Within the last twenty years, ecommerce sites such as Amazon, eBay, and lesser-known others have edged their way into the healthcare market. Vendors on these platforms sell supplements, bioactive additives, and alternative “homeopathic” healthcare remedies. In this article, we will focus on the various HGH products sold on these platforms, their benefits and risks, and what you need to know to protect your wallet and your health when you are using these sites to look for HGH and similar types of supplements.
The definition of Human growth hormone?
Recombinant human growth hormone (rHGH or simply HGH), also known as somatropin, is a synthetic version of the naturally-occurring anabolic growth hormone that is normally produced by the pituitary gland. It is part of the network called the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis). HGH, paired with insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), plays a number of several critical roles in the body such as:
- Body composition regulation.
- Fat burning (metabolism).
- Muscle and tissue building (anabolism).
- Mood regulation.
- Strengthening bones.
- Boosting energy levels.
- Cardiovascular (heart) health.
What Is Growth Hormone Deficiency and How Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Help?
If the pituitary does not produce an adequate supply of growth hormone, a condition called hypothyroidism develops, characterized by a number of symptoms such as:
- Chronic fatigue.
- Insomnia.
- Reduced sex drive.
- Muscle loss.
- Low libido.
- Anxiety and/or depression.
For individuals who experience a growth hormone deficiency (GHD), hormone replacement therapy (HRT) using synthetic growth hormone can help them recover a high quality of life. In these cases, therapy has been shown to safely and effectively improve every symptom associated with a deficiency:
Unfortunately, not all Growth hormone products sold on e-commerce sites deliver the results they promise to. Some are even outright fake. Have a look at the chart below that shows the extent of the issue with fake or substandard drugs. using data gathered by the World Health Organization.
As you can see, “medicines” sourced from abroad are likely to be fake or adulterated. When you read the fine print, you will discover that many of the HGH supplements sold on Amazon and eBay are sourced from these regions.
The Types of HGH Products You Will Find on Amazon
The scourge of fake and low-quality supplements is especially rampant on the web due to the unregulated nature of e-commerce. Marketers can promote their questionable products with professional-looking websites and HD graphics, potentially tricking customers into purchasing low-quality supplements such as so-called “HGH” supplements that do not contain a usable form of HGH and do work.
Here is a sampling of the typical hGH products available on Amazon.
Sports Nutrition (L-Arginine and Other Amino Acids)
Amino acids are important precursor materials for the formation of endogenous HGH. Evidence shows that these supplements increase HGH temporarily, especially during exercise. However, there are two main issues with l-arginine for increasing HGH. The first essential issue for anyone with a growth hormone deficiency is that these increases are only temporary – it is not possible to take enough l-arginine to correct a deficiency long-term.
A second important concern is that long-term overuse of l-arginine carries several health risks such as deteriorated kidney function. Lastly, some pre-existing conditions may affect the body’s ability to synthesize HGH out of amino acids, rendering amino acid supplements insufficient for this purpose. Correcting deficiencies in other ways is required.
Performance-enhancing amino acid supplements are not approved or vetted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical use in hormone replacement therapy.
Cosmetic and Beauty Products With Human Growth Factor (HGF)
The cosmetics industry generates billions of dollars in revenue each year. Men and women spend heavily on products sold over the web to improve their appearance. Face lotions, creams, and serums that purport to soften, smooth, and/or revitalize skin to look younger are featured prominently on Amazon.
Growth factors are signaling proteins that are involved in spurring cell proliferation and cell differentiation They are theorized to work as cosmetics by boosting collagen production when applied topically. The clinical evidence on the extent to which human growth factor makes skin more youthful is sparse.
Some studies suggest that topical solutions containing HGF may reduce wrinkles and brighten skin, but the jury is still out because the physiological mechanism to explain how HGF might accomplish this remains unknown. Furthermore, such studies usually involve multiple other compounds such as hyaluronic acid, retinol, and alpha-hydroxy acids.
The most important thing to remember, though, is that despite similar-sounding names, growth factors are not the same thing as human growth hormone. In no way can topically-applied human growth factors improve circulating blood supplies of HGH.
Blended Vitamin and Mineral HGH Supplements for Kids
Several companies produce “growth pills” for sale on Amazon and other platforms. The manufacturers, who market these products for sale to children and their parents, claim that these growth pills “are a safe and natural way to quickly and permanently increase your height.” They go on to say that these products are formulated with “100% safe and natural ingredients,” although they never list what those ingredients are.
No publicly available research backs up the claims of STAND TALL or other growth pills. These supplements are not approved or vetted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Children who are potentially experiencing growth hormone deficiency and their parents should seek care from a licensed endocrinologist (hormone doctor).
The Types of HGH Products You Will Find on eBay
eBay, next to Amazon, is another major hub for commercial HGH products. Here are the products you can expect to encounter when perusing eBay.
Anti-Aging and Weight-Loss Sprays and Other Topical Solutions
eBay is full of products that allege to increase HGH with “homeopathic” blends with sublingual sprays (for administration under the tongue). ProBLEN Original-HGH, among other beneficial activities associated with higher HGH levels, claims to:
- Strengthen the immune system.
- Boost mood.
- Improve energy levels.
- Build muscle.
- Improve mental alertness.
The producers of ProBLEN Original-HGH claim that their product is an “over-the-counter strength, easy-to-use spray that is naturally safe with no side effects. This proven formula has been around for more than 15 years and its effectiveness is backed by an independent clinical study.”
According to the manufacturer, ProBLEN contains the following active ingredients:
- “Human Growth Hormone: 30X”
- “Pituitary Extract: 30X”
- “Liver Extract: 6X”
No publicly available studies can be found to prove or disprove ProBLEN’s safety or its effectiveness.
Oral HGH Supplements
Unregulated products marketed as “HGH” oral supplements in pill or powder form often contain some combination of a variety of common ingredients such as:
- Amino acids.
- Zinc
- Magnesium.
- Vitamin B6.
- Fenugreek seed extract.
- Salts of amino acids such as arginine alpha-ketoglutarate.
- Resveratrol.
- Unknown ingredients.
Many of the compounds and nutrients found in oral supplements marketed as “HGH boosters” — such as magnesium and resveratrol — carry potential health benefits that might warrant their use in supplementation. But they do not sustainably restore human growth hormone levels in individuals who have deficiencies; only clinically-administered hormone replacement therapy can accomplish that.
How to Safely and Effectively Boost HGH Levels the Right Way
The proven benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for safely and effectively elevating HGH levels in the long term cannot be emphasized enough. HRT with HGH is the only science-backed method for achieving long-term gains in circulating HGH levels.
The steps to recovering your hormone health effectively include:
- Schedule an appointment to visit a licensed endocrinologist either in-person or via the web.
- The doctor performs a physical examination, asks questions regarding symptoms and medical history, and orders blood tests when appropriate to clinically determine the presence of growth hormone deficiency (GHD).
- The patient visits a local lab to submit a blood sample.
- The lab reports the findings to the doctor.
- The doctor prescribes an appropriate HRT regimen and therapy begins.
- Within a month, patients begin to notice substantial improvements in their quality of life, including looking and feeling younger, higher energy levels, restored sexual libido, and improved athletic performance.
The Final Word on HGH Supplies from Amazon and eBay
eCommerce sites are not ideal places to source your HGH supplies. Often, the products are not tested, the manufacturers are not licensed to sell these products as medicines, and they are often fake or substandard. HRT performed by a medical professional is the only safe and effective means to elevate HGH levels. Contact an experienced provider today for an initial consultation to get started.
Relying on the guidance of a professional, take the time to explore your options, and make the right choice to achieve the health gains that result from optimized levels of HGH. A safe and full recovery is possible.