Ingredients8.3
Effectiveness8.7
Value7.6
Taste7.2
Pros
  • Boosts muscle growth
  • Supports healthy aging
  • Alleviates metabolic syndromes
Cons
  • Spray doesn't taste bad, but it's doesn't taste great either
8Overall Score

IGF-1 supplements have caused a media firestorm recently as the debate concerning what substances should and should not be allowed in professional sports continues.

Fortunately, as long as you aren’t a professional athlete subject to drug testing, you can reap the myriad benefits IGF-1 has to offer.

In this review we’ll cover what IGF-1 is, the benefits of boosting IGF-1, and my thoughts on the popular supplement IGF-1 Protocol.

What Is IGF-1?

l Similar in structure to insulin, IGF-1 appropriately stands for insulin-like growth factor.

It is produced in most tissues, with the liver providing the mains source of IGF-1 found in circulation.[1]

But why have so many people fallen in love with this hormone? Let’s explore the benefits IGF-1 has to offer.

IGF-1 Enhances Performance

Among the many sport performance benefits IGF-1 has to offer are increased muscle growth and recovery. Senior science editor from FLEX Jim Stoppani explains,

“The main way that circulating IGF-1 is believed to kick-start muscle growth is by binding to its receptor found on the membrane of muscle cells, where it sets off a cascade of events that leads to an increase in muscle protein synthe-growth.

Binding IGF-1 to its receptor also decreases muscle protein breakdown. Muscle protein is constantly being shredded and built up. A decrease in muscle protein breakdown with a boost in its buildup (synthesis) leads to growth.” [2]

IGF-1 Improves Blood Glucose

A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition set out to further explore the effects of IGF-1 in regards to alleviating metabolic syndromes such as diabetes mellitus.[3]

Although the study was conducted with mice, researchers concluded oral IGF consumption is effective for patients with diabetes“ …the present study confirmed that the oral consumption of fractions including IGF helps in controlling blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes mellitus.”

Another study supports IGF-1 as a vascular protective factor and useful for treating chronic heart failure, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes prevention.[4]

Improved blood sugar levels combined with IGF-1’s ability to kick start muscle growth will help you pack on mass while burning stubborn body fat.

Why I Recommend IGF-1 Protocol

I recommend IGF-1 Protocol because it contains proven ingredients such as deer antler velvet, alpha GPC, and mucuna pruriens. What’s more, IGF-1 has too many benefits to ignore. It helps with anti-aging, boosts muscle growth, and burns body fat.

[1] Holly, J. (2008) Physiology of the IGF System, in Biology of IGF-1: Its Interaction with Insulin in Health and Malignant States: Novartis Foundation Symposium 262 (eds G. Bock and J. Goode), John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Chichester, UK. doi: 10.1002/0470869976.ch3

[2] Stoppani, Jim “Mega Growth Factors” Flex, 87508915, Mar2012, Vol. 30, Issue 3

[3] Kyung-A Hwang, Yu-Jin Hwang, Woelkyu Ha, Young-Kug Choo and Kisung Ko (2012). Oral administration of insulin-like growth factor-I from colostral whey reduces blood glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. British Journal of Nutrition, 108, pp 39-45. doi:10.1017/S0007114511005198.

[4] P. Sytze van Dam, André Aleman, Insulin-like growth factor-I, cognition and brain aging, European Journal of Pharmacology, Volume 490, Issues 1–3, 19 April 2004, Pages 87-95, ISSN 0014-2999, Available at: (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014299904002043)



About The Author

Brian E. is from southern California and has worked for names like GNC and Vitamin Shoppe as a supplement expert and consultant. He currently lives in Utah and is studying marketing.

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