BioSignature - The Growth Hormone, Hormone Link

Column #33, 22nd December 2007

Over the past couple of months we have been considering the influence hormones have on our health.  Today we conclude this review of the major hormones with a focus on Growth Hormone.  How are its levels controlled and what are the health consequences of imbalance?

How has GH helped you so far?

GH is a major regulator of growth until adulthood, and continues to contribute to growth and repair into adulthood.  Extremely important for those of us who wish to remain strong and healthy and reach new performance goals throughout life.

If we want to get the most out of the role of Growth Hormone, then we need to appreciate the need for recovery.  Everything is balance and the Yin and Yang of health includes, of course, the exercise and movement that stimulates growth, strength and function, but also, in equal measures, the sleep and rest to enable that growth, repair and healing to take place.

Sleep and your Circadian Rhythm

As described in the Stress/Cortisol article, your circadian rhythm and therefore sleep cycles can be disrupted by many things (for example, work demands, travel, nutrition, meal timing, sugar).  Without optimal sleep, the body does not produce and benefit from the action of Growth Hormone.

Will the Festivities affect your sleep pattern?

Our health efforts often take a backseat in the priorities of the festive season.  This break from routine may actually bring psychological and physical benefits as we can allow ourselves to relax away from typical stressful and routine-based lives.

The majority of us will experience disrupted sleep patterns.  They may even improve for some of us.  Changes in the pattern and amount of sleep can have very interesting on your energy levels, immune strength, growth and general well-being.  This is not a guilt-trip.  I’m not quite suggesting that you change your plans for the next couple of weeks and get to bed by 10.30pm on 31st December.

Come January reflect on the quality of your sleep.  Over the long term such disruption could cause problems.  If you have problems sleeping or often have interrupted sleep from waking babies or shift work, then your growth hormone may not be able to perform efficiently.  Some small changes could help you:

• Regain those energy levels
• Prevent illness
• Recover from athletic performance
• Enhance training effects

Quick ‘Major Hormone’ Recap

Cortisol, (a stress hormone):  When you experience stress, your body releases cortisol.  The problem that exists today is that stress is acting on us in many ways.  Specific modulation of exercise, nutrition and lifestyle factors controls cortisol to enhance health.

Insulin (blood sugar control):  Obesity, blood sugar and Diabetic problems are well documented in relation to insulin and there are a number of steps from that can normalise the function of insulin and the workings of the pancreas.

Androgens and Oestrogen (sex hormones):  There is a lot of emerging evidence in the link between these hormones and health and disease.  It appears that there are an increasing number of stress related and environmental reasons for disruption (toxins etc).

Thyroid Hormone:  Imbalances can have a major affect on human function (including energy and weight gain).  Medicinal and Functional science has developed significantly to enhance our approach to dealing with excessively fluctuating levels.

The BioSignature Technique and Growth Hormone Profiles

Studying with Charles Poliquin (founder of BioSignature Modulation), taught me that stubborn fat distribution around the knee and calf sites are related to imbalanced Growth Hormone levels.  When you assess your BioSignature you can quickly focus on your priorities for Nutrition, Exercise and Lifestyle, instead of shooting in the dark, or trying a one-size-fits-all approach.

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