Science-Based Ways to Increase IGF-1 Levels Naturally

How to Increase IGF-1 Hormone Naturally?

Insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is an essential hormone produced by the liver in response to human growth hormone (HGH) signals. In return, IGF-1 mediates crucial anabolic effects of HGH, including cellular regeneration. A small portion of IGF-1 comes from other organs and tissues. Increasing low IGF-1 and HGH levels are crucial if you become deficient as you age, as these hormones play pivotal roles in your well-being.

Critical effects of HGH suffer when IGF-1 levels are too low. Care is required in balancing these hormones, as their regulation is essential for optimum functions. Too high or too low of one or both hormones can lead to significant health issues. 

IGF-1 is highly complex, as it is also part of the insulin family, influencing blood glucose levels and cellular glucose uptake. While it is not as powerful as insulin in regulating blood sugar, it does help maintain proper metabolic balance in the body. 

Of all IGF-1 functions, assisting HGH with cellular reproduction is essential to protect the structural integrity of the skin, internal organs, muscles, bones, and other tissues throughout the body. Taking natural steps to increase low IGF-1 levels can go a long way in improving hormonal balance.

What Factors Affect IGF-1 Levels?

Numerous factors can affect insulin growth factor 1 levels as you age. Adults with liver cirrhosis, neurological diseases, and age-related cardiovascular diseases may experience IGF-1 deficiency. 

IGF-1 has six forms of binding proteins (IGFBP) that promote or inhibit its actions, along with its binding to its receptor IGF-1R. The majority (90%) of IGF-1 binds to IGFBP-3. The binding proteins are transporters and storage pools for IGF-1. 

Insulin growth hormone factor 1 can also bind to insulin receptors, though not as strongly as insulin, which is why it can assist with glucose uptake by the cells. IGF-1R can also receive insulin binding with lower specificity than IGF-1. 

Although it is an endocrine hormone produced by the liver, IGF-1 also exerts autocrine and paracrine effects as it can come from most tissues in the body and plays a significant mediating role in cell differentiation and transformation along with cellular growth. The liver secretes IGF-1 in response to HGH signals. IGF-1 has two actions in the hypothalamus that inhibit growth hormone production:

1. Stimulating somatostatin secretion to reduce HGH production
2. Inhibiting growth hormone gene expression 

As HGH levels decline, IGf-1 production decreases.

In other areas of the body, IGF-1 expression is regulated by specific trophic factors in the tissues. Examples include estrogen stimulating IGF-1 in the uterus and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) promoting IGF-1 expression in the ovaries. Testicular IGF-1 is also independent of HGH signaling, coming instead from the testes’ Sertoli, Leydig, and peritubular cells rather than via circulating insulin growth factor 1 from the liver. 

Other factors that inhibit IGF-1 levels:

• Fasting, including intermittent fasting, can reduce circulating IGF-1 levels. However, short-term fasting has also proved beneficial for increasing HGH production, which is necessary for IGF-1 release. Fasting in this manner may exert more of a hypoglycemia prevention effect for HGH than for anabolic signaling and IGF-1 secretion. 
• Lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle can inhibit HGH and IGF-1 production. 
• Excessive alcohol consumption can decrease IGF-1 levels.
• Not getting enough sleep and high stress can also reduce insulin growth factor 1 levels. 

What Are the Symptoms of Low IGF-1?

Due to its mediating effects on human growth hormone, IGF-1 deficiency has many of the same symptoms.

As previously mentioned, liver cirrhosis is associated with IGF-1 deficiency. Individuals with liver cirrhosis may have decreased HGH receptors in their liver. IGF-1 decline is related to a higher probability of hepatocarcinoma. 

What Are the Benefits of Increasing Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1?

Many of the benefits of increasing IGF-1 levels are similar to HGH. IGF-1 has numerous functions in the adult body, including:

• Supporting immunity via thymus functions, hematopoiesis, and immune cell function
• Promoting cardiovascular protection and vasodilation
• Supporting musculoskeletal growth, structure, and strength
• Promoting testicular functions and integrity
• Assisting ovarian folliculogenesis
• Protecting cognitive health through anti-inflammatory, amyloid clearance, and myelination
• Supporting vascular endothelial growth

• Neuroprotective Effects

The neuroprotective effects of IGF-1 in the central nervous system may help with peripheral nerve injury and other nervous system disorders. Insulin growth factor 1 has been shown to improve antioxidant enzyme activities, increase mitochondrial membrane potential, and decrease caspase-induced apoptosis. IGF-1 and HGH decline during aging may contribute to dementia, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and stroke. IGF-1 therapy may be a candidate for clinical trials of AD and ALS.

• Renal Function Effects 

The HGH, IGF-1, and IGFBP axis support normal renal function, with chronic kidney diseases (CKD) showing altered serum insulin growth factor 1 and binding protein concentrations. Increasing IGF-1 levels can help increase renal blood flow and support improved kidney functions. 

• Cardiac Effects

The myocardium, aortic smooth muscle, and endothelial cells express insulin growth factor 1 and its receptor, with cardiac IGF-1 production increasing via HGH signaling in the heart. The role of IGF-1 as a vasodilator is partly mediated by the endothelium’s release of nitric oxide (NO). Decreasing IGF-1 levels are correlated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and may increase the risk of congestive heart failure and ischemic stroke. Increasing IGF-1 levels exerts a positive correlation on coronary flow reserve. Research has shown IGF-1 to benefit multiple vascular pathologies, including angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, diabetic vascular disease, hypertension, and restenosis. 

• Diabetes and Insulin Effects 

Increasing IGF-1 levels helps improve insulin resistance and lipid metabolism, as low IGF-1 levels are often seen with incidents of insulin resistance, as in metabolic syndrome. Increasing IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels enhances protein and glucose metabolism by regulating endogenous glucose output and peripheral glucose uptake in type 1 diabetes. For individuals with type 2 diabetes, increasing IGF-1 levels can reduce glucose levels and improve glucose tolerance, hyperinsulinemia, and hypertriglyceridemia. 

• Musculoskeletal Effects

IGF-1 plays a significant role in muscle protein synthesis, tissue recovery, and muscle growth. It helps reduce muscle wasting and lean body mass loss during periods of calorie restriction. IGF-1 mediates growth hormone effects on osteoblast, bone formation, and skeletal metabolism to protect against bone loss.

Best Ways To Increase IGF-1 Levels Naturally

There are multiple steps you can take to improve IGF-1 levels. Lifestyle changes can have a significant impact on insulin growth factor 1. Dietary and activity changes (such as exercise) can help improve hormone production while assisting with weight loss. Abdominal fat plays a significant role in altering numerous hormone levels, including HGH and IGF-1. Losing weight can make quite a difference in HGH and IGF-1 production.

Here are some of the best ways to increase IGF-1 levels naturally:

• Foods

Protein is the leading dietary factor in promoting IGF-1 production. Foods high in beneficial protein include eggs, lean meat, dairy, and fish. Protein is essential when fasting as that refeeds the cells. Avoid processed foods, sugar, and foods high in saturated fat. Some studies have shown dairy, especially milk, can help raise IGF-1 levels.

• Exercise

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts and intense exercise can increase IGF- levels through enhanced growth hormone secretion. The body can adjust to exercise, so changing your routine regularly can help promote ongoing HGH and IGF-1 production. 

• Herbs, Vitamins, and Supplements

Selenium and coenzyme Q10 supplementation over four years increased IGF-1 levels in one study. While zinc and calcium may help raise IGF-1 levels, that is best achieved through protein and milk consumption. Astragalus, amino acids such as arginine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) may also help boost human growth hormone levels, which can impact IGF-1.

• Sleep

Less than 7 hours of sleep a night can reduce HGH secretion, decreasing IGF-1 levels. Do not eat before bed, as that can further reduce IGF-1 levels when they are often at their highest. Human growth hormone therapy is an optimum way to increase IGF-1 levels as it reaches the liver to promote insulin growth factor 1 production. A hormone specialist should always prescribe HGH therapy following comprehensive blood analysis to determine the need.

Conclusion

Increasing IGF-1 levels that are low can have many health and cognitive benefits for adults. It is best to receive any hormone supplementation guidance from a hormone specialist. Whether trying lifestyle changes or looking to use HGH therapy, seeking the help of a hormone doctor can provide the best results. Contact our hormone therapy clinic to learn more about increasing IGF-1 levels safely and effectively.