Why use IGF-1
IGF-1 and synthetic IGF-1 analogues have therapeutic medical applications in the medical field. Because of the role of IGF1 in the regulation of growth, it has been investigated by the scientific community for treating growth disorders. However, its efficacy has been intensively debated (Balhara et al, 2012). Since IGF-1 has anabolic properties, it is no surprise that some bodybuilders and athletes are interested in the IGF-1 hormone as a means to increase lean mass and performance.

IGF-1 Negatives & Side Effects
Unlike growth hormone, the benefits of IGF-1 in the medical field are far less clear cut. The first downside of IGF-1 is that the anabolic effects are not only for lean mass, but also for fat mass (Balhara et al, 2012). In cases where IGF-1 therapy has been administered to those that need it, several side effects have been reported. One clinical trial reported that 60% of the test subjects experienced temporary adverse effects. The most frequently reported were headache, vomiting, and hypoglycaemia, that is, low blood sugar (Midyett et al, 2010). Trials involving long periods of IGF-1 treatment have also reported individuals developing anti IGF-1 antibodies, and hence developing a tolerance to the hormone (Chernausek et al, 2007). This may result in in requiring higher doses of this drug in the future, after extended use.

One major concern for IGF-1 therapy is that high doses of IGF-1 increases cell proliferation and survival. This may increase the risk of cancer among certain individuals, and experts warrant caution in cases where IGF-1 therapy is being considered (Balhara et al, 2012).

IGF1 Legal Status
Being a hormone with potential for severe side effects, IGF-1 is not available over the counter. It can only be prescribed by medical doctors and even then, it rarely is done so. Use of IGF-1 without medical supervision is not legal in Australia and many other countries.

However, there are different forms of IGF, such as IGF-1 and IGF-1 LR3 that have varied potencies and functions.

IGF-1

Insulin-like Growth Factor 1, abbreviated IGF-1, is a protein that is encoded by the IGF1 gene. It consists of 70 amino acids and is a hormone that is structured similarly to insulin. Its main function is to stimulate growth within the body due to its regulation of both cell growth and cell death.

Synthetic IGF-1 serves as an alternative to solely relying on the pituitary gland to make Human Growth Hormone (HGH). The pituitary gland decreases function with age, but the IGF-1 bypasses that organ and produces the same effects of growth hormone.

IGF-1 Long R3

IGF-1 Long R3, or IGF-1 LR3, is a form of IGF that has been chemically altered with changed amino acids. It consists of 83 amino acids with a substation of Arg(R) for the Glu(E) at position three, hence, the name R3. The altercations enable it to avoid binding to proteins in the body, which allows it to have a longer half-life.

According to Peptide Labs, IGF-1 LR3 is more potent than the regular IGF-1 because of the decreased binding of Long R3 IGF-1 to IGF binding proteins. Its main purpose is to increase the biological activity of IGF.

Essentially, when IGF-1 LR3 is active in the body, it functions differently in different types of tissues. For instance, in muscle tissue, it makes the muscle more sensitive to insulin’s effects, such as a reduction in fat storage. But while IGF-1 LR3 helps fat reduction, a person using it will experience weight gain because of the increase in pure-muscle weight.

Uses

Both IGF-1 and IGF-1 LR3 help increase muscle cells in tissue. Bodybuilders or people who want a more muscular physique use these IGF variations as a way to build muscle. With weight training, the hormones mature the new cells, making them grow and become stronger muscle tissue within the body.

IGF-1 or Insulin like Growth Factor 1, is a protein encoded by the IGF1 gene and it is similar to the molecular structure of insulin. It contains seventy amino acid polypeptides that are produced by the liver and endocrine hormone. IGF-1 has many effects on the body. When in balance… It does a body good! But when out of balance it can cause many repercussions to the body.

IGF-1 supports cellular division and growth to the muscles and organs. IGF-1 automatically begins being produced at birth. This is one of the major factors in height and muscle growth throughout childhood and puberty. Some people, however, are born without the correct amount of IGF-1 production and that can lead to dwarfism, or in some cases have synthetic IGF-1 therapy.

IGF-1 helps in repairing nerve damage, which can aid in many different areas of the brain, cardiovascular, circulatory systems and my favorite anti-aging. It helps to reduce body fat because it halts insulin from moving glucose through the body, resulting in the body using fat as a source of energy instead of glucose.

IGF-1 also plays a role in cell repair to the brain, heart and of course muscles. New developments have shown that IGF-1 helps in the development of new muscles by igniting human stem cells. It also plays a role in muscle regeneration, due to cell repair. It also, increases the number and size of cells in the body. It helps to reduce the amount of muscle loss, and in turn aids in muscle growth, as mentioned before. It is due to all of these reasons synthetic IGF-1 is of the hottest muscle building products on the market today.

One must be careful not to have too much supplemental IGF-1 in the body or side effects can occur. When too much synthetic IGF-1 is present one can experience jaw pain, facial, hand, and heart swelling. Heart swelling can lead to higher blood pressure and heart failure. Synthetic IGF-1 stays in the body longer than natural IGF-1 and because IGF-1 produces growth cells it can lead to muscle and organ overgrowth. References to bodybuilders and power lifters with abnormally large stomachs have been linked to overuse of IGF-1 because their internal organs have grown too large. Lastly, if free roaming IGF-1’s stay in the body too long there has been evidence to show that it can produce different cancers.

So, in a nutshell, IGF-1 is a great hormone that your body produces naturally. It is an amazing compound that helps with cellular growth and repair throughout the body. It helps our bodies grow to their natural state as well as aids in the building and repairing of muscles. But one must be careful when using synthetic IGF-1 for bodybuilding purposes, not to over do it. In my opinion the side effects of overuse do not outweigh the results. Again, the saying “You can’t have your cake and eat it too!” comes to mind.

Research on IGF-1
Research on IGF 1 has shown a number of different things. First of all, the natural IGF is usually produced by the liver as an endocrine hormone. The production is stimulated by the growth hormone, but this can be halted by poor nutrition, insensitivity, and a failure of the body’s receptors. All of these factors are genetic defects that can seriously stymie the growth of individuals that have these traits. Scientists believe that the IGF could help many of these individuals who are lacking in this department.

Scientists have discovered that the IGF-1 has stimulating effects on many different parts of the body. This includes the muscles, bones, skin, cartilage located around the body, and the liver and kidneys. The number of positive effects that could be offered by the peptide has whipped the scientific community into a frenzy.

Uses of the IGF 1
The peptide is known to be therapeutic in a number of ways, but scientists are still researching how to perfect the peptide for human consumption. There are a plethora of possible benefits, but many scientists are yet unable to pinpoint the most efficient uses. As always, research will continue in-depth because the compound will almost never be “complete”.

Scientists and researchers are encouraged and incentivized to continue studying the peptide because of the potential effects that it can have on humans. Many sick people or undernourished will be able to get the proper support with some of the IGF peptide compounds.

Investment into the compound has been enormous in the past few decades because of all the benefits explained above. This means that the public will continue to see new IGF-1 products on the market with increased benefits.

IGF-1 in the Future

The future of the IGF-1 peptide is unknown, but promising. If researchers continue to make new breakthroughs, then the companies that fund the experiments will continue to do so. The compound is highly useful in a number of different ways, which is a huge benefit for their continued funding.

Like any other scientific research, the success of the peptide will be closely aligned with the funding that is gained. For humanity’s benefit, it is a good idea to maintain the level of research that has existed thus far and to continue building upon what has already been learned within the community.

Perhaps the most interesting and potent effect IGF has on the human body is its ability to cause hyperplasia, which is an actual splitting of cells. Hypertrophy is what occurs during weight training and steroid use, it is simply an increase in the size of muscle cells. See, after puberty you have a set number of muscle cells, and all you are able to do is increase the size of these muscle cells, you don’t actually gain more. But, with IGF use you are able to cause this hyperplasia which actually increases the number of muscle cells present in the tissue, and through weight training and steroid usage you are able to mature these new cells, in other words make them grow and become stronger. So in a way IGF can actually change your genetic capabilities in terms of muscle tissue and cell count. IGF proliferates and differentiates the number of types of cells present. At a genetic level it has the potential to alter an individuals capacity to build superior muscle density and size.

Another frequently asked question of IGF refers to the real world results, in terms of pure weight gain don’t expect to gain 5 lbs. a week like you may off of anadrol or a similar steroid. The only weight you will gain from IGF use is pure lean muscle tissue, with steroids most of the weight gained is water weight. With an effective dosage you can expect to gain 1-2 lbs of new lean muscle tissue every 2-3 weeks and these effects can be increased with the use of testosterone, anabolic steroids, and insulin use. Increased vascularity is also very common, people report seeing veins appear where they never have before. And yet another effect reported is the ability to stay lean while bulking with heavy dosages of steroids and TONS of food while on an IGF cycle, this is perhaps the most pleasing effect. Increased pumps are also noticeable almost immediately, the pumps can almost become painful, pumps are even noticeable when doing cardio.

Overall, IGF is a very exciting drug due to its ability to alter ones genetic capabilities. If you can find a trustworthy source and you use it correctly it can be a VERY useful tool in your bodybuilding drug arsenal.

Any form of IGF is ONLY supplied in a lyphosized form, which means a dry powder state. NEVER PUCHASE PRE-DILUTED LIQUID IGF!!!! There is no such product made anywhere in the world and even if there were real IGF ever present in the vial it would all be dead by the time you receive it. IGF is a very delicate peptide and must be diluted by yourself, where you have access to a refrigerator and freezer. There has also been a lot of talk by certain sources claiming to have IGF made by the Eli Lilly company, to clear things up Lilly is a pharmaceutical company and as stated IGF is a research drug and has not yet been approved, Lilly does not and never has manufactured research drugs for retail sale.

IGF Cycles

The most effective length for a cycle of IGF is 50 days on and 20-40 days off. The most controversy surrounding Long R3 IGF-1 is the effective dosage.

IGF Dosage

The most used dosages range between 20mcg/day to 120+mcg/day. IGF is only available by the milligram, one mg will give you a 50 day cycle at 20mcg/day, 2mg will give you a 50 day cycle at 40mcg/day, 3mg will give you a 50 day cycle at 60mcg/day, 4mg will give you a 50 day cycle at 80mcg/day and so on. The dosage issue mainly revolves around how much money you have to spend, plenty of people use the minimum dosage of 20mcg/day and are happy with the results, and in fact several top bodybuilders use the 20mcg/day dosage and are pleased with the results. IGF is most effective when administered subcutaneous and injected once or twice daily at your current dosage. The best time for injections is either in the morning and/or immediately after weight training.

IGF stands for insulin-like growth factor. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a polypeptide protein hormone similar in molecular structure to insulin . It plays an important role in childhood growth and continues to have anabolic effects in adults. It is a natural substance that is produced in the human body and is at its highest natural levels during puberty. During puberty IGF is the most responsible for the natural muscle growth that occurs during these few years. There are many different things that IGF does in the human body. Among the effects the most positive are increased amino acid transport to cells, increased glucose transport, increased protein synthesis, decreased protein degradation, and increased RNA synthesis.

Long R3 IGF-1 is signifacantly more potent than IGF-1. The enhanced potency is due to the decreased binding of Long R3 IGF-1 to all known IGF binding proteins. These binding proteins normally inhibit the biological actions of IGF’s.

When IGF is active it behaves differently in different types of tissues. In muscle cells proteins and associated cell components are stimulated. Protein synthesis is increased along with amino acid absorption. As a source of energy, IGF mobilizes fat for use as energy in adipose tissue. In lean tissue, IGF prevents insulin from transporting glucose across cell membranes. As a result the cells have to switch to burning off fat as a source of energy.

IGF also mimic’s insulin in the human body. It makes muscles more sensitive to insulin’s effects, so if you are a person that currently uses insulin you can lower your dosage by a decent margin to achieve the same effects, and as mentioned IGF will keep the insulin from making you fat.

IGF is a research drug, it hasn’t been approved by the FDA for use as a pharmaceutical and it is currently being researched for nerve tissue repair, possible burn victims, and also as a possible aid in muscle wasting for AIDS patients. There are many different analogs of IGF available, instead of mentioning them all, I will simply mention the two most common and the most effective. Regular recombinant IGF is one of the two, it is also the more expensive and the least effective. Regular IGF only has a half-life of about 10-20 minutes in the human body and is quickly destroyed, it can be combined with certain binding proteins to extend the half-life, but it is not a very simple procedure and there is a more effective and less expensive version available. The most effective form of IGF is Long R3 IGF-1, it has been chemically altered and has had amino acid changes which cause it to avoid binding to proteins in the human body and allow it to have a much longer half life, around 20-30 hours. “Long R3 IGF-1 is an 83 amino acid analog of IGF-1 comprising the complete human IGF-1 sequence with the substition of an Arg(R) for the Glu(E) at position three, hence R3, and a 13 amino acid extension peptide at the N terminus. This analog of IGF-1 has been produced with the purpose of increasing the biological activity of the IGF peptide.”