusion by carrying out research on groups of elderly, deceased and in hospital patients, with problems related to poor nutrition or difficult absorption of nutrients. There is therefore no certainty that these results are also valid for trained subjects in good health.
GH and doping
The use of GH as a doping drug is based on the assumption that this hormone increases athletic performance in sports, especially in power sports. The administration of somatotropin significantly increases muscle mass while simultaneously stimulating the reduction of excess fat. At the same time growth hormone has a positive effect on connective tissue by improving the resistance of tendons, cartilages and ligaments. For this reason it is used to recover quickly from injuries or burns.
The promotion of growth, which occurs only in puberty, is undoubtedly an interesting aspect for those height-specific sports such as basketball or volleyball.
GH also influences sugar metabolism by increasing the secretion of glucagon, a pancreatic hormone responsible for mobilizing glucose from liver reserves. Glucagon decreases the utilization of carbohydrates, forcing cells to use mainly fatty acids to meet energy needs.
The lipolytic activity of growth hormone is well documented. The anabolic action, on the other hand, seems less certain, especially if its intake is not supported by physical activity and an adequate diet.
The use of this doping drug is reserved for high-level sportsmen. Considering its very high cost (at least 1000 euros per cycle) and the lack of certainty about its anabolic effects, it would certainly be more profitable and convenient for a beginner to use other drugs.
The growth hormone obtained through recombinant DNA technology (rhGH) is a substance similar to the endogenous one. For this reason it is very difficult, but not impossible, to expose its use by the athlete. Once the RHGH is injected. in fact, it has a rather short half-life and if the control is not carried out within a few days of the injection, it is practically impossible to identify the athletes who have used it. At present there are still no tests able to detect with absolute certainty the use of this substance.
In any case, even if the international anti-doping commissions increased controls, GH would be immediately replaced by "IGF-3, a hormone with similar activity, which has already been circulating in the world of high-level sport for some years.
Side effects
If someone portrays GH as the "Holy Grail" of the burgeoning anti-aging drug market, someone else points out its side effects, which become extremely dangerous when used in high doses. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the belief that this hormone is able to enhance muscle strength, with an effect similar to that of anabolic steroids, is scientifically unfounded and its use causes irreversible side effects, which seriously endanger the health of the " athlete.
GH is essential for sports performance. For this reason, both a deficit and an excess lead to REDUCED WORKING CAPACITY
SIDE EFFECTS OF SUPERPHYSIOLOGICAL DOSES OF GH
water retention with edema *
muscle and joint pain (jaw, rib), carpal tunnel syndrome
sweating
acromegaly
increased blood pressure, heart disease
headache, paraestersia, visual field disturbances
insulin resistance with impaired carbohydrate tolerance (diabetes)
increased cardiovascular risk (?)
increased risk of malignant neoplasms (?)
impotence, amenorrhea
an excess of growth hormone tends to increase the size of some organs such as the heart and kidney
* The immediate effect of GH on water retention, combined with its powerful lipolytic activity, gives the athlete the sensation of a rapid increase in muscle mass. However, muscles generate less than expected strength based on their weight
The risk of side effects decreases significantly if GH is taken in moderate doses under close medical supervision. Being a complex protein hormone, GH must be administered through subcutaneous or intramuscular injections. Any oral intake would lead to its digestion, completely canceling its effects.
Other articles on "Stimulating the synthesis of" growth hormone "
- GH growth hormone
- GH - Growth Hormone
- GH hormone and doping
- GH and doping: acromegaly and health dangers
