{"id":6834,"date":"2025-11-21T11:22:10","date_gmt":"2025-11-21T10:22:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biohormone.aretis-staging.ch\/?p=6834"},"modified":"2026-01-28T10:00:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T09:00:08","slug":"hgf-human-growth-factor-and-better-aging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biohormontherapie.ch\/en\/hgf-human-growth-factor-and-better-aging\/","title":{"rendered":"HGF (Human Growth Factor) and Better Aging"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>What is HGF?<\/h3>\n<p>HGF, also known as Human Growth Factor, is often used synonymously with HGH (Human Growth Hormone), somatotropin or somatropin (recombined form). It is an anabolic peptide hormone that is mainly released at night. It is a central growth hormone that is mainly released at night. It stimulates cell regeneration, fat burning, muscle building and skin renewal via IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1). In longevity medicine, it is considered one of the most important key factors for healthy ageing processes and is part of holistic anti-ageing measures and modern endocrine therapy concepts.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Why does HGF fall from 30?<\/h3>\n<p>The body's own production of HGF\/HGH decreases significantly from the age of 30:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>At 40, often only 40 % of the original quantity can still be measured.<\/li>\n<li>From 60: partly under 20 %.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Causes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Natural ageing of the pituitary gland (HGH source)<\/li>\n<li>Lack of sleep, stress, chronically elevated blood sugar (insulin!)<\/li>\n<li>Lack of exercise and protein deficiency<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Symptoms &amp; risk of deficiency<\/h3>\n<p>An HGF\/HGH deficiency can manifest itself in many different ways:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Muscle loss &amp; fat gain (especially visceral fat)<\/li>\n<li>Skin ageing, slower wound healing<\/li>\n<li>Sleep disorders, mental exhaustion<\/li>\n<li>Loss of libido &amp; hormonal imbalance<\/li>\n<li>Weakening of the immune system and bone structure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Natural boosters: training, sleep, nutrition<\/h3>\n<p>Strength training:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>2-3x\/week intensive strength training increases HGH by up to 300 %, which benefits both muscle hypertrophy and mitochondrial regeneration.<\/li>\n<li>Particularly effective: basic exercises such as squats, deadlifts and press-ups<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Endurance &amp; interval training:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cardio improves insulin sensitivity<\/li>\n<li>HIIT units activate the HGH axis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Sleep &amp; fasting:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Supports the hypothalamic-pituitary-somatotropic axis for healthy hormone regulation.<\/li>\n<li>Deep sleep (especially phase 3\/4) is the main time of HGH release<\/li>\n<li>Intermittent fasting lowers insulin and significantly promotes HGH production<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>High protein diet:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>1.2-1.5 g protein\/kg body weight<\/li>\n<li>High quality sources: Fish, eggs, whey protein, pulses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Quote from Dr. Bernhardt: <i>\u201cMuscle stimulation in combination with protein intake is a key to natural HGF activation\u201d.<\/i><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Medical substitution - indication &amp; dosage<\/h3>\n<p><i>Note: Substitution with recombinant HGH or somatropin may only be carried out under medical supervision and is not a lifestyle preparation.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>HGF or HGH substitution is carried out using recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH). It is administered subcutaneously (preferably in the evening before going to bed).<\/p>\n<p>Indication:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Laboratory-confirmed deficiency (IGF-1 in the lower reference range or lower)<\/li>\n<li>Clinic: chronic fatigue, sarcopenia (in old age), sleep disorder, hormonal imbalance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Dosage:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Women: 0.2-0.4 mg\/day<\/li>\n<li>Men: 0.3-0.6 (strength training: 1mg)\/day<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Goal: IGF-1 in the upper reference range of a 40-year-old<\/p>\n<p>Important:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Only under medical supervision<\/li>\n<li>Regular blood count, metabolism and hormone checks<\/li>\n<li>No self-medication or \u201eanti-ageing kits\u201c<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Quote from Dr. Bernhardt: <i>\u201cGrowth hormones are not lifestyle products. Their use requires medical expertise and experience\u201d.<\/i><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>FAQs on HGH &amp; IGF-1<\/h3>\n<dl>\n<dd>- Is HGH legal?<\/dd>\n<dt>Yes, permitted on prescription if medically indicated.<\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n<dl>\n<dd>- Are there any side effects?<\/dd>\n<dt>Possible in case of overdose: edema, carpal tunnel syndrome, insulin resistance, joint pain.<\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n<dl>\n<dd>- What does therapy cost?<\/dd>\n<dt>The costs may vary in Switzerland, Germany and Austria.<br \/>\nBetween CHF 100 and 500 per month. Additional laboratory costs and laboratory checks.<\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n<dl>\n<dd>- Is HGF the same as IGF-1?<\/dd>\n<dt>Not quite. HGH stimulates the liver to produce IGF-1. IGF-1 is the actual growth trigger.<\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n<dl>\n<dd>- How quickly does a substitution work?<\/dd>\n<dt>Individual. First effects often after 4-6 weeks: better sleep, energy, muscle tone and mass.<\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biohormontherapie.ch\/en\/contact\/\"><strong>Arrange a free consultation now<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Further reading<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"small-text\">\n<li>Giustina A. et al. (2008): Growth hormone and aging. Endocr Rev 29(5), 535-560.<\/li>\n<li>Corpas E. et al (1993): GH replacement in elderly men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 76(2), 358-363.<\/li>\n<li>Bernhardt A. (2023): <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biohormontherapie.ch\/en\/better-aging-longevity\/\">Better Aging<\/a> begins in the cell, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wechselweise.net\/autor\/andreas-bernhardt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.wechselweise.net<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Bernhardt A. (2024): Protein and progression: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biohormontherapie.ch\/en\/protein-the-underestimated-key-to-strength-health-and-mental-fitness-in-old-age\/\">The better medicine for sarcopenia<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/firebasestorage.googleapis.com\/v0\/b\/gzk1bd.appspot.com\/o\/files%2FHGH_Leitfaden_GZKapf_final.pdf?alt=media&amp;token=5d0f6080-78a9-4132-9e93-c0fefd0122a0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Get our free PDF guide<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p><i>This article is for information purposes only. Do not self-medicate. Therapy only under medical supervision.<\/i><\/p>\n<p class=\"small-text\"><strong>About Dr. med. Andreas Bernhardt:<\/strong><br \/>\nDr. Bernhardt is a specialist in general internal medicine with international training in endocrinology and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biohormontherapie.ch\/en\/better-aging-longevity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Better Aging<\/a>. He is a member of the Swiss Anti-Aging Society (SSAAMP) and the renowned Endocrine Society (Washington, D.C.). His focus is on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biohormontherapie.ch\/en\/biohormones\/bioidentical-hormone-therapy\/\">bioidentical hormone therapy<\/a> as part of a holistic longevity concept. As an expert on the German-speaking platform <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wechselweise.net\/autor\/andreas-bernhardt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">wechselweise.net<\/a> he is committed to raising awareness in the DACH region about hormonal changes in men and women during the menopause - with the aim of promoting health and quality of life in the long term.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Was ist HGF? HGF, auch bekannt als Human Growth Factor, wird oft synonym verwendet mit HGH (Human Growth Hormone), Somatotropin oder Somatropin (rekombinierte Form). Es handelt sich um ein anaboles Peptidhormon, das vor allem nachts ausgesch\u00fcttet wird. Es ist ein zentrales Wachstumshormon, das vor allem nachts ausgesch\u00fcttet wird. Es stimuliert \u00fcber IGF-1 (Insulin- like Growth [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"Human Growth Factor (HGF) - ein zentrales Wachstumshormon","_seopress_titles_desc":"HGF, auch bekannt als Human Growth Factor, wird oft synonym verwendet mit HGH (Human Growth Hormone), Somatotropin oder Somatropin (rekombinierte Form).","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-6834","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biohormontherapie.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6834","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biohormontherapie.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biohormontherapie.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biohormontherapie.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biohormontherapie.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6834"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.biohormontherapie.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6834\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8751,"href":"https:\/\/www.biohormontherapie.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6834\/revisions\/8751"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biohormontherapie.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6834"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biohormontherapie.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6834"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biohormontherapie.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6834"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biohormontherapie.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=6834"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}