IGF-1 Supplement Benefits and Risks for Men

Is an IGF-1 supplement safe and effective for major mens’ health issues?

Mens’ health supplements traditionally target the key issues men face, especially as they age.

These include the loss of muscle and bone mass over time, and the inability to recover quickly from injury. Sexual health issues such as arousal, ED, and nerve sensitivity also rank highly for targeted male supplementation.

An effective IGF supplement can address all of these concerns, by supporting the building muscle, reinforcing bone, and ramping up sexual power. The main issues which stand in the way of widespread IGF supplementation are legality and the efficacy of pills vs. injections.

Now, new IGF-1 sprays in the form of deer antler extract could provide a viable solution for the health issues men care about most.

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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What are IGF-1 Supplements?

IGF-1 (Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1) is a protein hormone comprised of 70 amino acids.

It binds to the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R), igniting signaling which causes cells to grow.

IGF is created as a by-product of Human Growth Hormone synthesis by the liver. It is used by the body to build and repair muscle, but also may have a role in the growth of some cancers, as well as age-related changes to tissues and organs.

There is much interest in an effective IGF-1 supplement as an antidote to depleted hormone levels that come with aging, and the resulting impact upon muscle development. Recently, Deer Antler Extract has been highlighted as a supplement that boosts IGF-1 levels and that is being widely used among professional sports athletes.

For more background on why people buy IGF-1, explore this article.

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is another hormone which is specific to the growth and stimulation of male secondary sexual characteristics. It is an androgen, which is a natural steroid produced by the body. It is involved in development of male reproductive function, as well as body hair, sperm production, and sex drive. Women also produce low levels of testosterone. Taking an IGF-1 supplement will not impact testosterone levels.

What is HGH? Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. It regulates metabolism of sugars, signals cell growth in muscles, and plays a crucial role in childhood growth spurts. The substance is synthesized by the liver into IGF-1.

An IGF-1 supplement can mimic the effects of healthy HGH levels by triggering similar cell growth reactions. You can read more about the relationship of IGF-1 to Human Growth Hormone in this fact sheet.

IGF-1 Supplement vs. Steroids

There are some who mistakenly believe that IGF-1 supplements are a form of illegal steroid. Anabolic steroids, in the context of bodybuilding, are lab-produced synthetic hormones, intended to provide testosterone and/or HGH simulated support.

When injected directly into muscle, steroids can have a dramatic effect, causing rapid muscle growth and accelerated metabolism. They also come with serious side effects risks, such as:

• Irregular growth of organs and secondary sexual characteristics
• Cancers and tumors
• Mental issues – depression and dependency
• Sexual risks – reproductive problems, sterility, ED

An IGF-1 supplement is generally thought of as having equivalent side effects if it is synthetic. When injected, this material can cause negative reactions such as those listed above. However, naturally produced IGF-1, either from the body or from an animal source, seems to be much easier to tolerate.

IGF-1 Supplement Recent Studies

Pro: The New Zealand Medical Journal recently posted findings supporting IGF-1’s role in healthy bone support. Natural IGF-1 supplements improved bone density for patients with osteoarthritis.

Similar studies supporting IGF’s role in muscle development are harder to come by and results are generally anecdotal. A test by CNBC determined that weightlifters who supplemented with IGF had significant muscle gains over those who hadn’t.

Con: Endocrinologists at Johns Hopkins Medical Center have cautioned that no matter what value a IGF-1 supplement has, it is useless if the delivery method is not viable. IGF-1, like all growth factor hormones, is famously hard to supplement due to the fragility of the compounds. They are typically destroyed during digestion, and cannot be taken as pills.

For a summary of how IGF pills fail to deliver results, click here.

Deer Antler Extracts and IGF-1

As of now, the only established way to consume an IGF-1 supplement is via mouth sprays made from deer antler extract. The growth factor, which is naturally found in a velvet-like coating of growing deer antlers, is identical to compounds generated in the human body when Human Growth Hormone from the pituitary gland is processed by the liver.

Used for centuries as a holistic medicinal, commercial deer antler sprays are now all the rage in bodybuilding communities.

Legality – While IGF-1 is prescription only, deer antler sprays can be purchased and consumed legally with no prescription necessary.

Efficacy of sprays – IGF-1 cannot be taken as a pill because digestive processes will destroy the bioactive components. However, spray forms of IGF can be dropped under the tongue and absorbed directly into the blood stream for maximum efficacy.

Results cycles – Deer antler sprays will start to manifest noticeable IGF-1 effects, such as increased lean muscle mass and recovery from bone and muscle injuries, within 3 – 5 weeks of regular use.

In previous decades, an IGF-1 supplement via doctor-prescribed injection was the only way to receive the advanced muscle and bone support of this human growth factor. Now, organic sprays derived from the growing antlers of deer offer a simple way to legally and safely supplement the compound.

Working harmoniously with HGH and testosterone, the IGF in deer antler velvet extracts can be a valuable weapon in every man’s health and fitness arsenal. For a reference guide for how to choose a good antler supplement, browse this article.

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