Human Growth Hormone

• HGH is short for human growth hormone. The human growth hormone is released by the pituitary gland, and its production declines over time. According to the Mayo Clinic, this natural decrease in production has prompted an interest in the use of HGH to counteract the symptoms of aging.
  There are no age requirements for taking HGH supplements or injections, just a need to prove a deficiency. HGH has many different uses in both adults as well as children.
  
  

HGH for Children

• Children take HGH when there is a deficiency in the body. If a child's pituitary gland does not make enough HGH on its own, the child's growth will be disturbed. Supplementing the child with HGH will help the child to grow and function normally.
  According to Vanderbilt University, HGH side effects in children can include ear infections, abdominal pains, change in vision, headache, rashes, diarrhea or vomiting, premature breast enlargement, joint pain and swelling of limbs.
  It is also important to note that if the child has an adequate supply of natural HGH, it would be dangerous to give any additional HGH. An overabundance can cause serious complications and side effects.
  
  

HGH for Adults

• Once a person begins to age, the human growth hormone is no longer produced in such high levels, causing a basis for claims that HGH could, in a sense, reverse aging.
  HGH injections for adults require a prescription from a doctor and a health care professional to administer them. HGH injections are expensive, costing around $15,000 per year, and are often not covered by medical insurance.
  An alternative to injections are supplements, sold in pill form. These are cheaper and can be ordered online without a prescription. Companies which sell HGH supplements claim that the users will see improvements in many age-related symptoms. However, these claims have not yet been scientifically proven.
  
  

Caution

• Due to the lack of evidence from reliable sources to prove or disprove the effects of supplemental HGH, taking the hormone can be risky. For adults hoping to reverse aging, it can be a gamble due to the lack of solid evidence that HGH injections are beneficial. According to study preformed with animals, noted in "The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Anti-Inflammation Diet," an over-abundance of human growth hormone can actually decrease life expectancy.
  The Mayo Clinic states that natural HGH has a wide variety of benefits to people of all ages, but as far as supplemental HGH, only benefits to children with stunted growth have sufficient evidence to back them up.