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Are you torn between choosing steroids and human growth hormone (HGH) to help with your health goals?
HGH is not a steroid but it does have anabolic properties. When it comes to steroids vs HGH, you probably want to know the facts about why human growth hormone is a better choice than steroids for health and fitness. It’s important to understand what each of these powerful drugs is as well as their potential side effects before making a decision.
When you choose human growth hormone, you reduce the risks that come from taking steroids. These risks can include liver damage and heart problems. HGH allows you to enjoy all the benefits, like improved sports performance, stronger bones, increased muscle mass, and better sleep quality.
In this article, the team from HGH Vallarta Clinic tells you everything you need to know about the difference between HGH and steroids. Read on so that you can make an informed decision about which is better for your health.
What Does Anabolic Mean?
Anabolism is when the body takes energy released by breaking down molecules and uses it to make more complicated molecules. Metabolism involves the breakdown of molecules for the release of energy and the building of new molecules.
What Are Steroids?
Synthetic hormones called steroids are produced in the laboratory to activate a range of bodily functions. These molecules can have powerful effects on the body, both positive and negative, depending on how they are used.
Anabolic steroids and corticosteroids are the two main types of steroids used in the United States.
Anabolic steroids are synthetic molecules that are designed to mimic testosterone, the male hormone responsible for muscle growth, strength, and other physical characteristics. They are generally used by athletes to enhance performance and body image.
Corticosteroids, on the other hand, are hormones produced by the adrenal gland which work to reduce inflammation and regulate cell activity.
While both have legitimate medical uses, they can also have devastating side effects if not taken properly.
Two Types of Steroids
Steroids are synthetic hormones that mimic the effects of hormones naturally produced by the body.
There are two types of steroids – anabolic steroids, which are designed to help athletes improve their performance, and corticosteroids, which are used to reduce inflammation and other medical conditions.
Anabolic steroids are often abused for non-medical reasons, as they can have significant side effects.
Corticosteroids, on the other hand, are prescribed for medical conditions such as asthma and arthritis. When used properly and under a doctor’s supervision, corticosteroids can be beneficial in treating diseases.
Problems With Steroids
Corticosteroids are prescribed by doctors for legitimate medical reasons and are legal, whereas anabolic steroids have no approved medical use, and their possession and distribution are done without medical authorization.
Injecting steroids intermuscularly carries several health risks, including serious side effects, along with its potential for muscle growth.
- Increased risk of heart attack
- Higher risk of stroke
- Hypogonadism (shrinking of testicles)
- Lower sperm count
- Aggression
- Acne outbreaks
- Baldness
- High cholesterol
- Increased risk of tumors
What Is HGH?
The pituitary gland produces human growth hormone (GH or HGH), which is released in bursts while sleeping, and plays an important role in health throughout life, from childhood into adulthood.
The pituitary gland is part of an important system called the HPA axis. This system helps the body handle stress.
HGH works together with insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a hormone created by the liver, to control certain activities related to growth, such as:
- Production of more lean muscle mass
- Controlling metabolic responses such as blood sugar levels
- Helps to regulate mental health
- Improved bone density
Several conditions can lead to a deficiency in growth hormone levels, which require clinical intervention and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
These issues may arise from an inadequate diet and/or lifestyle, which impacts the pituitary gland’s ability to produce HGH. Additionally, cancerous tumors located either directly on the gland or in its surrounding areas may impair its secretion of hormonal agents.
Supplementation with somatropin, also known as synthetic recombinant human growth hormone (HGH), is often used to restore an imbalance in HGH levels when the deficiency is due to certain conditions.
This synthetic medicine mimics the naturally occurring hormone created by the body and can improve symptoms associated with a decreased secretion of growth hormones.
Is HGH a Steroid?
No, human growth hormone (HGH) is not a steroid.
HGH is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the body’s pituitary gland, which helps to regulate growth, metabolism, and blood sugar levels.
HGH Does Not Have a Steroid Structure
HGH is a single-chain polypeptide made of 191 amino acids, which gives it a protein structure. It is classified as a peptide and does not share any characteristics with steroids. Steroid hormones are composed of 4 rings of 17 carbon atoms, similar to cholesterol, and they are all produced from it.
The Pituitary Gland Naturally Secretes HGH
HGH is a hormone naturally produced by the pituitary gland in healthy individuals. Its secretion follows a regular pattern, which means that there are several daily peaks and declines in serum growth hormone levels.
The pituitary gland does not produce steroid hormones. Instead, the adrenal glands, testes in men, and ovaries in women are responsible for producing them. Generally, they follow a natural daily or monthly pattern.
Anabolic steroids do not occur naturally in the human body. They resemble hormones such as testosterone that are produced by the body. They can be altered to enhance their dynamics.
Steroids vs HGH
Other than being dissimilar in nature and structure, there are considerable differences. This ranges from effects, safety, cost, and medical applications between HGH and steroids.
1. HGH Is Classed as a Form of Medication
To ensure consistent dosage, taking Human Growth Hormone (HGH) requires shots administered daily. This method is the preferred delivery system since the peptide composition of HGH does not permeate through the skin efficiently. It also breaks down swiftly in stomach acid.
On the contrary, steroids can be ingested as pills, shots, and gels.
2. Legality
You can legally acquire HGH with a prescription to address different conditions.
In contrast, the majority of steroids are not authorized for use in humans. The exception is for testosterone esters, which can be used to treat symptoms of low testosterone in the body and have been prescribed by a medical professional.
3. Price
The price of legal HGH injections, compared to most Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS) is higher. This is because pharmaceutical companies employ rigorous quality control standards for the manufacture of HGH medications. The majority of steroids are produced by illegal labs with no monitoring of quality.
4. Effects on the body
Steroids have the potential to significantly improve muscle mass, build strength and enhance fat loss. However, to achieve this, you’ll often have to take higher doses which can come with severe side effects.
In comparison, the Human Growth Hormone has much milder effects for fat burning and muscle building. Its primary purpose is to treat the symptoms of growth hormone deficiency rather than to showcase specific changes in appearance, aesthetics, or performance. It has fewer side effects compared to steroids.
5. Potential Side effects
The side effects of steroids and HGH are also markedly different. Like with taking anything in excess, there can be implications.
Taking excessive amounts of HGH can result in water retention, insulin resistance, and even type 2 diabetes among those prone to the condition.
Conversely, steroids can have even more severe adverse reactions. This can include testicular shrinkage, infertility, abnormal breast enlargement in men, and a wide range of other problems. In certain cases, these side effects may be life-threatening, including fatal cardiovascular and liver complications.
In addition, approximately 30% of those who abuse anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) fall prey to psychological addiction. Stopping the use of steroids abruptly can lead to withdrawal symptoms.
As a result, many users continue to take these drugs even after suffering some of the adverse effects we mentioned above. Human growth hormone medications do not involve a risk of addiction.
Why Is HGH the Better Choice for Health and Fitness?
Human growth hormone has become one of the most popular and sought-after solutions for health and fitness.
Not only is it a safer option compared to anabolic androgenic steroids, but HGH also offers several advantages, such as fewer health implications and no addiction issues.
Can You Take HGH With Steroids?
Yes, but only if it’s necessary.
Combining HGH and AAS may further intensify your anabolic and fat-burning properties. Taking both together could potentially bring greater increases in muscle and strength.
It is important to remember that if you plan on misusing HGH and steroids, any benefits you may derive will be offset by the combined side effects. HGH does not diminish or negate the side effects associated with steroid abuse, nor vice versa.
Thinking of Using HGH?
It’s clear who the real winner is when it comes to steroids vs HGH. Human Growth Hormone is the best choice for both health and fitness, as it carries fewer risks than steroids. Not only is there a lower risk of addiction with HGH medications, but also far fewer side effects to contend with when using them correctly.
If you’re thinking of using HGH, visit us at HGH Vallarta Clinic. Our experienced staff can help you get started today on your journey toward improved physical well-being. Speak to our team about how we can help provide you with the best quality human growth hormone treatments.
