Human Growth Hormone Facts

Human growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. During childhood, the hormone stimulates growth. Later in life, it helps maintain your tissues and organs. By about the time you reach middle age, your body slows its production of the hormone.

Steroid

• Human growth hormone is commonly taken as an anabolic steroid by athletes looking to enhance their athletic performance.

Banned Substance

• Because of its uses as a performance-enhancing steroid, the governing bodies of many sporting groups, including the International Olympic Committee, ban its use. Human growth hormone can be detected using a simple blood test.

Fountain of Youth?

• Some people believe taking human growth hormone may help slow the aging process. However, studies are conflicted about whether there is any real benefit. Among the reported benefits of taking it as an anti-aging agent are increased energy levels, increased muscle and less body fat.

Medical Uses

• Human growth hormone is often given to children with growth disorders. It is also given to people whose bodies do not make enough of it.

Availability

• Although there are some nasal sprays on the market that claim to contain human growth hormone, the only way to administer it is by injection. There are also some supplements on the market that claim to boost your body's production of human growth hormone naturally.