Growth hormone: healing effects on skin
Povoa, G., Diniz, L. An. Bras. Dermatol. vol.86 no.6 Rio de Janeiro Nov./Dec. 2011.
This review article stresses the importance of Human Growth Hormone (GH) in stimulating production of Insulin Growth Factor–1 (IGF-1) which in turn acts directly on skin cells, keratinocytes and melanocytes, modulating for example, rate of growth, rate of cell division, rate of migration and maintaining cell survival.
GH assures the normal growth and development of the skin, stimulating receptors in the dermal cells, principally those in the fibroblasts, apparently using IGF-1 as a mediator of its actions in the dermis and epidermis. This interaction directly influences the skin from the earliest weeks of fetal development to old age.
If there is excessive or deficient growth hormone production, this can create significant alterations in skin structure and function.
Dr. Chris Reynolds comments:
This article is important in understanding the positive effects of wheatgrass on skin. Barley grass (all cereal grasses have similar bioactive properties) has been shown to stimulate production of growth hormone which ultimately causes increased levels of IGF-1. It is possible that wheatgrass may have a similar effect. Certainly, clinically, wheatgrass extract has a profound influence on many skin disorders including healing of neuropathic and venous ulcers, wounds and burns.