Growth hormones such as those listed below are natural hormones your pituitary gland and hypothalamus produce and release. They promote growth in children, helps maintain body structure and metabolism.
Adiponectin
Adiponectin is an adipokine protein hormone and is released by your fat cells as well as skeletal muscle, heart muscle and endothelial cells. It helps with insulin sensitivity and inflammation. Low levels of adiponectin are associated with obesity, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis. High levels of adiponectin are found in people with lower than normal body weight or those with Anorexia Nervosa.
The two hormones, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and growth hormone (GH), regulate adiponectin release in fat cells. Low levels of adiponectin increase the amount of insulin by the pancreas and decrease inflammation resulting in the protection of your vascular system, heart, lungs and colon. (1) peptide
Growth hormone (GH) or Human Growth Hormone (HGH) or Somatotropin
GH is released into the body by the Pituitary Gland and stimulates the growth of the individual, as well as cell reproduction and the regeneration of body tissues. HGH is a natural hormone and is not to be confused with the synthetic type used by bodybuilders or children with growth issues. HGH peaks during puberty. GH promotes the growth of bone and cartilage, regulates fat, muscle, tissue in our bodies, and other aspects of our metabolism such as insulin action and blood sugar levels. GH prompts our liver to make a substance called insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1).
HGH increases vertical growth in children. However, once your growth plates have fused, HGH cannot make you taller.
Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1)
IGF is a hormone that your body makes naturally in the liver and acts much like insulin. It used to be known as somatomedin. IGF helps to control growth hormone secretion in the pituitary gland. IGF works with growth hormones to promote growth and development of bone and tissue. These hormones also affect how your body metabolizes sugar, or glucose. IGF and insulin can work together to rapidly reduce the level of glucose in your blood.
Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH)
GHRH is produced in the hypothalamus. Its main role is to stimulate the pituitary gland to produce and release growth hormone. The action of GHRH on the pituitary gland is counteracted by somatostatin, a hormone which prevents the release of the growth hormone. When there is a normal balanced hormone production, GHRH, somatostatin, growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 levels are regulated by each other. (2)
References
- Professional, C. C. M. (n.d.-a). Adiponectin. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22439-adiponectin
- Growth hormone-releasing hormone | You and Your Hormones from the Society for Endocrinology. (n.d.). https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/growth-hormone-releasing-hormone/
