The Important Role of Growth Hormone

As the name suggests, growth hormone has a very big influence on the growth process. This hormone plays a role in ensuring children grow and develop normally according to their age. However, the function of growth hormone is not just that. Growth hormone is produced naturally by the pituitary gland or the pituitary in the brain. This hormone is produced more at night than during the day. According to research, levels of growth hormone in the body will increase during childhood and reach a peak when entering puberty. After that, the level of this hormone will stabilize in adulthood, then it will decrease when entering middle age.

Growth Hormone Function

As mentioned earlier, growth hormone has a major influence on the growth and development of children. But not only that, this hormone also has many other functions, such as:

• Regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates and fat inside
• Maintaining heart and brain function.
• Maintaining healthy muscles and bones, and body fluid balance.
• Maintaining the flexibility of blood vessels so that blood flow smoothly.
• Strengthen the immune system.

Besides being produced naturally by the body, growth hormones can also be made synthetically. Usually, this synthetic growth hormone is given by doctors to children or adults who suffer from certain diseases or conditions. In children, synthetic growth hormone is used to treat height growth problems due to:

• Growth hormone deficiency.
• Genetic disorders, such as Turner syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome.
• Chronic kidney disease.
• Born with a small or premature body size.

While in adults, synthetic growth hormone can be used to treat:

• Growth hormone deficiency caused by pituitary tumors.
• Short bowel syndrome, a condition when nutrients are not absorbed properly by the body due to severe intestinal disease or surgical removal of most of the small intestine.
• Muscle wasting caused by certain conditions, such as HIV / AIDS.

Danger of Strength and Deficiency of Growth Hormone

Just like other types of hormones, growth hormone can also be produced excessively or even less. These abnormal growth hormone levels can cause various disorders and deformities of the body. The following is the explanation:

Excess growth hormone

Growth hormone levels that are too high in children can cause gigantism, a condition in which the size of a child's bones and body are too large for his age. While in adults, high levels of growth hormone can cause acromegaly. This condition is characterized by the size of the hands, feet, and face that are larger than normal size. This excess growth hormone is mostly caused by tumors in the pituitary gland. However, this condition can also sometimes be caused by tumors in other organs, such as the pancreas, lungs, or brain tumors.

Growth hormone deficiency

Growth hormone deficiency is more commonly experienced by children. This condition can result in stunted growth processes, such as delayed puberty, delayed development of sexual organs, or height below the average of their peers. There are several causes for children experiencing growth hormone deficiency, including:

• Congenital or congenital abnormalities.
• Brain cancer or cancer that inhibits the work of the pituitary gland.
• Severe head injury that damages the work of the pituitary gland.
• Side effects of radiation therapy on the head.

Sometimes, the cause of growth hormone deficiency is not clearly known.

Supports Growth Hormone Function

So that levels of growth hormone in the body are maintained properly, there are several natural ways you can do, namely:

• Reduce your intake of carbohydrates sourced from white rice and cakes. Choose intakes that contain complex carbohydrates, such as nuts, fruit and vegetables.
• Limit your intake of foods or drinks high in sugar.
• Exercise regularly.
• Avoid consuming food at least 2-3 hours before going to bed at night.
• Enough rest time, at least 7-9 hours every night.

Balanced growth hormone levels allow the child to grow and develop normally. In addition, growth hormones will also help the process of metabolism, repair of body cells, and the functioning of body organs running well. If you want to check the growth hormone levels in your body or your child, for example due to body size that is too big or too small, not yet experiencing puberty, or have a medical condition that can affect growth hormone levels, do not hesitate to consult a doctor.