A 70-amino acid hormone that promotes cell growth, proliferation, and survival, primarily produced in the liver in response to growth hormone stimulation.
A study on a long‑acting, PEG‑linked growth hormone (YPEG‑rhGH) in healthy older adults shows it raises IGF‑1 levels, but the boost is smaller in heavier or older people and less pronounced with longer dosing gaps. The drug follows a two‑compartment PK pattern, has mild side effects, and appears safe in this group.
Cutting calories lowers IGF‑1 levels, which then reduces a protein called HIF‑1α in neutrophils. This change stops neutrophils from storing fats, cutting the fuel tumors get and boosting the body’s anti‑cancer immunity. In mice, removing neutrophils wipes out the cancer‑fighting benefit of calorie restriction, showing neutrophils are key.
Sheldon. Mr Rocco MR; Gan. Mr Andrew MA; Tasong. Ms Jennifer MJ; Yap. Audrey A; Ahmad. Mr Moiz MM; H...
Regular aerobic exercise, especially at least three times a week, can naturally boost IGF‑1 levels in older adults, with the biggest jumps seen in programs shorter than 12 weeks. This same routine also improves many other health markers like inflammation, cholesterol, and insulin sensitivity, making it a practical, drug‑free way to support longevity and performance.
Kim. Yujin Y; You. So Hyeon SH; Yoon. Daewon D; Lee. Jung Min JM; Woo. Mi Seon MS; Park. Yea Ji YJ;...
Pea sprout extract taken at 100 mg a day for eight weeks helped grow more hair in a small human trial, and lab work showed it boosts IGF‑1 and other growth factors while cutting inflammation and oxidative stress in hair follicles.
The study found that an extract from hemp seeds can boost the body’s own IGF‑1 signaling in mouse muscle cells, which may help muscle repair and growth. While the work was done in cell cultures and not in people, it suggests that hemp seed products could be a natural way to support muscle regeneration, though exact dosing for humans isn’t known yet.
The study shows that two natural compounds, Celastrol and a soy‑derived Cblin peptide, can each protect muscle cells from shrinking in a simulated space‑flight environment by boosting stress‑protein defenses or keeping the IGF‑1 growth pathway active. They work separately, not together, and the work was done in rat cells, not people, so the findings are promising but still early.
Choquet de Isla. Javier J; Bández-Ruiz. Manuel M; Rosety-Rodríguez. Ignacio I; Pérez-...
The paper says that exercise and some nutrients can boost brain cell growth in the hypothalamus, a key area for metabolism, mainly through factors like IGF‑1, but real‑world evidence in people is still limited. It highlights special stem cells called tanycytes and suggests combining workouts with supplements might help, though more research is needed.
Chen. Shuaiming S; Liu. Min M; Tan. Huiwen H; Ji. Lin L; Yu. Yerong Y; Jiang. Shu S; Cai. Bowen B; W...
In people with acromegaly, higher IGF‑1 levels were linked to more vertebral fractures, and a special CT scan (QCT) was better at spotting weak bones than the usual DXA scan. This suggests that too much IGF‑1 can hurt bone health, and standard bone density tests might miss the problem.
Alvarez. Mauricio M; Rincon. Juliana J; Ulloa. Maria Mercedes MM; Rincon. Oswaldo O; Mejia. Liliana...
People with acromegaly (high IGF‑1) often have weak bones and fractures, and this isn’t tied to their age, weight, or how long they’ve had the disease. Even though IGF‑1 is high, it doesn’t protect against osteoporosis, and those on certain drugs (somatostatin analogs) seem to have it more often.
Gribbon. Donagh D; Garcíal Salmerón. Arnau A; Gout. Ivan I; O'Connor. Rosemary R
The study shows that a protein modification called CoAlation rises when cells are stressed by oxidation, especially in cancer cells, and that low IGF‑1 receptor activity makes this effect stronger. Basically, good IGF‑1 signaling seems to help keep oxidative stress in check, while lacking it leads to more stress and more CoAlation.
The study found that men with diabetes who develop prostate cancer have higher levels of insulin and IGF‑1, and these higher hormone levels are linked to more aggressive, higher‑grade tumors. This suggests that elevated IGF‑1, especially when combined with diabetes, may promote worse prostate cancer outcomes.
The paper explains that immune cells called macrophages can either help rebuild muscle or make it waste away. The “repair” type (M2) releases IGF‑1 and other healing signals, while the “inflammatory” type (M1) releases harmful chemicals that speed up muscle loss. Keeping inflammation low and encouraging the M2 state may boost natural IGF‑1 benefits for muscle health.
A study in deer showed that feeding the prebiotic fibers guar gum and xylo‑oligosaccharides reshapes the gut microbiome, boosts short‑chain fatty acids, and raises blood levels of IGF‑1 and other growth factors, which together speed up antler bone growth. While the work is animal‑based, it hints that similar fiber‑driven microbiome changes might help increase IGF‑1 and support bone or muscle health in people, though human data are still missing.
This study shows that a blood test for the bone‑breakdown marker β‑CTX (≥0.3 ng/mL) together with low estradiol (≤62.7 pmol/L) can reliably flag perimenopausal women who are starting to lose bone, even before a DXA scan would catch it. IGF‑1 didn’t relate to bone loss in this group.
The paper explains how testosterone helps build bigger, stronger muscles by acting on many pathways, including boosting IGF‑1, increasing muscle‑building cells, improving blood flow, and enhancing mitochondria. It shows that these effects don’t need conversion to DHT and involve both genetic and non‑genetic actions. While it doesn’t give new dosing tips, it clarifies why testosterone can be a powerful tool for muscle and performance gains.
Seyfizadeh. Nayer N; Salatin. Sara S; Hamidi. Samin S; Dadkhah. Masoomeh M; Sarailoo. Mahdi M; Azarf...
Exercise isn’t just good for muscles—it also raises brain‑helping chemicals like IGF‑1 and BDNF, which can improve memory, focus, and mood while cutting down brain inflammation and oxidative stress, especially as we age.
Gutierrez de Piñeres. Valeria V; Tamayo-Torres. Claudia S CS; Ramirez-Cisneros. Arantxa A; Kave...
A short 18‑day course of the diabetes drug liraglutide lowered overall weight and specifically reduced belly and trunk fat in people with type‑2 diabetes, without changing muscle or bone mass. It also slightly raised IGF‑1 levels while lowering C‑peptide, a marker of insulin production. The study suggests quick fat loss but no immediate muscle benefits, and the hormonal changes need more research to understand their impact.
Higgins Tejera. César C; Zhu. Peiyao P; Ware. Erin B EB; Hicken. Margaret T MT; Zawistowski. Ma...
The study found that higher levels of IGF-1 in the blood are linked to a greater chance of cognitive problems in older adults, and this link is partly explained by faster DNA‑based aging. In other words, too much IGF‑1 may speed up epigenetic aging and hurt brain health.
Kamrul-Hasan. A B M ABM; Nagendra. Lakshmi L; Ashraf. Ambika P AP; Chatterjee. Subhankar S; Dutta. D...
Switching from daily growth‑hormone shots to a once‑weekly version called somapacitan works just as well for adults who lack GH, gives similar muscle‑and‑bone benefits, and is easier to use, but it does cause a slightly higher chance of mild side‑effects while not increasing serious problems.
Xenos. Dionysios D; Mancinetti. Francesca F; Mecocci. Patrizia P; Boccardi. Virginia V
The paper explains that in type 2 diabetes, the same problems that make muscles waste away (sarcopenia) also hurt the brain and can lead to dementia. A key link is a group of muscle‑released signals called myokines – especially IGF‑1 – that help both muscle growth and brain health. Bad blood sugar, insulin resistance, and inflammation mess up these signals, but regular exercise and good glucose control can boost the helpful myokines and protect both muscle and mind.