Expectations vs Reality: What HGH Supplements Marketers Promise to Achieve

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As we get older, a lot of things will inevitably start to change, including the state of our health, the way we think, and, to some extent, our physical appearance. And nearly all of these changes are tied to hormones, especially human growth hormones. For those who are not already in the know when it comes to these particular hormones, human growth hormones contribute to a plethora of functions in the body that support homeostasis.

How Does a Human Growth Hormone Deficiency Affect the Body?

Something to note when it comes to human growth hormones is that the pituitary gland secretes a lot less of them as we get older. Additionally, the production of this hormone can start to take a nosedive following an injury to the pituitary or hypothalamus gland. What's more, several studies show that tumors affecting either the pituitary gland or hypothalamus, along with the radiation and surgical procedures used to treat them, can slow down HGH production as well. Regardless of the cause, a decline in HGH production often leads to a deficiency that can bring about a myriad of less than pleasant symptoms. That being said, some of the more notable ones include the following:

- Weight gain

- Low libido

- A decline in muscle, strength, and stamina

- Low bone density

- Anxiety

- Depression

- Cardiovascular problems

- Insulin resistance

- Thinning hair

- High cholesterol

The severity of these symptoms can vary depending on how deficient an individual is when it comes to their growth hormone levels. For example, some people might only encounter one of these symptoms when their growth hormone (GH) levels fall too low compared to others who might have to contend with two or more. That said, those who find themselves struggling with symptoms brought on by a GH deficiency will often turn to dietary supplements in the hopes of achieving some much-needed relief.

Expectations vs. Reality: What HGH Supplements Marketers Promise but Often Fail to Deliver

Most will agree that the best way to boost low growth hormone levels and to gain relief from human growth hormone deficiency symptoms is by undergoing human growth hormone replacement therapy with a licensed physician. The first step in this process involves taking a blood test to confirm your symptoms are related to a growth hormone deficiency. And if the blood test confirms that is the case, a physician will then prescribe one of the GH injections, which show real proved results.

It should be noted that growth hormone replacement therapy, even with insurance, is cost-prohibitive for many people. For this reason, many will start taking supplements instead. Cognizant of this fact, many supplement companies will make unsubstantiated claims regarding the effectiveness of their products as a way to entice people to buy them. And in many cases, they either don't work as promised or provide only marginal results at best. To put this into perspective, let's take a closer look at what is real compared to what is fake as it relates to HGH supplements:

Promise: Fountain of youth

Many growth hormone supplement marketers will claim that their supplements, especially those that contain arginine and gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), for example, are like a proverbial fountain of youth in that they can reverse signs of premature aging.

Truth

In short, there is no credible data that shows taking GH supplements can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, let alone do anything to combat sagging skin, all of which are hallmarks of premature aging.

Promise: High libido

Many GH supplement marketers also claim that their supplements, especially the ones that contain Ginseng and Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), for example, can boost libido and even improve overall sexual function.

Truth

According to Miles Spar, a board-certified internal medicine and integrative medicine physician, supplements containing Ginseng, Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and similar ingredients can provide short-term improvements when it comes to stimulating sexual desire. However, they are only marginally effective in terms of combatting erectile dysfunction or other conditions that can preclude sexual activity.

Promise: Better appearance

There is scientific evidence that supports the fact that injectable GH medications can lead to a better overall appearance. Studies show that taking GH medications, such as Norditropin and Omnitrope, can lead to stronger, healthier bones and muscles, not to mention healthier, thicker, and stronger hair. And the same is true when it comes to biotin, calcium, fish oil, and other supplements, albeit to a lesser extent.

Truth

The majority of supplements on the market do not deliver the kind of results that many manufacturers promise. In many cases, an individual will have to take large doses of a given supplement before seeing results. And even then, those results are only slight.

Bottom Line

In summary, the only tried and true way to boost low GH levels is to undergo growth hormone replacement therapy, which includes the use of FDA-approved GH medications. Of course, this is not to say that supplements are ineffective; however, they pale in comparison to their FDA-approved counterpart in terms of boosting low GH levels and providing relief from human growth hormone deficiency symptoms.