Does growth hormone promote muscle growth?
Yes, but its effect is indirect and less pronounced compared to anabolic steroids.
Growth hormone (human growth hormone) doesn't directly "promote" muscle growth like testosterone or anabolic steroids. Instead, it supports muscle growth and recovery by altering the body's environment.
How it helps muscle growth:
Growth hormone primarily works by stimulating IGF-1, leading to:
Enhancing the protein synthesis environment,
Promoting tissue repair,
Helping muscles recover faster after training,
Improving recovery efficiency,
Shortening recovery time between workouts,
Increasing training intensity tolerance,
Increasing lean body mass,
Over time, lean body mass will increase to some extent
(Some of this may be water and connective tissue, not pure muscle fibers).
Fat loss effect (important):
Promoting fat breakdown,
Making muscle definition more pronounced by reducing fat content.