What is the secretion of growth hormone

Growth hormone is secreted by eosinophils in the anterior pituitary gland and is mainly regulated by growth hormone releasing hormone and somatostatin secreted by the hypothalamus. The factors that affect secretion include sleep quality, exercise intensity, nutritional status, age stage, and stress level.

1. Pituitary secretion:

The eosinophils in the anterior pituitary gland are the direct source of growth hormone, and these specialized cells release synthesized growth hormone into the bloodstream through exocytosis. Pituitary microadenoma may lead to abnormal secretion, clinically manifested as gigantism or acromegaly.

2. Hypothalamic regulation:

Growth hormone releasing hormone secreted by the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus is stimulated and secreted through the pituitary portal system, while somatostatin has an inhibitory effect. This dual regulatory mechanism results in pulsatile secretion of growth hormone, reaching its peak during the deep sleep phase at night.

3. Sleep effects:

The secretion during slow wave sleep accounts for 70% of the whole day, and it is crucial for children to ensure high-quality sleep for more than 9 hours. Sleep deprivation can lead to a 30% -50% decrease in growth hormone levels, affecting the growth and development of adolescents.

4. Exercise stimulation:

A secretion peak occurs 15 minutes after high-intensity anaerobic exercise, and continuous exercise for more than 30 minutes can increase baseline levels by 2-3 times. But overtraining can lead to an increase in cortisol, which in turn inhibits the secretion of growth hormone.

5. Nutritional status:

Low blood sugar significantly stimulates secretion, and elevated amino acid levels 3 hours after protein intake can promote release. Obese individuals often have insufficient secretion of growth hormone, and a 15% decrease in body fat percentage can improve secretion function. Maintaining a regular schedule and moderate exercise play a fundamental role in maintaining normal levels of growth hormone. It is recommended to perform 30 minutes of resistance training daily, avoid high sugar diets 3 hours before bedtime, and maintain a dark and quiet environment during deep sleep. Adolescent populations need to ensure daily intake of high-quality protein such as dairy products and fish, and regularly monitor bone age and height growth rate. After the age of 40, the natural secretion decreases by 15% annually, which can be slowed down through non pharmacological methods such as intermittent fasting and cold water baths.