IGF-1 - A Body Builder's Dream
Even though the human study of IGF-1 is extremely narrow and limited to kids, the fact is that this substance has been studied on rats and humans and IGF-1 has produced some amazing results. IGF-1 has been shown to increase the rate and extent of muscle repair after injury and increase the rate of muscle growth from training. And not only are existing muscle fibres repaired quicker, IGF-1 is responsible for hyperplasia, which is an increase in the amount of muscle fibres.
Currently the license to conduct human trials using IGF-1 is limited to the study of children suffering from growth failure due to IGF-1 deficiency.
Even though the human study of IGF-1 is extremely narrow and limited to kids, the fact that this substance has been studied on rats and humans and is in the hands of people in labs means that the genie is out of the bottle.IGF-1 has produced some amazing results in lab rats and the benefits were so astounding.
Overall benefits in research studies show these growth factors can improve all of these critical health functions: Energy and Endurance, Tissue Repair, Muscle Growth, Sexual Enhancement and Endurance, Immune Balance, Bone Density, Anti-Aging, Fat Loss, Rebuilding of Cartilage (due to high concentrations of glucosamine sulphate), Ligament Repair, Skin Rejuvenation, Blood Glucose Level Improvement, Stress Reduction and Improved Mood and Mental Acuity. It also acts as an Anti-Inflammatory and as a Nerve Regeneration Agent.
A scientific testing program, which was implemented in New Zealand, has positioned that country as the premiere ideal source IGF-1, causing scientists and clinical researchers to further explore the potential applications of antler velvet in mainstream healthcare. In truth, these ground-breaking tests have shown deer velvet extract to contain many health-enhancing properties.
Recently hgh has become extremely popular with those wanting to stave off the aging process. However hgh has to be converted into IGF-1 by the liver in order for hgh to do its job. Why put the liver through that unnecessary work when IGF-1 can be taken directly.
IGF stands for insulin-like growth factor. It is a natural substance that is produced in the human body and is at its highest natural levels during puberty. During puberty IGF is the most responsible for the natural muscle growth that occurs during these few years. There are many different things that IGF does in the human body; Among the effects the most positive are increased amino acid transport to cells, increased glucose transport, increased protein synthesis, decreased protein degradation, and increased RNA synthesis.
When IGF is active it behaves differently in different types of tissues. In muscle cells proteins and associated cell components are stimulated. Protein synthesis is increased along with amino acid absorption. As a source of energy, IGF mobilizes fat for use as energy in adipose tissue.
IGF prevents insulin from transporting glucose across cell membranes. As a result the cells have to switch to burning off fat as a source of energy.
An impressive study conducted at the Nemours Children's clinic in Jacksonville, Florida revealed that IGF-1 improved blood sugar profiles in type II diabetic patients and normalized the insulin resistance in a group of healthy volunteers. Further studies proved that prevention of muscle wasting (often a side-effect of taking Prednisone or other medications) was interrupted and caused normal glucose metabolism.
With caloric restriction, significant loss in muscle mass drops with the fat. IGF-1 not only preserves muscle tissue but increases muscle mass! Indications show that IGF-1 may also improve the fat burning mechanism and improve hormonal weight loss effects without having to restrict calorie consumption. It has been known to depress the appetite, especially for sweets.
For both men and women, deer antler velvet has been used for sexual enhancement. For over 2,000 years, according to Dr. Alex Duarte, O.D., PhD, "Chinese Physicians have used deer antler velvet to treat over fifty-five different disorders including general pain, chronic joint degeneration, sexual impotency, and fertility."
To quote Dr. Sweeney, "So we were able to conclude that IGF-1 could prevent all of the hallmarks of age-related atrophy and loss of skeletal muscle function in mammalian aging, at least based on the rodent model, and now we're hoping to pursue this in larger animal models."
Dr. Sweeney also says that IGF-1 could be used as an instant muscle builder for members of the general population.
