Facts About HGH | Exercise.com Learn: Your Fitness Business Resource

Facts About HGH

Tyler Spraul is the director of UX and the head trainer for Exercise.com. He has his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine and is an NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist. He is a former All-American soccer player and still coaches soccer today. In his free time, he enjoys reading, learning, and living the dad life. He has been featured in Shape, Healthline, HuffPost, Women's...

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UPDATED: Aug 25, 2020

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  • HGH’s primary function is to control the normal growth processes that each person undergoes throughout his or her life.
  • Of all the various users of illegal HGH supplements, the three main sectors are bodybuilding, athletic performance of any other kind, and anti-aging.
  • The illegal (and legal) sale and usage of HGH is a two billion dollar business (annually)

Read the HGH facts below and view the detailed graphic representing an inside look into the Human Growth Hormone controversy:

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Human Growth Hormone Facts – Inside the HGH Controversy

Human Growth Hormone (or HGH, as it’s also known) is a naturally occurring substance in your body. As the name states, HGH’s primary function is to control the normal growth processes that each person undergoes throughout his or her life.

When you are young, levels increase naturally as you enter puberty and adulthood. Once your body is more or less finished growing, the levels steadily drop off. In fact, from age twenty to sixty your body’s natural HGH levels drop by about 80%. This drop is perfectly natural.

While there are things you can do to keep your HGH levels high naturally (certain types of workout plans and exercises done consistently and in the right manner have been shown to raise HGH levels), some people have turned to artificial infusions of HGH for athletic or anti-aging purposes.

To enhance your athletic performance naturally, consider following a tailored workout plan. By signing up for Exercise.com’s PRO membership, you will have access to mass-gaining workout plans, certified personal trainers, training logs, and more. Go PRO today!

Illegal Uses of HGH

Of all the various users of illegal HGH supplements, the three main sectors are bodybuilding, athletic performance of any other kind, and anti-aging. Bodybuilders rely on HGH to help them boost the size and definition of their muscles.

High levels of HGH have also been shown to lower levels of body fat, which is also important to bodybuilders who wish to succeed. HGH combined with other types of powerful steroids can have a powerful synergistic effect on an athlete’s body. Combined with specialized exercises, these drugs can help an athlete get an edge that nature never intended them to have.

Last up, the increased HGH levels keep you looking and feeling young. That’s because you’re fooling your body into thinking that it’s still (biochemically) a younger person.

Athletes & HGH Use

Numerous athletes have been caught using HGH and other steroids in recent years. In the US, high publicity Congressional hearings have brought to light the past drug abuse histories of numerous successful baseball players and may extend into other sports in the near future.

San Francisco Giants outfielder Jose Guillen was suspended for 10 to 15 days when it was discovered that he had been illegally using HGH. In the period between 2002 and 2005, he is reported to have purchased almost $20,000-worth of HGH and other steroids.

Across the pond in the UK, Rugby player Terry Newtown was caught using HGH in 2009 and faced a two-year suspension as a result. If you’ve ever seen a rugby game, you’ll understand why he might have felt like he needed an edge over the competition.

Major league sports aren’t the only place that HGH and steroids show up. The 2010 Winter Olympics saw 30 athletes disqualified because they used HGH. The Olympics is supposed to represent the pinnacle of fair competition between countries who all mutually respect one another. Excluding athletes who use drugs is a natural precaution.

Big Business

The illegal (and legal) sale and usage of HGH is a two billion dollar business (annually). In addition to how expensive the drug is to procure and transport, testing is expensive because the drug is virtually impossible to detect without a blood test. Standard drug tests are usually done using a urine sample, but HGH makes more expensive testing required. The substance is universally banned in Major League Baseball, the NCAA (see a full list of NCAA banned drugs), and IOC.

Legal Uses of HGH

Despite all of the scrutiny that illegal users of HGH are subjected to, there are some valid reasons why someone might be allowed to have some.

In children, HGH can be used to counter poor growth due to Turner’s Syndrome, Prader-Willi Syndrome, and Chronic Renal Insufficiency. Adults with HIV/AIDS or a naturally-occurring HGH deficiency may also be prescribed HGH. Depending on the form (pill, topical ointment, injection), the administration may be done in the doctor’s office.

The course of HGH therapy could be temporary (until the situation is resolved), or indefinite. Either way, doctors and specialists will observe the patient and make sure that the HGH is having the desired effect, instead of just letting them do whatever they want, which is what illegal users do.

Forms of HGH

HGH is available in a variety of forms and strengths. All other elements considered equally, their costs are about:

  • $100 for the oral spray
  • $20 for the nasal spray
  • $40 for pills
  • $70 for a topical cream
  • $100 for a shot

Studies of HGH Usage

Believe it or not, the effects of HGH have actually been professionally evaluated by doctors. Using a crop of athletes (63 men, 33 women), the study found the following:

  • Significantly reduced body fat mass
  • Increased lean body mass
  • Increased sprint capacity (+.71 KJ in both men and women)
  • Sprint time improved by 10%

Studies involving children showed that HGH use can increase a child’s height by between 1.5 and 3 inches.

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HGH Side Effects

Like any other drug, there are always side effects. Human Growth Hormone side effects can vary from mild to severe. HGH can result in the following undesirable side effects:

  • Fluid Retention
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Hypertension
  • Abnormal Bone Growth (in hands and feet)
  • Diabetes
  • Edema
  • Increased Blood Pressure

Additional HGH Benefits

  • Promotes Hair Growth
  • Accelerates Healing
  • Increases Lean Muscle
  • Accelerates Metabolism
  • Improves Bone Density
  • Slows Aging Process

Before You Buy Human Growth Hormone Supplements

If you are looking to buy HGH supplements then be sure that you very carefully weigh the potential HGH side effects, investigate the legality of your decision, and talk the choices over in detail with your physician.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I take HGH if I am not an athlete and just want to increase muscle mass?

It is not recommended, but you can still take HGH in supplement form. Ask your doctor before beginning any supplement routine.

Where do you get HGH?

You can only legally get HGH with a prescription from your doctor but there are HGH supplements on the market.

Are some anabolic steroids legal?

No. In the United States, all forms of anabolic steroids are illegal unless prescribed by a physician.

If you are looking for an all-natural way to increase HGH levels in your body then why not get started becoming more active with one of our workout plans? Go PRO today for access to workout plans, certified personal trainers, training logs, and more.

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