What is IGF 1?
by
site editor Stephen J. Lincoln, last update: 5/16/2012 10:00:32 AM.
hgh
IGF 1 is closely related to HGH and production can be increased through HGH treatment. IGF 1 stands for insulin like growth factor 1, because the protein based hormone is very similar in structure to insulin. Like HGH, IGF 1 plays a major role in cell division and is secreted after receiving stimulation from human growth hormone. The majority of IGF 1 is secreted from the liver and it effects nearly every part of the body; muscles, nervous system, lungs and skin. An important function of IGF 1 is that it plays a key role in "programmed cell death", which means that it stimulates the death of older body cells. Body cells which are active for an extended period of time are far more likely to become damaged and have irregularities, and this cell will pass on these irregularities to future cells that multiply from it and this process can eventually result in cancer.
Without enough IGF 1 in the system energy levels drop and it becomes much harder to maintain muscle because IGF 1 keeps protein synthesis in the muscles high. Bodybuilders can benefit not only from the effects of HGH but also from the IGF 1 that HGH produces. IGF 1 will ensure that protein conversion (the amount of protein ingested in relation to the amount digested and used by the body) is high and that a large amount of it goes to producing muscle. It also stimulates the body to burn fat for energy and is great for metabolism. The increase in metabolism caused by IGF 1 is responsible for much of the energy boost you receive from human growth hormone treatment.
A lack of IGF 1 can be caused by a genetic disorder or simply by malnutrition. Laron Dwarfism is an IGF 1 deficiency caused by the fact that the body lack human growth hormone receptors and results in underdevelopment. In old age, many people suffer from a lack of IGF 1 because they also lack HGH. The pituitary slowly stops producing HGH as people age and this results in much less IGF 1 being produced as well. The most natural way to produce more IGF 1 is by increasing levels of HGH.
Bodybuilders are the people who can benefit the most from IGF 1, though taking synthetically produced IGF 1 can have negative side effects such as nausea, hypoglycemia and the growth of tumors. This is because receiving IGF 1 from an outside source means that it will be unregulated. As said, the best way to improve levels of IGF 1 is by improving levels of HGH; which will also have all around positive effects on your health.