Not in fat, but in muscles: we increase somatotropin in natural ways

Somatotropin controls tissue growth and cell regeneration, and helps maintain the health of internal organs. Human growth hormone is naturally produced by the pituitary gland throughout the day: at night (during sleep), its level reaches its peak values. During adolescence, somatotropin is produced in large quantities to ensure proper puberty, and with age, the amount of growth hormone synthesized decreases.

Growth hormone is well known to bodybuilders who want to increase muscle mass, improve athletic performance and reduce recovery time. Presumably, growth hormone has a rejuvenating effect.

How does the hormone somatotropin work and what does it affect in the body?

Somatotropin (aka human growth hormone) – It is a peptide hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland. The secretion of this hormone is regulated by the hypothalamus in accordance with the circadian rhythm (most of the growth hormone is produced during sleep). The hypothalamus regulates growth hormone secretion through somatotropin-releasing hormone (stimulation) and somatostatin (suppression).

The maximum amount of somatotropin is produced during sleep.

Somatotropin, produced in the body, acts by binding to certain receptors located in target tissues, including muscle and connective tissue. Growth hormone also works indirectly, causing liver cells to produce polypeptide molecules called somatomedins.

To date, the action of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) has been best studied. IGF-1 and growth hormone perform important functions in almost any system of the body – from the growth and repair of muscle, connective and bone tissue to the selective regulation of various aspects of metabolism, the maintenance of normal brain function and heart health.

With age (starting from about 20-25 years), somatotropin is secreted less and less, respectively, the level of IGF-1 also decreases. A decrease in the secretory activity of growth hormone and IGF-1 is called somatopause (observed from about 30 years old). This period is characterized by a number of unwanted manifestations of the signs of aging, including:

• disturbed sleep patterns;
• bone fragility;
• accumulation of fat in the middle part of the body (i.e. in the abdomen);
• decrease in muscle mass, strength and endurance.

Is it possible to increase the level of growth hormone in a natural way

The expediency of injections of growth hormone can be discussed only in case of a significant deficiency of somatotropin in children and adults, which negatively affects their health. Injections for medicinal purposes are prescribed by a doctor.

However, injections of growth hormone – a rather dubious method of gaining muscle mass or losing weight due to possible side effects:

• Head and muscle pain;
• increased blood pressure;
• swelling of limbs;
• tunnel syndrome;
• diabetes;
• abnormal growth of internal organs and bone tissue;
• hardening of the arteries.

Synthetic growth hormone is associated with many risks that do not justify its benefits.

Natural Ways to Increase Growth Hormone Levels:

1. High Intensity Interval Training. Perhaps this is the best way to stimulate the secretion of growth hormone. 30 seconds of intense exercise leads to muscle damage, for which the pituitary gland begins to produce growth hormone to repair.
2. Proper nutrition. Perhaps there is not a single aspect of human health that does not require a balanced diet: the exclusion of processed foods, the predominant consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, protein foods, and minimizing the intake of sweets, flour products, and alcoholic beverages. The higher the level of insulin, the lower the level of somatotropin. Therefore, it is better to eat foods with a low glycemic index, especially before bedtime.
3. Intermittent fasting. This practice helps not only to increase the level of growth hormone, but also to optimize the sensitivity to insulin and leptin, which will have a beneficial effect on the condition of the whole body and your well-being.
4. Healthy sleep. In conditions of lack of sleep, a full recovery of the body is impossible, including due to the maximum production of growth hormone during sleep.

Based on the above, we can conclude that the best way to increase the production of somatotropin is to correct lifestyle and diet. And self-administration of synthetic growth hormone, according to the editors of estet-portal.com, can cause significant harm to your health.