From Hollywood to Main Street
If
you want to know what's truly hot and fashionable, look to Hollywood.
Many aging actors have been regularly taking human growth hormones
for years to remain thin and attractive for their careers.
Although
far from being a mainstream phenomenon, it is estimated that
about 300,000 Americans are shooting up with HGH, a rapid rise
from the estimated 2,000 that were doing so in the mid-1990's.
One
of the reasons is that HGH is more readily available now that
biotech companies have learned to synthesize it through recombinant
DNA technology; previously the only source was natural HGH from
human cadavers, an obviously rare and expensive supply.
Somatopause - The Middle Age Spread
Older
health club members face a double whammy. Although they work
out at the gym regularly and seem to be constantly dieting,
as they age they lose more muscle mass and gain more body fat
especially around the middle. Those long cardio sessions can't
seem to get the midriff past a certain point.
Welcome
to middle age. This malady is called "somatopause".
The middle-age somatopause is signified by energy decline, weight-gain
(usually around the middle, and hips), loss of muscle, and wrinkled
skin. Other symptoms include energy decline, a rise in bad LDL
cholesterol and a lowering of the good HDL.
Somatopause
is related directly to the decline of HGH being produced by
the body by the pituitary gland as we age. It is an extrapolation
of the term "menopause" and applies to both men and
women whose natural production of HGH started a steady gradual
decline since age 30 and continues to decline for the rest of
their lives.
So,
it begs the question, if somatopause is caused by the body's
natural decline of HGH, what if we were to increase the HGH
in our system, would that reverse its effects? By most observations,
the answer appears to be yes.
Wisconsin along with at team of researchers made a startling
discovery in July 1990. They performed experiments on men age
61 to 81 to determine if HGH could cause a reversal in aging
symptoms. One group was given subcutaneous injections of HGH
while the control group was not. HGH cannot be measured directly
because it is detectable in the blood for only a few minutes;
therefore they measured a byproduct called IGF-1 (Insulin Like
Growth Factor). The more IGF-1 in the system, the more HGH is
there as well.
It
All began With a 1990 Journal of Medicine Article
The
late Dr. Daniel Rudman of Madison Wisconsin along with at team
of researchers made a startling discovery in July 1990. They
performed experiments on men age 61 to 81 to determine if HGH
could cause a reversal in aging symptoms. One group was given
subcutaneous injections of HGH while the control group was not.
HGH cannot be measured directly because it is detectable in
the blood for only a few minutes; therefore they measured a
byproduct called IGF-1 (Insulin Like Growth Factor). The more
IGF-1 in the system, the more HGH is there as well.
At
the start, both groups averaged less than 350 U per liter of
IGF-1. After 6 months, the group given the HGH injections had
levels of IGF-1 in the range of 500 to 1500 U per liter, a level
found at a much youthful age, while the control group still
remained at the original 350 level.
What
was more astonishing was that with no other variables, there
was:
An
8.8% increase in lean body mass
A 14.4% decrease in adipose tissue, aka body fat
A 1.6% increase in vertebral bone density.
It was concluded that the drop in natural HGH levels is directly
responsible for much of the observable effects we call "aging".
And furthermore, that aging's effects could be reversed if the
level of HGH could be maintained at a higher elevation. This
is the finding that launched a thousand ships and explains why
today you get all those spam e-mails trying to sell you HGH
and HGH releasers over the web. Who doesn't want the fountain
of youth?
The
Vanity Medicine
There
are roughly 76 million baby boomers in the U.S. alone and in
contrast to previous generations that have reached middle age,
this generation is determined to remain young and vigorous.
They seem to be looking for that magic bullet, or pill they
can take to keep their looks and vitality. Should that magic
pill be regular subcutaneous injections of HGH cost anywhere
from $500 to $1,000 per month and carry unknown health risks?
Risks of Artificial HGH
If
taking a pill, or in this case an injection, for prolonged youth
seems too good to be true, well, you're probably right.
A
respected source about anti-aging is Dr. Nicolas Perricone,
a Yale affiliated dermatologist. In his latest book, The Perricone
Prescription, he clarified the findings of the original Rudman
studies as follows:
"
As exciting as these results were, there was a downside. Subsequent
studies using injectable growth hormone at similar doses to
the first study found unacceptable side effects . . . The studies
were extended to a period of a year or longer and researchers
realized that prolonged supplementation could induce diabetes,
arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome, making the results very
disappointing…Supplementation with injectable human growth
hormone is still very experimental and we have not accumulated
enough data to assure its safety."
He goes on to explain that HGH is basically good, it's the means
of injecting high doses of HGH that causes health risks, therefore,
it's best to mimic our own body's production of HGH. Dr. Perricone
goes on to say:
"Another very new and exciting strategy for growth hormone
supplementation is to use amino acids or small peptides to trigger
the body's own release of HGH from our pituitary. This is a
much safer method because we have normal feedback mechanisms
and controls over a hormone when it is being produced by our
own bodies. "
Luckily,
there are alternative ways of raising the HGH levels without
costly injections and one of those is the neighborhood gym.
The Natural Way
It
is widely believed that certain forms of exercise will stimulate
the body's natural production of HGH in older adults. Since
the body seldom produces compounds that will be harmful to itself,
what better way to enjoy the benefits of HGH invoked youth without
the health risks?
According
to Phil Campbell, age 50 and author of a fitness book, Ready,
Set, GO! Synergy Fitness, natural HGH production can indeed
be stimulated to produce outstanding physical results. He cites
160 biomedical research studies in his book
His
presents a new regimen which focuses on high-intensity training.
Such training, combined with proper sleep and diet, can spur
the pituitary gland's "pulsing" output of HGH. Campbell
calls such HGH goosing a natural anti-aging regimen. And he
stresses natural.
Anaerobic Exercise Should Be A Part
Of Every Fitness Routine
Like
the newer low glycemic diets are challenging the staid old food
pyramid, Campbell wants you to do the opposite of what you've
been told:
"The
focus is not on endless hours of aerobic exercise, but on the
incredible benefits of anaerobic exercise on the body's hormone
release system. Short bursts - lasting 10 to 30 seconds - of
intense activity can induce your body to naturally release HGH
growth hormone by 530%, which is the substance that keeps you
looking and feeling young.
The
reason older players like the aged Oakland Raiders keep playing
beyond their time, is due to the anaerobic exercise that they
perform during practice. Anaerobic exercise - the hard and fast,
sprinting types of exercise - is shown by medical researchers
to make the body produce significant amounts anti-aging growth
hormone," says Campbell, And this keeps older players strong,
lean and muscular".
"Growth
hormone is given to children with clinical stature growth problems
to help them grow normally," says Campbell, "however,
it does not make adults grow taller, but it does reverse several
measurable clinical factors of the middle-age spread, which
has been named 'the somatopause' by researchers."
"Anaerobic
exercise should be a part of every fitness routine," However,
he cautions that physician clearance and a progressive build-up
of the high-intensity exercise is necessary to prevent injury.
Conclusion
Youth
and fitness are an associated pair. Conversely, pharmacology
is closely associated with disease. Nature should always be
preferred over drugs. Mankind's quest for the fountain of youth
may lie not in a bottle or in a syringe, but in the grunts and
groans of intense exercise.
"I
am 51 years, and was weighing in at a whopping 228 pounds, the
most I have ever weighed in my life. I was always tired, out
of shape and just plain sick of feeling so bad. I started reading
the Ready, Set ,Go book and was so excited about the Sprint
8 program, I could not wait to get started. I made slow changes
in nutrition such as eliminating the 6 cans of regular soda
I was drinking daily, started drinking protein shakes and eating
whole fiber foods, fruits and vegetables. Regarding my exercise,
I am using a personal trainer, joined a gym and am working out
about 5-6 days a week: Aerobic training 2x per week, weight
training 4x per week, and finally the Sprint 8 program 4x per
week. I do the Sprint 8 program on a high school track, elliptical
machine or a stationary bike. Since June 1, 2007 I have lost
a total of 31 pounds, 4 inches in my waist, and am developing
some muscles. I feel more energetic, confident and some of the
girls at work say I even look HOT!!! This is a life style change,
and good lord willing, I will be using this routine the rest
of my life. Thank you so much for writing this book and changing
my life." - Michael Altman*
Book
Review by Vince McConnell*, CPT, C Ht.
Exercise Science Editor, Dolfzine
On-line Fitness
**(Results
may vary)
There
are two features to a fitness regimen to consider when planning
an overall program, the obvious direct effect from the workouts,
and the not-so-apparent indirect result from the fitness lifestyle.
The
direct results from working out and eating right are well known
in regards to increasing muscular strength and cardiovascular
endurance, gaining lean muscle tissue, and losing bodyfat. However,
especially as you progress in years, it's the indirect effect
of living the fitness lifestyle that matters as much as, if
not more than, the evident muscular benefits.
Author
Phil Campbell provides a comprehensive framework to this fitness
lifestyle in his book, "Ready, Set, Go!, Synergy Fitness".
Campbell is a competitive masters athlete who truly exudes the
benefits of a committed life in fitness. This book is a complete
guide to take you from beginner to advanced in five separate
levels. Throughout the book, there are testimonials from people
of all ages, and all levels of fitness, expressing the benefits
of following this program. Though some of the proposed theories
in this book are not as black and white as they appear, the
information definitely serves a valid purpose in enlightening
you to what is possible through a well thought-out fitness program.
In
Part One of the book, Campbell begins by explaining your hormones'
role in anti-aging, and the results you can achieve through
a well-planned health regimen. He then discusses how to naturally
manipulate your Human Growth Hormone (HGH) profile without drugs
through proper rest, nutrition, and specific types of exercise.
He mentions the liabilities of HGH injections, and how HGH affects
other areas of your health. Campbell goes into why HGH is so
popular amongst today's fitness vernacular, and reveals the
origin of HGH abuse. This section on how to use nutritional
supplementation to affect your overall health is of great value
to anyone unclear with all the typical medical jargon espoused
today. Though there is some question on some points, such as
refraining from carbohydrate consumption after training, it
must be understood that Campbell's recommendations are geared
purely towards enhancing your body's own production of HGH.
Thus it all depends on what your particular goals are.
Continuing
on the hormonal path, you learn of how to turn up your fat-burning
metabolism through controlling your blood glucose levels. How
exercise helps prevent diabetes is covered, as well as the antioxidant
advantages of regulated exercise. Commendably, Campbell expresses
his disdain for relying on pharmaceuticals to ward-off ill health.
He gives plenty of sound information that puts your health's
destiny in front of you, by providing guidelines to follow in
a practical way. The next chapter deals with "redefining
your age", as many prime examples are given to backup what
many of us in the fitness profession know to be true, that there
is a major difference in your chronological count and your fitness
age. The author then accurately writes on the need to train
all three muscle fiber types, which is rarely covered in programs
directed at those over 40. Everything you need to know regarding
muscle fiber types, and their energy pathways is covered in
more than sufficient detail for the inexperienced reader, and
professional alike.
Part
Two of the book begins with a strategic plan in coordinating
the various targets of a sound fitness program. Though much
of this information is "over the head" of the average
reader and not a prerequisite for being successful on a plan
such as this, it's there for those readers who want to know
the theories, and science, behind what they are accomplishing.
The five levels of this program are discussed so that you will
be able to assess where you should begin. From here, Campbell
does an excellent job of covering effective, non-conventional
stretching application. He wisely steps away from the typical
flexibility training advice, and explains why it's best to stretch
a certain way before your workout instead of in a manner that
adversely affects muscle activation. An efficient stretching
routine is included, along with appropriate photos. The book
then covers cardiovascular conditioning, and its significance
in an overall body composition, health program. Campbell's version
of cardio interval training is called the Sprint 8 Workout and
is well presented in this format, including many theories on
possible beneficial hormonal effects. Methods for increasing
speed are discussed as well as several references for further
study. This type information is what separates this book from
other "fitness for life" books, as the content is
more than sufficient for any competitive athlete, as well as
the man or woman simply wanting a program to get in their best
shape and maintain it. Along these lines, plyometric exercise
is included, though I would caution this method of training
be used only judiciously even for well-seasoned athletes. Regardless,
considering the included photos, many of these exercises can
be modified to apply in most individual's workouts to enhance
agility and coordination. This section of the book concludes
with a wide-ranging segment on weight training. Photos and clear
explanations are provided to orientate the beginner, and to
inspire the experienced athlete. Campbell separates the exercises
into two groups to provide you with better understanding of
why you perform certain movements at prescribed times. Again,
excellent photographs with a wide range of models are used to
illustrate the recommended exercises.
The
Part Three of the book provides a strategic plan to follow,
according to all five fitness levels. You have the routines
all laid out to eliminate guesswork. Campbell admirably covers
the potential pitfalls to maintaining a demanding, yet effective,
exercise and nutrition program and practical ways to avoid succumbing
to them.
In
closing, it's better that a book cover more than is needed rather
than vice versa, and "Ready, Set, Go!" does just that.
Although, the book is directed at "time-crunched adults,"
it definitely requires a commitment to adhere to. That may sound
like a not so positive statement about this book, but it's the
plain truth about any effective fitness program that will bring
lasting results. Though the common reader might not digest some
of the information, it need not distract from all of the solid
practical advice that a man who leads by his example is sharing.
Though not for the man or woman who is still trying to make
their mind up on exercising, but for the person looking to naturally
alter their body chemistry for better health and appearance,
and those wanting to challenge themselves beyond the typical
gym routine this book has just the tools to give you that "feel
like an athlete" edge. For the aspiring, or competitive
athlete, both young and "not so young", I recommend
this book as a good overall manual that will more than suffice
in providing you with tools to apply for optimal health, performance,
and appearance.
