Growth Factors for the Human Body

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Insane Growth Factors: Nutrition Strategies To Supersize Your Physique Food is fuel. Certain foods have the potential to skyrocket your muscle growth. Get the skinny on which fuel sources can help you get big! * * * EMAILMORE SHARE by Jim Stoppani, PhD. Nov 09, 2012 In "Mega Growth Factors," Part 1 of our two-part series on insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), published in the March 2012 issue of FLEX, we covered the difference between circulating IGF-1 and locally produced IGF-1 in the muscle and how to maximize both through different training techniques. Although there is some debate over the benefits of high circulating IGF-1 levels, it is still too early to count out this powerful growth factor. In Part 2, we discuss how to boost IGF-1 levels both in the bloodstream and in the muscle through diet and supplements. These strategies should be used in conjunction with the training strategies covered in Part 1 for best results. Growth Factor Feeding Although the foods we eat are often thought of as just a means to getting the proper macronutrients (protein, carbs, and fat) into our bodies, food has a powerful impact on our body's physiology and biochemistry. For example, some nutrients, such as omega-3 fats, have been found to turn on and turn off certain genes. So it should come as no surprise that the diet you follow can impact your levels of IGF-1. Use these four feeding strategies to help keep your IGF-1 levels on the high side. Be A Carnivore /// HOW IT WORKS: Research confirms that a diet high in protein is associated with higher circulating IGF-1 levels. Particularly, diets higher in animal proteins have been shown to increase circulating IGF-1 levels. Researchers from the United Kingdom have reported that vegans have IGF-1 levels that are about 15 percent lower than meat eaters and have IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 (two IGF binding proteins

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