Human Growth Hormone, vs. Steroids?

Human growth hormones being used by bodybuilders to increase muscle mass and strength are on the increase, yet little information is available as to the effects of synthetic growth hormones.

In the human body, growth hormone is produced in the pituitary gland and is produced naturally throughout our lives. During puberty and adolescence, growth hormone is at its peak prompting growth of all the major organs to adult size. Throughout our life and as we increase with age, the levels of growth hormone drop dramatically, yet still present in minute quantities.

During the 1980’s the first prepared drug containing HGH was in use. The hormone was extracted from the pituitary glands of human corpses and prepared as a medical injection.  This production method was, however, short lived as there was a link between this preparation and a rare and fatal type of brain disease.

Today, virtually all forms of HGH come synthetically manufactured. The structure of growth hormone is a sequence of 191 amino acids and intricate processes are able to synthetically produce the hormone in large quantities.

The benefits of HGH are well known and the ability to promote muscle gain is apparent making this an ideal drug for bodybuilders.

To start with, growth hormone stimulates growth in most body tissues, not by increasing cell size, but by increasing the number of cells. This includes all skeletal muscle tissue and all organs excluding the brain and eyes.

The transportation of amino acids and protein synthesis is increased also which aids in recovery times and endurance whilst training. All these process are mediated by IGF-1(insulin-like growth factor)which is produced in the liver and other tissues as a response to growth hormone.

The promotion of growth as a result of HGH seems to increase strength in connective tissues such as cartilage and tendons which reduces the likelihood of exercise related injury.

All these benefits are of great value to most athletes and so the popularity of HGH is increasing as a performance enhancing drug.

It must be noted that side effects can occur and may even be life threatening. The most predominate side effect would be acromegaly, or a thickening of bones, most notably the feet, hands jaw and elbows. Spade like hands can develop and look overgrown and disproportionate.

The main deterrent for the use of HGH is the cost. A typical course can cost in excess of £100 a week, which when compared to legal steroids like Pro Anabolic and anabolic steroids like Dianabol, is very dear.

This high price tag also provides very strong motivation for the creation of counterfeits.  A lot of underground HGH is actually re-labelled hCG, which bears a very close resemblance but without such a dramatic end result. So avoid steroids for sale over the internet as guarantees over quality are never certain.