Human growth hormone also known as somatotropin, is a protein that is naturally generated by the human body and acts as a chemical messenger. This hormone is responsible for a variety of vital functions in humans. Most vertebrates have a form of growth hormone, often abbreviated as GH, while the human version is often abbreviated as HGH for human growth hormone.

Somatotropin or HGH is quite large compared to most hormones, consisting of the full array of 191 amino acids. This hormone is produced by the somatotrope cells of the anterior pituitary gland, and its secretion into the blood is controlled by chemical signals from the nearby hypothalamus gland. Both the pituitary and hypothalamus glands are located in the middle of the brain.

Somatotropin is released into the blood stream in small amounts during sleep, and helps to control cellular repair, metabolism, muscle growth and the maintenance of normal brain function. It also helps to boost the immune system. Although the body ability to produce this growth hormone diminishes after ones adolescence it still plays an important role in one's health.

Although HGH is a very powerful protein, too much or too little of it can lead to a number of serious conditions. If a person is to be prescribed or take to much HGH this could result in a tumor in the pituitary gland, which can eventually lead to the condition known as acromegaly. Acromegaly symptoms include the thickening of digits, impinged nerves, blurred vision, and sometimes a form of diabetes. In this case one may opt to remove the tumor which can reverse the effect of acromegaly. However if the tumor occurred during childhood an abnormal amount of permanent growth may happen resulting in gigantism.

There is also a problem associated with too little HGH. A genetic mutation in the gene coding for the hormone, a problem with the chemical signal that controls HGH release, or any kind of structural malfunctions in the pituitary or hypothalamus glands can cause a lack of the hormone. If the hormone is deficient in childhood, a lack of overall growth will result, leading to a condition sometimes referred to as ?dwarfism?. If the deficiency begins during adulthood the symptoms often include fatigue, loss of muscle mass, and heart disease.

A synthetic form of the hormone and pre-curser forms are available today as a treatment for conditions resulting in a lack of the natural version. Many diseases are treated with grow hormone including AIDS patients to help them maintain weight in later stages of the disease. HGH is also used in the treatment of fibromyalgia, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease. A few other uses of the hormone include helping bodybuilders gain muscle, obese people lose weight, and elderly people reverse some of the effects of their age.

The purpose of this article is to inform you about the use of HGH and some of the synthetic and pre-cursors to HGH, which stimulate the pituitary gland to produce more HGH naturally. It is always best as with anything not to over due it, but to listen to the prescribed recommendations in using this product so that one can experience all the benefits of HGH and not the ill effects. As always pay attention to how your body feels and use HGH supplements to benefit your health and slow the aging process.

Copyright 2006 Douglas Alp