Buying growth hormones
Growth hormones are only available on prescription in Germany. Growth hormones are also on the doping list. The purchase of preparations that cause the growth of the body is therefore illegal and will be prosecuted.
As with other muscle-building substances, it is not uncommon for the illegally acquired substances to be produced in so-called underground laboratories and thus either be ineffective or have even stronger side effects. The price for so-called “cures”, i.e. the income from certain dosages of mostly illegal substances over a longer period of time, amounts to five-digit sums. Only in the case of certain findings are health insurance companies prepared to cover part of the costs.
These substances should always be purchased by a reputable doctor and after a thorough physical examination. The doctor will only prescribe these hormones if a corresponding diagnosis is available. However, misuse of growth hormones is often observed in various sports. This is called doping – a topic that will be discussed in more detail in one of the next sections.
Bodybuilding
Many of the athletes who are at the forefront of world bodybuilding, competing against each other for the most impressive Adonis body in competitions such as “Mister Olympia”, have used growth hormones in the past.This type of support is especially attractive in bodybuilding, because the fat reducing and at the same time muscle building effect allows the athletes and the jury at competitions to show an aesthetic and defined body, which in most cases would probably never be achieved by many athletes without these means. But instead of pointing a finger at certain doping sinners of the past decade, there are enough positive examples in bodybuilding to show that growth hormone levels can also be increased by a healthier lifestyle.
Natural stimulation of growth hormone levels
As a strength athlete, a balanced diet that covers the macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and fats) in a sensible ratio to each other is the basis for a healthy hormone balance. Since the building blocks of proteins are amino acids and we have learned that the polypeptide somatotropin is made up of these same building blocks, a connection between a sensible and healthy diet and the output of growth hormones is obvious. Furthermore, micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals can contribute to an increased output of growth hormone.
Muscle training and sport in general also have a positive effect on the well-being and growth hormone levels. In some test persons, it was even found that alcohol significantly lowers HGH (human growth hormone) levels and is therefore counterproductive for muscle growth and development. At this point, it should be noted that the intake of synthetic growth hormone is in no case recommended for a fit and vital person for health reasons, whereas a natural increase in HGH levels through a varied diet is a desirable goal for people who want to remain healthy in old age.
