Growth hormone (GH) - you may well have heard of this, maybe for good and maybe for bad as it's often a hormone that is abused by bodybuilders.
But, it's naturally produced by your body and results in some amazing health benefits.
So why is this hormone so sought after?
Well, it's considered to be the fountain of youth.
Plus it has a role in:
- Improves your metabolism (burn more calories)
- Improves blood sugar levels
- Helps to gain/maintain healthy muscle
- Improves how our bodies collect fat around the middle
- Aids healthy cholesterol
- Improves bone density
- Is needed for healthy brain function.
Low levels of GH result in:
- Increased body fat
- Increased risk of heart attack
- Weak heart, muscles and bones
- Reduced feeling of wellbeing
So you can see it's pretty vital in 'healthy' longevity and quality of life.
Now you can see why having more would keep you younger as you age.
Our bodies release GH in an area at the base of the brain called the pituitary gland and as we age the amount reduces.
We are drip fed GH throughout the day but a big release occurs when we sleep.
Good quality sleep is vitally important and something we have discussed in previous emails but if you need some help please reach out to us and we can help.
The important thing to note though is that there is a big release 1-2 hrs into your first sleep cycle. This shows that regular sleep times are vital to you receiving this big releaseof GH and not missing out.
If you go to bed 1-2 hrs later than your normal bed time your body doesn't delay things and release GH 1-2hrs into your sleep...you just MISS OUT.
There are a complicated sequence of events that occur for this release to happen and are triggered earlier in the evening as your body knows its becoming night time. (another reason to have low lights and to be outdoors when the sun is setting)
So the takeaway from this email is that regular sleep times are just as important as sleep quality and duration in receiving this vital hormone release that aids longevity and health.
Other ways to improve your GH levels:
- Avoid food 2hrs before bedtime
- Perform resistance training
- Avoid processed sugars
- Eat adequate amounts of protein
- Lose fat - maintain a lower body fat percentage
The above are things that you should be doing on a regular basis to help maintain a healthy body and immune system but getting regular sleep and wake times are ESSENTIAL for many reasons but the big release of GH is the one you don't want to miss out on.
The Team at Club One Hundred