Human growth hormone produced by pituitary glands in the human body decreases by 60% when we reach the age of 40 years. The decreasing levels of human growth hormone are visible through various signs of aging such as loss of muscle tone, reduced quality of sleep, increase in body fat, loss of energy and endurance, decrease in sexual energy and increase in body fat.

One of the most important roles of HGH in our body is control of weight. HGH works by increasing the quantity of IGF-1 hormone which is excreted by a person’s liver. IGF-1 in turn prevents the transfer of glucose to fat cells, thus forcing the body burn fat for energy. Basically, human body utilizes all the glucose for generating energy so the energy from their fat remains as it is. Human growth hormone forces your body to use energy from the fat reserves first, which leads in a significant weight loss.

HGH also helps our body to develop new muscle cells and increases the amount of muscle cells in the human body. Additionally, it helps to lose weight and increase muscle density and develop definition.

Human Growth Hormones also result in heightened energy levels and metabolism. Increased metabolism means increased weight loss. Actually, human growth hormone can lose weight without exercise. Thus, Human growth hormone promotes healthy weight gain, increase strength and promotes weight loss.

Certain liver-friendly nutrients and botanicals can be used to periodically cleanse and mildly purge the body of accumulated toxins and potential toxins. This is an ideal way to jump-start a weight management program, revitalize a weight- management program when you are hitting a plateau, jump start a new fitness program, revitalize energy, synergize with a smoking-cessation program and generally feel better.

The liver’s role in detoxification is activated through the coordinated effort of two families of enzymes, known as cytochrome p450s and conjugation enzymes. By activating these enzymes, we can assist the liver in its job to detoxify and excrete toxins from our bodies. Common factors that cause a sluggish liver include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, genetics, chronic stress and aging.

Not only do cytochrome p450s and conjugation enzymes need to be activated but they have to be balanced as well. The enzymes families work together as a team to progressively detoxify the body. The cytochrome p450s actually generate free radicals in order to accomplish their task. Left unchecked, these can become harmful. The conjugation enzymes capture these free radicals, and inactivate them and prepare them for excretion.

The fluid produced by the prostate gland contains significant amounts of glutamic acid. This had led scientists to believe that glutamic acid may play a role in the normal functioning of the prostate. One clinical study found that supplementary glutamic acid significantly improved the symptoms benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). There is some evidence to suggest that glutamic acid may have protective methods on the heart muscle. Results of one study revealed that intravenous injections of glutamic acids (as monosodium glutamate) increased exercise tolerance and heart function in people with stable angina pectoris. However whether a similar effect would be seen with oral glutamic acid is uncertain.

Glutamic acid is generally free of side effects. People with renal or liver disease should consult their doctor before taking supplementary glutamic acid. People who are hypersensitive to monosodium glutamate, that is, those who suffer from “Chinese meal syndrome” Should not take supplementary glutamic acid as it can exacerbate their symptoms. People with liver or kidney disease should consult their doctor before taking supplementary glutamic acid.

The exact cause of acne is still a mystery to scientists. However, changing hormone levels and genetics are known to contribute to the disease:

Rising levels of a class of hormone called androgens can cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and produce more sebum, thus increasing the risk of acne. Fluctuations in hormone levels are also thought to be responsible for the outbreaks of acne. Women may experience two to seven days before their menstrual period, during pregnancy, when starting ro stopping using the contraceptive pill or when they reach menopause.

There is some reason to suggest that acne may be a hereditary condition. Several studies have found that people with close relatives who suffered from acne are significantly more likely to develop the disease.

Some prescription drugs like androgens, lithium, and barbiturates can cause acne, while stress may worsen the condition.

As studies have shown again and again, older people begin to lose certain physical and mental abilities because they are not using them. In fact, scientists believe that the decline in strength and muscular endurance is due more to disuse of neuromuscular system than to aging. Small, gradual decreases in strength take place because of a loss in muscle fiber until about age sixty, when a more marked decline occurs. Yet, elderly people who are put on a program of strength training produce increases in strength, and suffer a loss of strength with age is considered ‘hardly noticeable’.

In not so distant future, machine enhancements in the form of various types of implants any help these individuals to regain nerve impulse continuity.

Repair of damaged brain circuitry is also a key research focus in public, private and university settings. In the fall of 2003, researchers from University of Southern California hope to demonstrate that they can restore the signals responsible for memory in humans. Their current tests, being conducted in a rat model, suggest that their prototype memory-restoring chip will mimic the processing duties of thousands of neurons, serving to complete an otherwise damaged circuit.

The researchers have found that the predictive role of plasma IGF 1 on age related decline in whole body glucose uptake. Thus, plasma IGF-1 concentration may have a modulating role on insulin action in older people. The researchers suggest that IGF-1 administration may be of benefit in insulin sensitivity in older adults.

Healthy centenarians have a preserved insulin action compared with younger individuals. Dr. Barbieri and colleagues from the University of Naples explain that, according to the remodeling theory of age, the preserved insulin action in centenarians might be the net result of the continuous adaptation of the body to the deleterious changes that occur over time. Such adaptive metabolic changes lead a positive health status in aging.

Age                  Beats Per Minute
20                    140-170
25                    137-166
30                    133-166
35                    130-157
40                    126-153
45                    126-153
50                    119-145
55                    116-140
60                    112-136
65                    109-132
70                    105-128

You should aim for raising your heart to its target rate and keeping it there for 15 minutes at a time, for a minimum of about 2 hours a week. In other words your looking for four half-hour sessions of vigorous exercise per week.

However, if you haven’t exercised in a while, plan to working up this ideal rate gradually, over a period of three or four months. To determine your period of vigor, try talking while exercising. If you’re so out of breath that you can’t talk, you’re working too hard. Slow down. And don’t start with half-hour workout sessions—try ten or even five minutes at first—until your stamina increases.

If possible, though, try to exercise at least four times a week, even if for only five minutes at a time. Repeated attempts of exercise will build up your muscles as well as strengthen your heart and lungs. The more often you exercise, the more easily exercise will come to you.

Tribulus terristris is a proven herbal remedy for depression, as harmine, the main active ingredient of the plant, is a very effective monoamine oxidase inhibiter. Many antidepressants used in conventional medicine are MAOIs, which work by gradually increasing levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

High dopamine levels in men are known to stimulate the pituitary gland to release lutenizing hormones, which leads to an increase testosterone levels. As recent studies have suggested that older may benefit from hormone replacement therapy, the herb may be of benefit in this area. High dopamine levels also lead to an increased production of growth hormone, in both men and women.

The sapomine of tribulus terrestris dilates coronary artery and improves coronary circulation, and thus improves EGC related to myocardial ischemia. Furthermore, chronic administration had no adverse reaction on blood system and hepatic and renal functions.

The vasodilatory properties of the herb may take it useful for patients with heart disease, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis.

Tribulus terrestris should not be taken by pregnant women or children or by anyone with psychosis, schizophrenia, or phaeochromocytoma. In addition, it should not be taken in combination with psychoactive medicines, such as tranquillizers, sedatives, stimulants and antidepressants.

Tryptophan is required for the production of vitamin B3 (niacin), which is vital for the brain to manufacture serotonin. Tryptophan is a precursor of the transmitter serotonin, and its ability to boost serotonin levels suggests that it may help to improve mood in people who are low or depressed. Tryptophan may also be of use to people suffering from insomnia, as serotonin is regarded as an effective sleep-inducing agent. Tryptophan also boots the release of growth hormones and helps to suppress the appetite.

Signs and symptoms of tryptophan deficiency include apathy, loss of pigmentation in hair, edema, lethargy, liver damage, muscle loss, fat loss, skin lesions, weakness and slowed growth in children.

Therapeutic doses range from 1.5-6 g per day, depending upon need. Tryptophan is best taken between meals with a low-protein food, for example, bread.

People taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) should be cautious when taking tryptophan as it can increase the risk of central nervous system excitation. People with kidney disease or liver disease should consult their doctor before taking tryptophan.

Modern Ayurvedic medicine has employed velvet bean seed to treat Parkinson’s disease. The brains of Parkinson’s patients are low in the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine can be elevated by administering the drug L-dopa. Research has shown that velvet bean seed grown in culture contains a very high concentration of naturally occurring L-dopa. A Parkinson’s Study Group study reported that Parkinson’s tremor and rigidity were better controlled with a twelve week supplementation of natural L-dopa from velvet bean than by synthetic L-dopa.

As velvet bean is a good source of natural L-dopa it may promote sleep. A number of studies have found that its key chemical constituent, L-dopa, is a natural clock setter. Specifically, L-dopa has been shown to advance the circadian rhythm of sleep. Additionally, some scientists speculate that restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder—a frequent cause of insomnia in older people—is due deficiency of dopamine. This suggests a possible use of velvet bean in these sleep disorders. In addition, Rajyalakshmi and Geervani found that velvet bean has a very high protein content. High-protein food promotes the release of serotonin, which is a critical neurotransmitter necessary for the onset of sleep.

As inositol hexanicotinate is slowly metabolized by the body and releases niacin over a period of time, it generally has the same anti-aging benefits as niacin; however, some research suggests that inositol hexanicotinate is safer and better tolerated.

Niacin it vital for energy release in tissues and cells, as it helps form the coenzymes NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and NADP (nicotinamide adenine denucleotide phosphate), which are involved in the release of energy from food. The vitamin also helps to maintain a healthy nervous and digestive system and is essential for normal growth and for healthy skin. Niacin can also help to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels—some research suggests that inositol hexanicotinate is slightly more effective than niacin in this regard. Niacin also plays a role in the production of bile salts and the synthesis of sex hormones. Some studies have suggested that vitamins may help to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis.

Niacin deficiency can cause the condition pellagra (symptoms include dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia). Other symptoms of deficiency are bright red tongue; sore tongue and gums; inflamed mouth, throat and esophagus; canker sores: metal illness; perceptual changes in the five senses, muscle weakness, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, bad breath, etc.

Estrogen therapy is a popular choice for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Although supplemental calcium, diet, and exercise are also beneficial, they don’t seem to be as effective as estrogen. The most important benefit of estrogen replacement therapy is the reported reduction in coronary artery disease- the leading cause of death in post-menopausal women. Apparently, the high pre menopausal levels of estrogen tend to protect women from heart disease, partly by keeping levels of HDL cholesterol high and LDL cholesterol low.

Without estrogen replacement therapy, w woman’s risk of heart attack becomes equal to a man’s within fifteen years after menopause. Simply being postmenopausal puts a woman at a higher risk for heart disease, and having just one additional risk factor-smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes or family history of heart disease- puts her at an even higher risk, with estrogen, however, the blood vessels dilate slightly, cholesterol balance is maintained, and the risk of heart disease vastly decreases.

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a compound made by the body. Supplemental PS is widely used in Italy, Sacndinavia, and other parts of Europe to treat various forms of age-related dementia as well as normal age-related memory loss.

PS supplements increase the cerebral cortex’s output of the neurotransmitter acetycholine, which is associated with thought, reasoning, and concentration. PS also stimulates the synthesis and release of dopamine. PS also appears to be associated with the brain’s response to stress. Stress response can be determined by measuring blood ACTH levels. ACTH is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland, which in turn promoted the adrenal glands to secrete the stress hormone cortisol.

Polyphenols, particularly the flavonoids, are among the most potent plant antioxidants, and they protect and recycle other antioxidants, such as vitamin E. They are also known to protect against heart disease. One of the ways in which polyphenols protect the heart is by lowering the production of the protein endothelin-1, which causes blood vessels to constrict and reduces the flow of oxygen to the heart. They also chelate metal ions such as iron, lead, and copper. This prevents them from being absorbed by the body where they would promote free-radical generation. The polyphenols present in green tea may promote weight loss.

Fruits and vegetables have significant variations in polyphenol content, depending on the part of the plant used (leaves are the highest), cultivation and harvesting methods, degree of ripeness, storage conditions and so on. A flavonoid intake of about 150-300 mg per day would be obtained from eating the recommended five fruit servings each day.