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IGF-1 Definition
IGF-1 is the abbreviation for Insulin-like Growth Factor 1. Also known as somatomedin C, growth hormone stimulates the liver to produce this hormone. It is then released into the bloodstream.
In fact, IGF-1 is a growth factor, but you must have the right level; levels that are too high or too low can be a source of problems. IGF-1 spurs growth in children, and clinical studies have shown that milk proteins have a significant impact on plasma IGF-1.
It has even been suggested that the changing size of young people, which is increasing in many countries, is from the significant consumption of milk and derived products and their protein content.
Regular physical activity or intense sports diminish the body’s production of IGF-1 and increase its binding in the blood (through IGF-BP), which limits the loss of bone density that comes to everyone with age.
Effects of doping with IGF-1
Insulin-like Growth Factor 1, Somatomedin. This product is supposed to produce the same anabolic effects as insulin, but is this the case? Let’s go into a little more detail…
For the past several years everyone in gyms, weightlifting clubs and bodybuilding magazines has been talking about IGF-1.
IGF has a growth factor identical to insulin, and is also called somatomedin C. It is extremely important in the growth of young children, and for adults it plays an anabolic role.
It’s a growth hormone that determines its own implementation. This growth hormone triggers the liver to produce hormones that encourage muscle growth. One of these hormones is IGF-1.
IGF-1 acts much more directly than growth hormone itself. Therefore it’s very easy to understand the keen interest from bodybuilders and other weightlifters.
What are the effects of IGF-1 hormone for bodybuilders?
- It causes bone and muscle growth.
- It has an anabolic role, meaning that it increases anabolism, i.e. transforms nutrients into living tissue.
- IGF-1 hormone improves recovery and healing, and also reduces fat mass.
All the same, it’s important to indicate that growth hormone makes the entire body grow, including all muscles. We must draw attention to the fact that the body can become deformed. It is easy for a specialist to identify an athlete who consumes this kind of product.
Human growth hormone IGF-1 has many positive effects. It strengthens muscles by increasing the number of cells (hyperplasia), while on the other hand, anabolic steroids simply increase the size of existing muscle cells.
This means that even after stopping intake, you will continue to progress.
Few studies have been carried out on IGF LR3 (unlike IGF-1), which is known for being 2-3 times as powerful as standard IGF-1 due to its longer half-life.
IGF-1 is rarely used because its lifespan is very short, more or less 10 minutes. Its substitute IGF-1 LR3 (modified version of IGF-1, which is not naturally produced by the body) is largely preferred, with a lifespan lasting several hours. For this reason it is taken less frequently and in smaller quantities in a freeze-dried or reconstituted form.
Its dosage ranges from 20 to 120 mcg/day. Results are visible fairly quickly. The treatment lasts from 4 weeks to 50 days. The ideal intake is intramuscular injection just after workouts.
A study on male subjects who made injections every day for 6 weeks (whether with HGH alone, IGF-1 alone or IGF-1 and HGH together) showed increased lean body mass, acquired resistance and diminished fat mass.
PEG-MGF (growth factor)
A scientific report shows this product’s doping potential. A previous study has shown that a single injection given to a mouse caused 25% growth in only three weeks.
Side Effects of IGF-1
Hypoglycemia: Hypoglycemia can cause dizziness and vertigo. This can be compensated for by a balanced diet and carbohydrate intake soon after injections.
Water retention: some users have experienced water retention. Excess water attaches to body tissues, and the body accumulates more water than it eliminates.
Diet During an IGF-1 Treatment
IGF-1 peptides are not influenced by food. Therefore there are no dietary constraints or modifications.
The only “rules” for IGF-1 peptides are to try to make injections as soon as possible after workouts, and if possible, into a muscle that can begin strengthening immediately. However don’t worry if you can’t follow these rules, because the long half-lives of the two peptides mean that your injections will always be moved through the bloodstream and find receptor sites in the muscles to carry out their anabolic effects.
Since the primary role of IGF-1 and PEG-MGF is to create new muscle cells, the best diet is rich in proteins, preferably eaten around workout sessions.
The most important times to consume proteins, preferably in the form of liquid amino acids like BCAAs, are just before and during your workout sessions.
Logically, protein taken after working out does not contribute to muscular protein synthesis, but rather to the body’s overall protein synthesis. Consuming amino acids during a training session leads directly to muscular protein synthesis due to the faster blood circulation from the physical effort, resulting in the more effective delivery of amino acids directly to the muscles.
There are also variations, with IGF-1 DES. It is ten times more effective than normal IGF-1.
In its natural (endogenous) version, IGF-1 is composed of 70 amino acids. IGF-1 DES (1-3) has a modified sequence where the last three amino acids (on the tri-peptide N-terminal end) are removed.
Thanks to this adjustment, IGF-1 DES does not cause blockage due to its dependence on the binding protein that allows it to circulate. Therefore the circulation of IGF-1 DES is free and available throughout the bloodstream, waiting to find a receptor.
During physical effort, combustion takes place in the muscle thanks to oxygen and sugar. This creates ADP (Adenosine Di-phosphate) and then lactic acid.
The accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles causes a burning sensation or even cramps at high doses. Moreover, this acid prevents receptors from functioning properly. Therefore some anabolics or anti-catabolics will not find their receptor and won’t be able to act. This can happen with IGF-1, but not for IGF-1 DES which is receptor-free.
IGF-1 DES is 100% bioavailable (because it is not bound to receptors), it is ten times more anabolic than the IGF-1 created by the body and it has the advantage of being active even when lactic acid appears in the muscle tissues.
Many find it a shame that its active life only lasts a few minutes.