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Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1, commonly referred to as IGF-1 is a polypeptide hormone that belongs to the growth factor hormone family. This is a naturally produced hormone in all human beings with production primarily occurring in the liver, and to a degree in the peripheral tissues. However, synthetic versions do exist and are produced by recombinant DNA technology.
IGF-1 is a highly anabolic hormone that affects numerous areas of the human body. It also shares an important relationship with Human Growth Hormone (HGH), and on a structural basis is similar to insulin. There are several synthetic IGF-1 products on the market, but perhaps the most well-known is Increlex manufactured by Tercia INC.
In a therapeutic setting IGF-1 is primarily used to treat IGF-1 deficiencies. However, it is also used in patients who do not respond to HGH. With this type of therapy, the individual may very well have plenty of HGH in his system but for one reason or another is not responding to the hormone. IGF-1 treatment for this purpose is FDA approved, but it is considered very controversial by some medical professionals due to the possible metabolic effects that could occur. Then we have performance enhancement, and in recent years IGF-1 has become an important hormone in this arena. It is powerfully anabolic, will carry strong recovery properties and has become a favorite of many in bodybuilding circles.
IGF-1 Functions & Traits:
IGF-1 is a protein hormone comprised of a string of 70 amino acids. Synthetic or naturally produced the sequence is the same; there is no difference. As a functioning hormone, IGF-1 largely functions by supporting growth through the enhancement of amino acids, glucose and fatty acids. As it shares a close relationship with insulin, it can also affect your blood sugar levels. The use of IGF-1 can potentially lower your blood sugar significantly resulting in a hypoglycemic state. Due to the enhancement of fatty acids, this further creates the ability to promote body fat, which is definitely a potential downside to use. However, the upside can make it worthwhile if a well-planned diet and lifestyle is in place when supplementing with exogenous IGF-1.
IGF-1 has been shown to greatly increase the number of cells in the skeletal muscle, which in turn can lead to an enhancement in lean tissue growth. This occurs by activating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT pathway. Not only can it promote muscle growth, but by this mode of action it can also promote bone growth, and to a degree growth of our internal organs.
IGF-1 also shares a close relationship to HGH, another powerful and naturally produced hormone by all human beings. HGH, like IGF-1, is anabolic and IGF-1 is largely responsible for a large portion of the anabolic action provided by HGH. This includes two primary traits that are commonly associated with anabolism in nitrogen retention and protein synthesis. Enhanced nitrogen retention is important due to the fact that all lean tissue is comprised of approximately 16% nitrogen. When nitrogen stores fall, this can send the individual into a catabolic (muscle wasting) state. Conversely, the more nitrogen we retain the more anabolic we remain; we build and support more lean tissue. As for protein synthesis, this represents the rate by which cells build proteins, proteins representing the primary building block of lean muscle tissue. It’s not too hard to see how an enhancement in protein synthesis would be beneficial. This will not only allow you to build and support more lean tissue, but will play an integral role in the recovery process, which is precisely where true progress is made. This closely tied relationship between IGF-1 and HGH is also what leads to increases in muscle cells and the promotion of new muscle fiber growth. With IGF-1 you will now have more muscle cells (muscle cell hyperplasia) and muscle fibers (mitogenesis) to work with.
While the functions and traits of IGF-1 in an anabolic capacity are tremendous, they are ruled by the amount of protein supplied to the muscle cells. Without adequate amounts of protein, exogenous IGF-1 supplementation will be worth very little.
IGF-1 also carries important traits revolving around healing and recovery; in fact, they are quite strong. This is very apparent when we consider the hormone’s role on the production of connective tissue. IGF-1 will also improve collagen function, collagen, which is found in all connective tissue in the body. An improvement in collagen function results in stronger bones, as well as strength in the muscles for proper movement. It can even affect the skin and blood vessels in a positive way. From here, IGF-1 will also promote cartilage repair and promote enhanced bone density making it an excellent hormone in cases of needed rejuvenation and repair.
A final note on the traits of IGF-1: this hormone is known as a neuroprotector and neuropromotor, which could potentially lead to improved mental function. This factor could potentially be very beneficial to the elderly when issues of dementia arise. However, further study is still required in order to fully understand the effects, but they do appear to be promising.
IGF-1 is a highly anabolic hormone that affects numerous areas of the human body. It also shares an important relationship with Human Growth Hormone (HGH), and on a structural basis is similar to insulin. There are several synthetic IGF-1 products on the market, but perhaps the most well-known is Increlex manufactured by Tercia INC.
In a therapeutic setting IGF-1 is primarily used to treat IGF-1 deficiencies. However, it is also used in patients who do not respond to HGH. With this type of therapy, the individual may very well have plenty of HGH in his system but for one reason or another is not responding to the hormone. IGF-1 treatment for this purpose is FDA approved, but it is considered very controversial by some medical professionals due to the possible metabolic effects that could occur. Then we have performance enhancement, and in recent years IGF-1 has become an important hormone in this arena. It is powerfully anabolic, will carry strong recovery properties and has become a favorite of many in bodybuilding circles.
IGF-1 Functions & Traits:
IGF-1 is a protein hormone comprised of a string of 70 amino acids. Synthetic or naturally produced the sequence is the same; there is no difference. As a functioning hormone, IGF-1 largely functions by supporting growth through the enhancement of amino acids, glucose and fatty acids. As it shares a close relationship with insulin, it can also affect your blood sugar levels. The use of IGF-1 can potentially lower your blood sugar significantly resulting in a hypoglycemic state. Due to the enhancement of fatty acids, this further creates the ability to promote body fat, which is definitely a potential downside to use. However, the upside can make it worthwhile if a well-planned diet and lifestyle is in place when supplementing with exogenous IGF-1.
IGF-1 has been shown to greatly increase the number of cells in the skeletal muscle, which in turn can lead to an enhancement in lean tissue growth. This occurs by activating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT pathway. Not only can it promote muscle growth, but by this mode of action it can also promote bone growth, and to a degree growth of our internal organs.
IGF-1 also shares a close relationship to HGH, another powerful and naturally produced hormone by all human beings. HGH, like IGF-1, is anabolic and IGF-1 is largely responsible for a large portion of the anabolic action provided by HGH. This includes two primary traits that are commonly associated with anabolism in nitrogen retention and protein synthesis. Enhanced nitrogen retention is important due to the fact that all lean tissue is comprised of approximately 16% nitrogen. When nitrogen stores fall, this can send the individual into a catabolic (muscle wasting) state. Conversely, the more nitrogen we retain the more anabolic we remain; we build and support more lean tissue. As for protein synthesis, this represents the rate by which cells build proteins, proteins representing the primary building block of lean muscle tissue. It’s not too hard to see how an enhancement in protein synthesis would be beneficial. This will not only allow you to build and support more lean tissue, but will play an integral role in the recovery process, which is precisely where true progress is made. This closely tied relationship between IGF-1 and HGH is also what leads to increases in muscle cells and the promotion of new muscle fiber growth. With IGF-1 you will now have more muscle cells (muscle cell hyperplasia) and muscle fibers (mitogenesis) to work with.
While the functions and traits of IGF-1 in an anabolic capacity are tremendous, they are ruled by the amount of protein supplied to the muscle cells. Without adequate amounts of protein, exogenous IGF-1 supplementation will be worth very little.
IGF-1 also carries important traits revolving around healing and recovery; in fact, they are quite strong. This is very apparent when we consider the hormone’s role on the production of connective tissue. IGF-1 will also improve collagen function, collagen, which is found in all connective tissue in the body. An improvement in collagen function results in stronger bones, as well as strength in the muscles for proper movement. It can even affect the skin and blood vessels in a positive way. From here, IGF-1 will also promote cartilage repair and promote enhanced bone density making it an excellent hormone in cases of needed rejuvenation and repair.
A final note on the traits of IGF-1: this hormone is known as a neuroprotector and neuropromotor, which could potentially lead to improved mental function. This factor could potentially be very beneficial to the elderly when issues of dementia arise. However, further study is still required in order to fully understand the effects, but they do appear to be promising.
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