Biological aging is characterized by an expected and progressive loss of cellular coordination and organ functionality, and consequently the organism gradually becomes less apt to reproduce and survive.

Today, however, in regenerative and anti-aging medicine we tend to believe that you age because of the reduction of hormone levels and, if you maintain an adequate hormone level, the symptoms of aging are sensibly reduced.

With aging, we note a variation in the cycle of amplitude of secretion of corticotropine (ACTH), tyreotropine (TSH) and growth hormone (GH)1.  Many of these variation are minimal, but for GH and ACTH these changes are important clinically.

The reduction of the secretion of GH is tied to a reduced hypothalamic secretion of  GH-releasing hormone ( GHRH) e and the resulting reduced peripheral effect.  Low levels of physical activity and adiposity contribute to the reduction of secretion of GH in the elderly.

In addition GH is produced during sleep in low waves;  the elderly maintain a daily rhythm of GH secretion with peaks during the night, but lower than those of the young.

by Massimo Fioranelli