Human Growth Hormone

[erpowers]

Are all forms of human growth hormones illegal steroids? Are human growth hormones considered steroids? I ask the previous questions in that today I picked up a fitness magazine and it contained an advertisment for a power form of human growth hormone. I have heard so much about HGH, but I still see advertisements for it and other supplements.

[aikoaiko]

1. Steroids are not necessarily illegal -- they just need to be prescribed by MD.

[TZ]

13. That means for general use they ARE illegal

Steroids I believe are considered controlled substances, like other drugs like oxycontin. I am really surprised to hear that HGH is being sold in stores. I thought that it was classified the same as other steroids as only by doctors prescription. As other people have posted, I would be willing to bet the stuff being sold in the store is probably NOT hgh. Remember, these kinds of supplements aren't regulated at all so there is no way to know what is really being put in them.

[aikoaiko]

14. Yes, steroids are controlled, but they can be prescribed for cosmetic purposes

Such as trying to look like Conan.

[Swede]

2. I think hgh comes from the pituitary gland,but it isn't a steroid.

Fools who take it,have stuff like their feet growing,or their jaws.

[Edweird]

3. HGH isn't steroids, but bodybuilders use it for the same effect.

HGH and steroids may be prescribed by a doctor, but anything from a muscle mag is going to be a ripoff.
You probably wouldn't want to take it even if it was legit. HGH can give you a cro-mag lookin' skull. Chicks definitely don't dig that.

[Edweird]

4. Best results = Lots of Protein, Amino Acids, and Creatine.

A realistic workout plan that you can maintain is also important. Keep your goals attainable otherwise it's too easy to get frustrated and quit due to unmet expectations.

[Kiouni]

6. What is your take on Creatine?

I recently started using it after reading several positive studies of its use. I haven't found anything that says if it safe to take for extended periods. It does seem to help after a month are so but boy do you have to pee a lot when your on this stuff!

[Edweird]

8. I've had good results with it. I recommend it.

It works best when you cycle it. Be sure to drink PLENTY of water; it can cause kidney damage if you get dehydrated.
I have had cramps with it, but not so bad that it isn't worth it.

[Kiouni]

5. Didn't Stallone just get busted for HGH

in Australia?

[wildbilln864]

7. yep!

He had to pay a fine. Maybe $10,000.00 IMSMR.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

9. Human Growth Hormone is naturally produced by the body

When you are young, your body produces large amounts of it in the pituitary gland, I believe. I believe that most of it is produced at night, during the sleep cycle. Injections into muscle tissue of a 15 year old of the common amino acid L-arginine can cause the body to produce greater amounts of growth hormone. In fact, I've read that it's a common medical test for growth hormone deficiency. Also, strenuous exercise can cause a release of growth hormone in the body, mainly in the young. The levels of natural production of HGH decrease as we age.

I think that the so-called "powdered form" of human growth hormone that one sees at fitness websites is considered a fraud. What they are selling is an amino-acid blend of such safe over-the-counter substances as the amino acid L-arginine that I mention above. These powders are technically not growth hormone at all but they are supposed to cause the body to trigger a release its own natural growth hormone in response. It might work somewhat in a teenager but I've read that it's not effective at all in adults. I think that human growth hormone cannot be taken orally through the stomach as it's a large molecule and it gets completely broken down in the stomach and intestine and can't get fully absorbed into the body. The synthetic human growth hormone that costs so much, that is available through doctor prescription, and that apparently works must be injected subcutaneously with a needle. It is a powder and you have to add water to it to make it effective, but you can't eat it. It's not the same thing as the amino acid based powders that you see advertised in fitness magazines. Those are supposedly a complete rip-off. But I don't think human growth hormone produces big muscles like steroids would. It just gives a person a feeling of healthy well-being, helps with weight loss, and helps the body to develop leaner muscle mass and stamina. That's what I've read. Of course, if injected in large amounts or without a doctor's supervision, there are supposedly some bad side effects.

[Edweird]

10. Human growth hormone actually makes you grow.

One of the obvious signs of HGH abuse is a "cro-mag" looking skull. There are some professional baseball players right now that look a little more like the middle of the evolutionary chart. It is used to augment muscle mass and bone structure. It is prescribed by doctors to treat some types of dwarfism(I think).

And yes, the powders and stuff sold in the muscle mags ARE a ripoff. It's the same stuff you can buy much cheaper just slicker packaging and endorsements. Thats why they take up 80% of the mag pages.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

11. You are correct - it does make children grow

Human growth hormone stimulates cell reproduction. But it's not just growth of the bones causing increasing height. It helps all body organs to grow. It should not be abused. Those adults who take growth hormone should have regular tests of their hgh levels. As people get old, the ideal is to try to preserve the level of maybe a 25 year old if possible. What you describe as a "cro-mag" look I think is rare. It's a form of induced acromegaly and pituitary gigantism, the opposite of dwarfism. I think the greater danger of Hgh abuse would be the risk of cancer, especially in those who already have cancers and don't know it or who have a family predisposition to cancer. I think abuse of Hgh can also cause fluid retention in the body and painful joints. Of course, the abuse of anything is dangerous. But there have been many studies of Hgh taken by aging adults in moderate amounts, sufficient to replace their previous natural levels of Hgh at younger periods in their lives. I think the most famous study was that of Dr. Daniel Rudman the results of which appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine. A group of men over 60 years of age was administered synthetic growth hormone in moderate amounts and the effects were very positive in reversing some age-related problems.

[Edweird]

12. The cro-mag look I am refering to is a result of abuse by adults.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17384233/
Barry Bonds cleat size has grown 2 1/2 sizes since he joined the team prior to the 1993 season, according to new material in the paperback edition of "Game of Shadows," to be released this week, Sports Illustrated said.

Authors Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada write about the massive growth in Bonds' jersey size (42 to 52), cleat size (10 1/2 to 13) and cap size (7 1/8 to 7 1/4) — even though he is shaving his head bald now.

"The changes in his foot and head size," says the book, "were of special interest: medical experts said overuse of human growth hormone could cause an adult's extremities to begin growing, aping the symptoms of the glandular disorder acromegaly."

My posts are from the perspective of a bodybuilder, not a physician.