HGH helps to maintain, build, and repair healthy tissue in the brain and other organs. This hormone can help to speed up healing after an injury and repair muscle tissue after exercise. This helps to build muscle mass, boost metabolism, and burn fat. HGH is also said to benefit the quality and appearance of the skin.
Human Growth Hormone for Bodybuilding
Human growth hormone (HGH) is associated with increased fat loss and enhanced cosmetic muscle growth. Bodybuilders may inject human growth hormone to achieve a more muscular appearance. However, most of the increase in muscle mass is actually due to fluid retention, not actual muscle growth. There are also risks associated with the use of human growth hormone.
Because of a perceived advantage to muscle growth and strength, bodybuilders and athletes who are tempted to take performance-enhancing drugs and supplements like steroids have taken HGH in order to gain an athletic advantage, or for rapid, cosmetic muscle growth.
Because HGH taken orally can be broken down by digestion, HGH is injected when used as a supplement drug. HGH is also promoted as an agent for rejuvenation for aging people who want to look and perform younger.
Side Effects
The following (but rare) side-effects of injected HGH have been reported with excessive and prolonged abuse:
- Muscle or joint pain
- Suppression of pituitary/hypothalamus gland function
- Swelling of body tissues (edema)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (wrist nerve pain)
- Elevated blood glucose levels
Expert Assessment
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) in its 2009 review, concluded this about HGH:
“Human growth hormone increases lean body mass within weeks of administration; however, some of this change is within the water compartment and not in body cell mass. Human growth hormone is sometimes administered as a single agent, but often it is used in combination with androgens. Combined administration of HGH and resistance training is associated with maximal gains in lean body mass, muscle size, and voluntary strength in men compared with resistance exercise alone.
