Growth hormone

Most of the time when you hear about how hormones impact women in perimenopause and menopause, the hormones mentioned are estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol.

Although they all have big roles to play, many other hormones are involved in determining the health and welfare of a woman’s body, and they often interact with each other.

That is the case for two other hormones I am going to talk about: human growth hormone (HGH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).

Human growth hormone is made by the pituitary gland and is necessary for human development, cell reproduction and cell regeneration.

It also has been shown to be involved in protecting brain function.

Production of HGH declines with age, so there is a lot of interest in finding ways to boost HGH levels to help fight aging.

Although there is no one hormone or substance that can turn back aging, increasing your HGH levels once they decline may provide some health benefits, especially in the menopause years.

Another hormone that works closely with HGH is insulin-like growth factor.

This hormone is mainly produced in the liver and manages what HGH does in the body.

HGH and IFG-1 work together to support and maintain healthy bone and tissue growth.

If you want to find out whether you HGH levels are at a healthy level, your doctor can order an IGF-1 test.

Since IGF-1 levels remain stable while HGH levels change depending on your activity level and what you eat, the results of this test can be a good indication of how much HGH your body is making.

Healthy levels of HGH for women is 1 to 14 nanograms per milliliter (1-14 ng/mL).

Both estrogen and HGH levels decline in middle age, and the signs and symptoms of low estrogen and HGH are similar; that is, increase in fat accumulation especially around the abdomen, depression, anxiety, fatigue, increased sensitivity to heat and cold, decreased bone mass, greater risk of osteoporosis, loss of muscle mass, trouble sleeping, thinning skin, and low libido.

Because human growth hormone is involved in so many factors that impact perimenopause and menopause and overall health in general as women age, it makes sense to take steps to keep it at healthy levels.

Although HGH products are available, using them may result in serious side effects, including muscle or nerve pain, edema, numbness and tingling of the skin, high cholesterol, and an increased risk of diabetes.

The safest and recommended way to help boost HGH is by adopting lifestyle changes.

Here are some of my suggestions.

 If you are carrying extra belly fat, reducing it may help achieve better HGH levels.

Although losing belly fat can be challenging, it can be done effectively by following some of the other suggestions I am going to mention that can help increase your human growth hormone levels.

 For example, intermittent fasting can help boost HGH levels and also lower and stabilize your insulin levels. This is important because spiking insulin levels can interfere with human growth hormone activity.

A popular intermittent fasting program is to fast for 16 hours and consume your meals during the remaining 8.

 You should eat high-quality protein. Women need about 25 grams of protein at each meal. Good sources include organic or grass-fed beef and poultry, wild-caught fish and seafood, fermented soy, nuts, and seeds.

 Focus on healthy fats from cold water fatty fish, olive and coconut oils, olives, nuts, seeds, and avocadoes. Avoid any foods that contain trans fats and limit your consumption of saturated fats from oils, meat, and dairy products.

 Limit or avoid eating foods with added sugar and processed foods, especially refined carbohydrates such as pasta, rice, and items made with flour. These foods boost insulin levels which in turn can lower levels of HGH.

 Routine exercise is very important for boosting HGH, and it does not have to be intense or vigorous to be effective. However, moderately intense physical activity nearly every day of the week for 30 minutes or more per day is recommended.

 If you have access to a sauna, using one has been shown to increase the circulation of human growth hormone. If you do use a sauna, talk to your doctor first, especially if you have a heart condition or other medical issue that may make using one dangerous.

 Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and smoking because these can lead to lower HGH levels.

When you make changes to your lifestyle to help boost human growth hormone levels, you will be alleviating menopausal symptoms, enhancing bone health and helping prevent osteoporosis, more energized, and working toward better overall health.

Let me know how you feel once you make the commitment to increase your HGH.

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