Expected IGF-1 Results and Muscle Gains for Athletes

What are the typical results that you can expect when taking IGF-1 as a bodybuilding supplement? Using growth factor supplements has been a matter of controversy for many decades.

Even though the protein is a naturally product of human growth and muscle repair, its use has been tightly controlled and even banned in most major sports. These bans are due to how well IGF-1, which stands for Insulin-Like Growth factor, works.

The muscle gains and fast recovery which athletes experience is thought to create an unfair advantage. IGF-1 results can be so dramatic that addiction to it is common in many pro sports.

Still, the medical application of the compound continues to be an important field of research and there are side effects that need to be weighed. In light of the popularization of IGF-1 supplements like deer antler velvet, a few new studies have been published describing the effects that users can expect. We’ll examine them below.

IGF-1

Bodybuilding Supplement

Bodybuilding

Joint Health

Sexual Health

How It Works:

• Involved in muscle protein synthesis
• Supports joint health & functionality
• May aid sexual function & anti-aging

Dosage:

Varies depending on formulation.

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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How Do IGF-1 Supplements Work?

IGF-1 is a growth factor protein which naturally causes an increase in the size and amount of muscle tissue, connective tissues, and bone fiber.

Its presence triggers IGF-1 receptors which instruct cells to divide and grow. IGF-1 also has a stimulating effect upon contractile muscle called myosin. It is typically used for one of these reasons:

• For acute injury and repairing muscle damage
• For general muscle growth when working out
• For sexual health and relief from ED
• For musculoskeletal support of degenerative conditions
• For correcting hormone imbalances in growth-challenged children

IGF-1 Results in New Scientific Studies

IGF-1 and Protein – A 2104 paper published in Cell Metabolism journal found that eating low amounts of protein resulted in a decrease in IGF-1 levels. This can lead to an increase in age-related diseases and mortality from cancer. The study illustrates the importance of maintaining good IGF-1 levels.

IGF-1 and Bone Health – A 2014 paper published by The International Journal of Endocrinology found that IGF-1 supplements greatly accelerated the healing of bone fractures, “significantly increasing bone resorption and bone formation.”

IGF-1 and Cancer Risks – A Harvard University white paper has found that IGF-1 can contribute to an increase in the occurrence of colorectal cancer. In studies performed on both men and women who were given Growth Hormone in order to increase IGF-1 levels, subjects were 2.5 more likely to develop the cancers. The same studies found that IGF-1 did indeed increase muscle mass, improve bone density, and accelerate fat loss.

Controversy about IGF-1 Supplements

Much of the debate around IGF-1 results like those cited above has to do with cancers and tumors. When supplemented in large amounts, any growth factor can create excessive cell division and mutation. This is the origin of tumors. It becomes essential then to understand what healthy and balanced levels of IGF-1 are for every individual, and to dose accordingly.

In the marketplace, many bodybuilding enthusiasts start taking IGF-1 indiscriminately and overuse is a major concern. This is the main reason that IGF-1 is regulated in injectable form.

A different controversy surrounds IGF-1 results in pro sports. Concerns about side effects are compounded with ethical issues regarding the use of performance enhancing drugs. IGF-1 supplements are considered so effective that give users an unfair advantage over non-users and may violate the tenets of good sportsmanship. For this reason, many major sporting leagues and the World Anti-Doping Agency have issued bans on IGF-1 injections.

IGF-1 Results – Fact vs. Fiction

Many casual sports enthusiasts and bodybuilders wish to get IGF-1 results on a smaller scale, without the risks of side effects and illegality. It is possible to supplement this compound without breaking any laws or risking severe side effects.

The solution is a sublingual deer antler extract IGF-1 spray. These sprays have become incredible popular in bodybuilding communities due to their ease of use and ease of purchase. A simple spray under the tongue once a day is thought to produce similar effects as more hardcore injections of growth hormones.

While studies are still determining the long term effects of IGF-1 supplementation, for better and for worse, antler extract sprays continue to gain popularity as viable muscle support supplements. The added benefits of heightened endurance and increased sexual vitality make it an attractive – and legal – purchase for many men. For full details about how these sprays work and why athletes use them click here.

Overall, IGF-1 results from currently available studies indicate that this growth factor has outstanding potential for bone and muscle support. However, it still comes with some risk of unwanted tissue growth and cancers.

The jury is still out on consumer products like deer antler extract sprays – while many pro athletes swear by these sprays to give them a competitive edge, additional research must still be done to fully quantify all of the benefits and risks.

Early results are indeed promising. Casual users are encouraged to stick to these legal forms of IGF-1 and avoid any illicit use of the hormone.

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