One to Grow On

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" HSI - Jenny Thompson " <HSIResearch

HSI e-Alert - One to Grow On

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 17:45:20 -0400

 

 

 

HSI e-Alert - One to Grow On

 

Health Sciences Institute e-Alert

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June 13, 2005

 

 

Dear Reader,

 

" Is HGH (human growth hormone) considered to be a steroid? Is there

any reason a 56-year-old woman should not take it? "

 

Here are two quick answers to those questions posed by A.B., an HSI

member:

 

1) No.

2) Yes.

 

Lawmakers in some states have grouped synthetic supplements of HGH

with steroids and given them the stigma of controlled substances. But

as the name implies, HGH is a hormone, which means any use of

synthetic HGH supplements should be embarked on with great care.

 

Fortunately, there are safe, natural ways to help keep your HGH level

from dropping off steeply after the age of 50.

 

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Bursting with energy

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First, some HGH basics.

 

You've probably seen young kids running around and thought, " Where do

they get all that energy? " Part of the answer is HGH.

 

An abundance of HGH is produced by the pituitary gland when we're very

young. This growth hormone plays a significant role in energy

production, muscle and tissue growth, brain function, bone strength,

metabolic development, intracellular communication and healing

capacity - obviously, a key factor in our physical and mental lives.

 

As we grow older the pituitary gland releases HGH into the blood

stream less efficiently. By the time we reach our late 50s, HGH levels

may be reduced as much as 75 percent. So with HGH diminishing yearly,

boosting levels with synthetic supplements might seem like an

attractive solution. But as we've seen before, when you start

tinkering with hormones the results can be mixed.

 

HGH is a complex hormone of 191 amino acids, so it can only be taken

by intravenous injection, administered by the prescribing doctor. And

it's not inexpensive. An annual supply of HGH supplements can run as

high as $20,000. Insurance plans won't cover this because it's not a

treatment for a disease.

 

In addition, no one has conducted any long-term studies of HGH side

effects. HGH supplementation stimulates the turnover of the body's

cells, so there's a concern that this process could disarm the

mechanism by which the body prevents the uncontrolled cell division

that allows tumors to form. Some studies have observed an increase in

cancerous tumor growth with the use of synthetic HGH.

 

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Another way to go

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When HGH is boosted with a synthetic replacement, the process bypasses

the function of the pituitary gland - sort of tricking the body. A

more natural alternative is available with the use of supplements that

stimulate the pituitary gland to do its stuff.

 

HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., explains: " The idea with the

pituitary stimulants is that it's safer to stimulate the body to

increase its own production than to supply the actual hormone from

outside the body, and I agree with this assessment. In the case of

outside (exogenous) intake of growth hormone, you run the risk (well

proven in past research) of what's called 'feedback inhibition,' where

the body will cut back on its own production since you're willing to

supply the body with the hormone from the outside without it having to

bother. With pituitary stimulants, the body's doing the producing, so

there's no feedback inhibition. "

 

In the October 1998 HSI Members Alert we first told you about a

formula of natural compounds (including specific amino acids,

proteins, and botanical extracts) designed to stimulate receptors in

the pituitary and hypothalamus glands that prompt the release of

available stores of HGH.

 

The formula, called Symbiotropin Pro-HGH, has since been shown to be

several times more effective than the far more expensive HGH

injections, but with zero feedback inhibition. And according to a

study (sent to me last year by HSI Medical Advisor Martin Milner,

N.D.), Pro-HGH was shown to significantly improve quality of life

scores in middle-aged subjects. Dr. Milner has posted more information

about Symbiotropin Pro-HGH for our members on his clinic's website at

cnm-inc.com.

 

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Eat well

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There's one other natural way to prompt the pituitary gland to

increase HGH production: Avoid the simple and refined carbohydrates

that boost insulin levels.

 

Foods like pasta, potatoes, and refined sweets register high on the

glycemic index because they cause a rapid increase in blood sugar,

which stimulates the production of insulin. When there's too much

insulin in your blood, your body reacts by producing a chemical called

somatostatin that suppresses insulin release. But it also suppresses

HGH release.

 

Foods rich in complex carbohydrates - and low on the glycemic index -

don't trigger blood sugar spikes. These foods include beans, legumes,

nuts, and whole grains. Nuts and seeds also contain an amino acid

combination favorable to the production of growth hormone.

 

Excess dietary fat may also block the production and release of HGH,

so limiting fat intake to 20-30 percent of your daily total calories

may help the cause. Additionally, many longevity experts advocate

reduced calorie intake and even occasional fasting as a good way to

stimulate HGH production. (Note that fasting is not suitable for

everyone, so always consult a physician or healthcare professional

before attempting a fast.) The highest levels of growth hormone are

released during sleep and during a fast that lasts for at least 24 hours.

 

 

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....and another thing

 

A little Tai Chi might lead to sweet dreams.

 

In the e-alert " Supremely Ultimate " (3/18/04), I told you about Tai

Chi; the ancient Chinese exercise system that consists of a specific

series of gentle physical movements.

 

Studies show that people who practice Tai Chi often experience health

benefits such as improvements in balance and strength, cardiovascular

and respiratory function, flexibility, reduction of arthritis

symptoms, immune system enhancement and positive psychological effects.

 

Now to that list we can add " improvements in sleep patterns, "

according to a study from the Oregon Research Institute.

 

The Oregon team recruited a group about 120 men and women, aged 60 to

92, who all reported having moderate sleep problems. The subjects were

divided into two groups to participate in exercise sessions of either

Tai Chi or low-impact exercise for six months. The exercise sessions

for each group lasted 60 minutes, three times each week. Subjects were

evaluated using two different sleep quality assessment techniques.

 

Both groups improved on cognitive thinking scores, underlining just

one of the many benefits of regular exercise. But the Tai Chi subjects

showed significant improvements in all of the sleep scores, compared

to few such improvements in the low-impact group.

 

Sleep quality, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, and sleep

disturbances were all improved on by the Tai Chi subjects. Their sleep

duration averaged nearly 50 minutes more each night, while the time it

took to fall asleep decreased by an average of almost 20 minutes,

compared to the low-impact subjects.

 

Researchers concluded that a low to moderate-intensity Tai Chi program

may be an effective way to avoid pharmaceutical sleep aids for elderly

people who have trouble getting a good night's rest.

 

To Your Good Health,

 

Jenny Thompson

Health Sciences Institute

 

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Sources:

 

" Tai Chi and Self-Rated Quality of Sleep and Daytime Sleepiness in

Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial " Journal of the American

Geriatric Society, Vol. 52, No. 6, June 2004, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

" Tai Chi Improves Sleep in Elderly People " Maureen Williams, ND,

Healthnotes Newswire, 8/5/04, pccnaturalmarkets.com

 

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