Growth Hormones

Growth hormone is a naturally occurring substance in the human body that is secreted by the pituitary, the master gland of the body's endocrine system. Growth hormone stimulates bone growth, and induces immune-cell function and bacteria-fighting capacity. It stimulates amino acid uptake, protein synthesis, and muscle glucose uptake, as well as increases the mobilization of fat from adipose tissue. It also plays a key role in maintaining good cardiovascular health. Secretion of growth hormone is increased during exercise, extreme stress, trauma, and injury, as well as during certain phases of the menstrual cycle. Its release is reduced with the consumption of high-fat meals. 

Historically, growth hormone has been used to stimulate growth in growth-retarded children. Growth retardation can occur for a variety of reasons, including malnutrition, genetics, resistance to the precursors of growth hormone, or certain medical conditions such as chronic renal failure (CRF). CRF is often characterized by reduced growth hormone levels, or resistance to its metabolic products. Normal nutritional therapies usually fail to improve growth in these conditions; however, treatment with growth hormone results in resumption of normal growth and improved bone density.