IGF-1 maintains muscle, connective tissues, brain and heart cells. Find out what it is and why it is widely used in anti-aging therapy and athletic training protocols.
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF 1) is a protein, produced primarily by the liver, responsible for a wide range of cellular functions including normal growth and health maintenance. Similar in molecular structure to insulin (hence the name), this hormone helps to transfer glucose through the cell membranes and helps to supply the raw materials that cells need for growth and repair including muscle, heart and nerve cells.
Insulin is made in the pancreas and IGF 1 is produced in the liver. The two hormones work together,back and forth to determine what the body will use as fuel. When you eat, insulin kicks in and the body is fueled by sugar. During fasting periods, fat is primarily utilized for fuel. Over time, if the liver becomes fatty, the body can lose the capacity to make IGF 1, thus causing the body to create more insulin, resulting in diabetes.
IGF-1 plays an important role in childhood growth and continues to have anabolic effects in adults. IGF-1 is produced throughout life, with the highest levels of IGF-1 production occurring during puberty and the lowest levels during infancy and old age.
Production of IGF-1 is stimulated by growth hormone (GH) and can be diminished by many factors including malnutrition, GH insensitivity and lack of GH receptors.
Variation in levels of GH and IGF-1 in the body include: insulin levels, genetics, disease, age, sex, ethnicity, nutrition, stress and fitness level.
More GH and IGF-1 enhances muscle and cognitive performance. Therefore, optimizing the production and secretion of GH can be a great addition to any fitness regimen or wellness program.
When the volume of human growth hormone (HGH) produced by the pituitary gland increases, it causes an increase in the production of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) by the liver and results in several health benefits such as:
Both GH and IGF-1 are known to enhance performance, and increasing GH leads to increased IGF-1.
IGF-1 maintains muscle, connective tissues, brain and heart cells so it is widely used in anti-aging and athletic training protocols. Because IGF-1 is a protein, it cannot be absorbed orally since it is rapidly broken down in the gastrointestinal tract. This is why injection therapy is the preferred method.
The peptide therapy protocols (Amino Acid Analogs) prescribed the TeleWellnessMD providers are also known as secretagogues (pronounced se-creta-gog), a substance that promotes secretion. These amino acid chains communicate with the body to produce or release growth hormone. Hence a secretagogue causes the body’s own natural processes to produce growth hormone and resultant increase in IGF-1 levels. Secretagogues do not act as growth hormones but rather stimulate the pituitary gland to secrete your stored growth hormone. The subcutaneous injection of secretagogues for growth hormone stimulation is a preferred route to help slow down age and environmental reductions in growth hormone levels.
IGF-1 is available by prescription at TeleWellnessMD.com. For more information, chat or call a TeleWellnessMD Advisor at (877) 659-6050 or download our FREE Peptide Therapy Guide!
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TelewellnessMD® provides consulting and program recommendations for general health, age management, nutrition and other wellness healthcare needs through an online platform and network of wellness medical providers. Trim® Nutrition’s product line includes vitamins, supplements and protein shakes manufactured in CGMP facilities and proprietary nutrient injections compounded in a certified licensed pharmacy using the highest quality ingredients. Headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, Trim® Nutrition’s clinical staff of physicians, pharmacists, registered nurses, and research and development specialists are dedicated to the mission of Making Bodies Better™.