1. What Is HGH and What Does It Do?      [Back to Top]
DR. GIAMPAPA: Human growth hormone (HGH) is a complex polypeptide hormone consisting of 191 amino acids. It is made in the anterior pituitary gland (the master gland located in the center of the brain) and stimulates the release of another hormone called IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) by the liver. HGH and IGF-1 influence the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids in the body, promote tissue growth and regeneration, regulate the secretion of other hormones and enhance immune functions. All of these physiological functions have an impact on the muscles, skin, kidneys, brain and other organs, and in turn, improve healing, physical and mental health, bone strength, energy and metabolism.

Everyone naturally secretes HGH in their bodies from birth with levels reaching their peak in the body during adolescence, which then slowly decreases with age. As we get older, HGH continues to diminish to the point where the body makes a small fraction of what it did at the age of 20. This deprives the body of what it needs for tissue, bone and muscle regeneration. This depletion of HGH is soon recognized by the familiar signs of aging, such as increased body fat, lack of vitality and energy, decreased muscle mass, wrinkling of the skin, poor immune health and poor general health.

Researchers have shown that stimulating the pituitary gland to produce youthful levels of HGH can help rejuvenate the skin, increase lean body mass, promote energy production and build a strong immune system.

If you are between the ages of 35 and 70, your body is naturally producing only a tiny percentage of growth hormone than it was in your late teens. HGH secretion can decline up to 50% every 7 years after age 20. By the age of 60, HGH levels decrease by 80% from adolescent levels.


2. How does Secretagogue-Gold� stimulate HGH production?      [Back to Top]
DR. GIAMPAPA: Human growth hormone (HGH) production is a very complex process and requires other organs and hormones to work properly in order to carry out its anti-aging abilities. Many organs such as the hypothalamus, the pancreas, the pituitary and the liver all play a vital role in the overall HGH process. Secretagogue-Gold� focuses on this entire process, making it the first and only complete systemic approach to maximizing HGH levels.

This systemic approach is broken down into three main categories:
1. Pituitary/Hypothalamus stimulation to trigger the release of HGH
2. Pancreatic regulation to optimize blood sugar and insulin, to augment HGH and also regulate glucagon and cortisol levels
3. Hepatic (liver) nourishment and functioning for the conversion of HGH to IGF-1


3. How does Secretagogue-Gold� stimulate the pituitary gland to produce HGH?      [Back to Top]
DR. GIAMPAPA: Certain glands use unique combinations of amino acids and nutrients to trigger desired responses and hormonal secretions. By combining specific amino acids in precise ratios with other synergistic nutrients at the right time, the pituitary gland can increase HGH secretions without prescriptions or injections.

Secretagogue-Gold� utilizes a scientific blend of well-researched and extremely safe nutrients in their perfect balance to stimulate HGH release and at the same time suppress somatostatin, a secondary hormone which increases as we age and inhibits growth hormone release. By suppressing somatostatin, Secretagogue-Gold� will further increase HGH production at the pituitary-hypothalmus axis.


4. How do my blood sugar levels affect HGH production?      [Back to Top]
DR. GIAMPAPA: As we age, our body's ability to metabolize carbohydrates (sugars), also referred to as 'glucose tolerance', is progressively reduced. Our bodies simply do not respond to the action of insulin, resulting in elevated levels of glucose in the bloodstream. This is referred to as 'glucose intolerance', and causes include being overweight, continual wear and tear on the pancreas from years of eating and a decrease in the overall amount of insulin production. Another cause is that our cell receptor sites are no longer able to absorb glucose like they did when we were younger. Glucose intolerance renders glucose less available for use by muscle tissue, leading to high insulin levels and higher blood sugar levels. When blood sugar levels are elevated (such as after meals and snacks or due to your body's inability to metabolize sugars properly), the hypothalamus senses this condition and sends signals to the pituitary to inhibit HGH secretion. At the same time, the pancreas is stimulated to release insulin, crippling your body's ability to produce HGH. This elevation in blood sugar not only lowers HGH levels, but also contributes to obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

An important factor to remember is that as insulin increases, another hormone called cortisol concomitantly increases as well. Cortisol has been dubbed the age accelerating hormone. It exhibits a number of negative effects on the aging process in general. High cortisol levels are directly linked to 11 major factors in aging.

1.		Collagen and elastin protein breakdown in skin, joint, bone and muscle tissue occur.
2.		Memory loss and nervous system damage occur.
3.		Decreased immune function.
4.		Increased pro-inflammatory signaling factors called eicosanoids and interleukins.
5.		Fat metabolism disorders are reflected in elevated triglycerides, total cholesterol and low good to bad cholesterol ratios.
6.		Body fluid retention and high pressure occur.
7.		Decreased hormonal signaling capacity, especially insulin receptors occur. This also affects key receptors for testosterone, glucagon and the estrogens.
8.		Increased hypoglycemia and sugar cravings due to increased insulin levels.
9.		Skin problems, which exhibit themselves as wrinkles, acne, psoriasis, seborrhea and alopecia (hair loss).
10.		Decreased cognitive function.
11.		Interrupted sleep patterns.

On the contrary, when blood sugar levels are low, the hypothalamus senses the condition and issues an order for the body to start using stored fat for energy. It does this by signaling to the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland executes the order by secreting HGH, which stimulates the process of fat burning. This usually happens at night when the stomach is empty or at any other time when the body is deprived of food, as in times of fasting.


5. How do I keep my blood sugar levels stable?      [Back to Top]
DR. GIAMPAPA: Since blood sugar levels play such an important role in your body's ability to augment HGH, it is vital that you do everything you can to help stabilize blood sugar levels. There are three extremely important measures you can take to stabilize your blood sugar levels:

1. DIET: Always pay attention to the amount of food you consume, your ratio of macro-nutrients and your food sources. Overeating is one of the main causes of accelerated aging. Eat controlled and sensible meals and don't follow any extreme diet that permits you to overeat any one type of food. Regarding ratios and sources of foods, my patients have been experiencing very positive results by following a balanced diet where 45% of their calories come from low glycemic, slow burning complex carbohydrates, 35% of their calories come from high quality protein sources (poultry, fish, legumes and lean cuts of beef) and 20% of their calories come from healthy fats rich in essential fatty acids. This ratio helps to balance blood sugar levels by keeping insulin, glucagon and cortisol ratios where they need to be. Please see page 12 for detailed diet information.

2. SUPPLEMENTATION: Take clinically proven vitamins, minerals and herbs that assist the body in maintaining normal blood sugar levels. Secretagogue-Gold� contains a special blend (Glycation Regulation Complex) of carefully selected nutrients that supports optimal blood sugar regulation and glucose tolerance. In doing so, Secretagogue-Gold� also improves the balance of four very important hormones: insulin, glucagon, cortisol and growth hormone. Improving these key biomarkers of aging will optimize the aging process and improve the quality of your life and health span.

3. EXERCISE: Take part in a regular exercise program. During exercise, your body uses glucose (blood sugar) for fuel and improves your body's use of insulin, both of which help to lower blood sugar levels. Exercise also controls weight and reduces body fat, which in turn, improves your body's response to insulin. I usually recommend a moderate exercise program, but consult with your own physician before engaging in any exercise program. If you currently follow an exercise program, you are already on the right path. If you are not exercising or do not have enough time to get to the gym, I have outlined a very quick, simple and effective exercise program which you can follow at home. Please see page 17 for The Giampapa Anti-Aging exercise program.


6. How is my liver involved in the production of HGH?      [Back to Top]
DR. GIAMPAPA: The liver is exposed to high levels of toxic compounds and undergoes an enormous amount of stress from the everyday rigors of life. The liver filters everything we put into our bodies-food, smoke and environmental pollution, alcohol, medications-they're all filtered by our liver. Over time, the liver becomes damaged from these various stresses and becomes less effective at its many jobs, including the very important conversion of HGH to another hormone called IGF-1.

Once HGH is produced and released into the bloodstream, it only remains active for a short period of time, carrying out its multiple functions for approximately 30 minutes-the amount of time it takes to reach the liver. After reaching the liver, HGH must be converted into IGF-1 and various metabolites to continue to promote growth and the nourishment and repair of cells, all of which are needed to rebuild tissues damaged by injury, illness or the effects of aging. IGF-1 works just like HGH, but it stays in the bloodstream for a longer period of time, carrying out the same health promoting benefits as HGH. For this reason, it is extremely important for your liver to be functioning optimally so that it may properly convert HGH into the longer lasting IGF-1 hormone.


7. How does Secretagogue-Gold� support a healthy functioning liver?      [Back to Top]
DR. GIAMPAPA: There has been a tremendous amount of promising research on certain vitamins and herbs to support proper liver functioning and health. Secretagogue-Gold� contains a special blend of carefully selected nutrients to make up its Hepatic (Liver) Restoration Complex. This complex is specifically formulated to support optimal functioning of the liver, detoxification and regeneration of tissue. Key ingredients have been added to enhance the liver's ability to improve liver detoxification, which helps with the natural conversion of HGH to IGF-1. This also improves the body's ability to remove key toxins and metabolic build-up processes within the body that can impede optimal health and accelerate aging in general.


8. What is so unique about Secretagogue-Gold's Delivery System?      [Back to Top]
DR. GIAMPAPA: One of the most important things to understand is what occurs to the nutrients after you consume them. After all, it's not what you consume, but rather what you absorb that matters. Secretagogue-Gold� contains amino acids in specific ratios that are very sensitive to the harsh acidic environment of the stomach. In most other formulas, the acidity of the stomach renders these amino acids useless. Secretagogue-Gold� addresses this issue with a proprietary effervescent Polymer Transport Matrix delivery system that helps neutralize the PH of the gastric acids in the stomach so that these amino acids are carried into the bloodstream intact, where they carry out their mission to stimulate the release of HGH. Absorption becomes even more important with the onset of aging in general as the body loses the ability to absorb key nutrients including amino acids. This delivery system ensures proper absorption of the nutrients so they may perform their tasks.