GH Decreases ABDOMINAL FAT and Increases Lean Mass
Muscular Development|September 2022
The Internet is overwhelmed with articles citing research about human growth hormone (HGH) and its effects on body composition. Many times, the population studied is a group suffering from a chronic disease or metabolic disorder; more relevant studies examining GH’s effects on essentially normal, healthy people are relatively few and far between.1,2 Nonetheless, several studies have looked at the use of GH in healthy people who are overweight, obese or abdominally obese to reduce body fat or more specifically, visceral fat.
Daniel Gwartney, MD
GH Decreases ABDOMINAL FAT and Increases Lean Mass

One would think with the generally accepted role GH plays in lipolysis (fat breakdown and release from fat cells) and the established benefit of GH in improving body composition, that researchers would begin looking to determine the therapeutic range rather than continuing to revisit the basic question. Of course, there is value to any well-designed study, as it may expose groups who might be more prone to adverse responses to GH therapy and clarifies indications and contra-indications for GH use. Another benefit to duplication of research is that results are either confirmed or if discrepancies are noted, then the impact of differences between the studies can be evaluated.

Effect on Visceral Fat Loss

One study on the degree of effect of GH on visceral (intra-abdominal) obesity in healthy, adult men was published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.8 The researchers recruited men who were obese (BMI between 27 and 35) with a waistline measuring at least 40 inches. The men were otherwise healthy, had not experienced weight change over the last 12 months and had low-normal IGF-1 levels. The men were divided into the test subjects who received approximately 1mg GH/day (roughly 3 IU) and a control group who received placebo injections. GH (or placebo) was administered for six months and then the subjects were followed for six months offGH (or placebo) to see if any changes persisted after the drug was withdrawn. The GH dose was designed to result in serum IGF-1 levels slightly above the uppermost limit of the normal range. IGF-1 measurements halfway through the GH administration and at the end of GH use confirmed the dose did in fact result in this level of response.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENTView all
Best Cardio for Fat Loss - High Intensity vs. Low Intensity
Muscular Development

Best Cardio for Fat Loss - High Intensity vs. Low Intensity

Low-intensity cardiovascular exercise is the most common way to reduce body fat, despite mounting scientific evidence showing this form of cardiovascular training may not burn body fat as effectively as high-intensity cardio. In addition, low-intensity cardio has also been shown to inhibit muscle growth¹2, making the use of this approach to enhance your physique even more questionable.

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2023
Are Unilateral Exercises More Effective Than Bilateral Exercises?
Muscular Development

Are Unilateral Exercises More Effective Than Bilateral Exercises?

Bilateral exercises simultaneously use both limbs to lift the weight, so that the resistance is being shared between each limb.

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2023
THE AMAZING POWER OF JULIA DI POMPEO
Muscular Development

THE AMAZING POWER OF JULIA DI POMPEO

Pro Figure Champ and Pro Powerlifter!

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2023
BRYAN JONES: THE LORD OF CLASSIC RETURNS!
Muscular Development

BRYAN JONES: THE LORD OF CLASSIC RETURNS!

It seems like a decade has passed since the pandemic began in 2020. That was a chaotic year for all of us. MD sent me to Atlanta to cover the Chicago Pro, because restrictions in Illinois made it impossible to hold Tim Gardner's annual extravaganza there. The athletes still showed up in force to compete, and the Classic Physique division alone featured 30 men. When they came out to be adjudicated, one man stood out in a flash as the one to beat. I had never heard of Bryan Jones until that point aside from a vague recollection that he'd won the USA a couple of years before. With his braided and colored hair piled on top of his head in a gathered bun with the ends appearing to be some type of bizarre plant, I dubbed him \"The Kai Greene of Classic.\" That didn't stick, thankfully, because Bryan \"Lord\" Jones is a unique athlete in his own right. I knew I was looking at a man who was going to make waves in that division. A few months later he did just that, placing fifth in his first Olympia appearance. But we only saw him twice more after that, at the Arnold Classic and once again at the Olympia at the end of 2021. Since then, Jones has been working hard to build the additional size needed to successfully transition to the Open category. I spoke with him about his brief but notable time in Classic, and how he plans to make a big splash in Open.

time-read
10+ mins  |
August 2023
Andrew vs. Hunter: THE BATTLE FOR TEXAS!
Muscular Development

Andrew vs. Hunter: THE BATTLE FOR TEXAS!

A BATTLE IS BREWING

time-read
7 mins  |
August 2023
GET A CLASSIC SUMMER PHYSIQUE WITH LOGAN FRANKLIN
Muscular Development

GET A CLASSIC SUMMER PHYSIQUE WITH LOGAN FRANKLIN

Summer is in full swing, and for the vast majority of bodybuilders that don't compete, this is our showtime! All the many months of toiling away covered up while the sky was dark and gray and icy temperatures had you shivering have led to this. Last month we provided you with eight excellent tips to get ripped and ready, but let's take it a step further. This month, we enlisted the help of Classic Physique superstar and GAT Sport athlete Logan Franklin to come up with his best advice on how to make sure you have the most Classic-looking physique possible to show off on the beaches or at the pool. Here's what he has to say about the Classic look, areas of the physique to emphasize and how, and his best nutrition tips to make sure you turn plenty of heads this summer!

time-read
9 mins  |
August 2023
SUCCESS STORY: YANIV ZUR
Muscular Development

SUCCESS STORY: YANIV ZUR

BALANCING BUSINESS, FAMILY, AND ELITE FITNESS

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2023
HOW MUCH REST IS BEST?
Muscular Development

HOW MUCH REST IS BEST?

Getting enough rest after weight training is essential for optimal muscle growth and performance. Unfortunately, many get insufficient rest because they simply disregard the fact that weightlifting breaks down muscle tissue, creating the requirement for adequate rest to fully recuperate.

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2023
Get Peeled With Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Muscular Development

Get Peeled With Extra Virgin Olive Oil

As you know, pathologic fat accretion results in obesity. The medical community and pharmaceutical industry have been struggling to address this burgeoning condition in the Western culture - particularly in the United States. Obviously, individuals have also been struggling in their attempts to avoid or correct unsightly or unhealthy fat gain. Imagine the shame these professionals and people must feel when they realize they may have been ignoring a risk-free, health-promoting, inexpensive dietary ingredient that can enhance fat loss. Bodybuilders seek potent drugs or supplements to force the metabolism to strip body fat to low single-digit percentages, but failing to acknowledge the foundation of diet can sabotage even their extreme measures.

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2023
CREATINE: THE BEST FORMS
Muscular Development

CREATINE: THE BEST FORMS

New products and formulations are introduced to the supplement market every day. However, it is very rare for a product or especially an ingredient to create noteworthy evolution in supplement performance. Arguably, the greatest leap up this axiomatic evolutionary ladder occurred with the advent of creatine supplements in the 1990s. Creatine has proven over and over to be \"the real deal\" in clinical research and broscience. It's a muscle-building, performance-enhancing supplement that nearly all athletes should use.

time-read
7 mins  |
August 2023