HGH is a polypeptide hormone made up of 191 different amino acids. It is produced naturally by the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain.

There are two types of human growth hormone available. One is taken from the pituitary glands of cadavers, homogenised and purified as much as possible.

The other is genetically engineered. E Coli (escherichia coli), a bacterium taken form the gut, can be reprogrammed to manufacture HGH synthetically.

HGH has a colourful history. In the 1920s scientists extracted growth hormones from oxen and grew large rats with it. Today athletes apply the same principles to help develop large muscles. The drugs are used in real life to help with growth disorders in children and HGH is sometimes used in conjunction with L-Dopa for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. As well as working on children with growth hormone deficiencies, however, the drugs are effective on people with normal growth hormones.

HGH stimulates the breakdown of fat, the fuel for energy and thus spares protein for the body. This stimulates the synthesis of collagen which strengthens cartilage, bones, tendons and ligaments. The stimulated liver also produces somatomedins which are the messenger molecules which determine human growth.

In both prescriptive use of HGH and abuse by athletes a daily input of up to 8,000 calories is recommended to fuel the growth which HGH can induce. In America there are two approved brands of synthetic HGH available - Protropin, made by Genetech in California, and Humatrope, manufactured by Eli Lilly in Indianapolis.

Up to half a dozen naturally produced (from cadavers) brands also exist. These have been banned in many countries after several instances of patients catching CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease)

It is recommended on the athletics and swimming circuit that athletes use the drug in conjunction with more conventional steroids as the lean muscle created is often quite weak in relation to its size. Steroids help strengthen the muscle while HGH burns the fat and strengthens the connective tissue (tendons and ligaments).

Human growth hormones, like many anabolic steroids, have a cancer growing ability. They may also causes liver disease, skin pigmentation, coarse body hair, joint pain, increased heart size, enlargement of facial features and widening of fingers and toes. Enjoy.