Growth Hormones and the Aging Process

The growth hormone or somatotropin is a glycoprotein hormone that is secreted and carried from one gland or organ of your body through your bloodstream to specific tissues and affects the metabolic process of the target tissue.

It is secreted by your anterior pituitary gland. This is a small oval endocrine gland at the base of the brain. It also sometimes referred to as the master gland of your body as all the other endocrine glands depend on its secretions for stimulation.

The growth hormone is an important element for you to have normal skeletal growth. Studies have shown that the secretion of human growth hormone (HGH) is controlled by the release of certain peptides by the hypothalamus of your brain. One particular substance, somatostatin, has been known to inhibit the secretion of HGH. The HGH has a direct link to many aspects of cellular metabolism. Its most important function, however, is the stimulation of the growth of cartilage and bone in children.

A Critical and Detailed View of HGH

Your quest for answers to human aging is far from over. A lot of questions remain unanswered despite the efforts put into it. Most of you are in the hunt for evidences that will explain all the issues that has left you in the dark about how to reduce, halt or even reverse the aging process.

The core organs that are essential in the aging process are your adrenal glands and your thyroid glands. A serious study of the aging process must take into account the functions of these two glands.

On the other hand, the hormone that significantly controls the aging process is the Human Growth Hormone or HGH. This hormone is in abundant supply in normal and young individuals. It exerts direct control on the size of your muscles and internal organs, and the length of bones. For instance, the lengthening of the bones of the legs and arms is in direct response to HGH until one reaches age eighteen.

While aging progresses, almost everything shrinks in size. All your organs will have reduced metabolic rate. These include your heart, kidney, liver, pancreas and your digestive tract. There is one aspect of your body that does not shrink as you age. This is your body weight, which is just the proportionate increase in fat stored in your body.

During childhood, the HGH causes the growth of long bones and these results for you to reach your final height once you reach age between 18-22. However, this is just one aspect of the complex function of HGH, particularly those appertaining to the aging process. Several studies have demonstrated that every cell in your body has HGH receptors and that HGH is performing multi-functions that affect your metabolism in every organ of your body. HGH also affects skin cells by producing the smooth appearance of children.

In view of this wide-ranging influence of HGH, it is considered as the most critical and essential hormone that determines the physical changes as a direct result to normal aging. It is the single hormone that you should really be concerned about as your understanding of it would surely have great impact at your total well being.