IGF-1: What Is It? How Does It Work? [2023]

IGF-1 is a substance that has become very common within the bodybuilding community. The chemical can provide incredible gains in a short amount of time and according to our current knowledge, it is relatively safe for the human body.

Like similar chemicals, IGF-1 is a substance that can have a major impact on muscle mass. It cannot be used by professional athletes, but that doesn’t make it less popular. In fact, you can find the product in numerous online stores such as Evolve Clinics Research.

In this article, we will analyze some of its main features and how they might impact the human body.

What is IGF-1?

IGF-1 stands for Insulin-life Growth Factor. It is a chain of amino acids that are meant to replicate the naturally produced substance. It is an analog of IGF-1, with 83 amino acids in the chain.

The substance has strong anabolic properties, and it is mainly released in the liver. The chemical is able to stimulate human growth hormone or HGH, thus causing numerous improvements within the body.

IGF-1 has almost the same structure and size as naturally occurring insulin. It is a peptide molecule that our bodies utilize to increase the synthesis of protein and to promote nitrogen retention.

The substance has a direct impact on the muscles. Not only will it cause additional development of cells and fibers, but it also provides a certain level of tissue protection.

Because of all this, experts believe that IGF-1 can provide great results for building muscles. In the worst-case scenario, the chemical should at least prevent the loss of muscles.

As such, researchers theorize that IGF-1 can be utilized for certain muscle-wasting conditions. However, we still don’t have enough clinical data that would corroborate these claims.

Is IGF-1 a prescribed drug?

The legality of IFG-1 varies from country to country. If we’re talking about the US, the substance can be prescribed for certain medical conditions such as:

• Children’s hormone deficiency that leads to stunted development
• Hormone deficiency in adults and elderly
• As a treatment for hormonal deficiency in cases where a body cannot secrete enough GH
• Bowel syndrome disorder
• Long-term therapy for stunted development caused by Turner syndrome
• Muscle-wasting conditions that are a result of AIDS and HIV
• Some other forms of hormonal deficiency

Why do people use IGF-1?

IGF-1 can be utilized for all sorts of medical problems connected to the lack of GH. However, it is even more common as a muscle-building product. The substance can cause hyperplasia making it an ideal chemical for amateur athletes who want to improve their physical appearance and strength.

When a person uses steroids, they go through the process of hypertrophy. During this time, they will increase the size of existing muscles cells in the body. IGF-1 works a bit differently.

Not only does it increase the size of the current cells, but it will also cause the production of new cells within the tissue. In other words, it can increase the overall density of the muscles, thus allowing us to exceed our genetic limits.

With steroids, a person will experience a weight gain due to retention of water. This is not the case with IGF-1, as this product will cause actual growth of the tissue.

What’s even better, these results will stay even when you stop using the substance. The product is much safer, which is why more and more bodybuilders are switching from steroids to SARMs and peptides.

The most common benefits

IGF-1 can cause all sorts of improvements to your body. However, it is sometimes hard to tell what kind of a boost you’re going to get.

As mentioned, the product should at least prevent muscle wasting. If you’re exercising regularly, you might notice massive gains in a short period of time.

Here are some of the things you might expect when using IGF-1:

• Muscle hypertrophy
• It helps preserve current muscle mass
• Improves muscle quality and recovery
• It might have a protective and regenerative feature
• More strength and endurance leading to better athletic results
• Fat burning and utilization of fat as a primary energy source
• Overall improvement of metabolic processes
• Increased protein synthesis
• Potential regeneration of the nerve tissue
• Various anti-oxidant boosts

The most common side effects

During a GH treatment, a certified doctor will have to monitor your vital signs. For example, a medical professional should check glucose, cholesterol, bone density, etc., while you’re taking growth hormone injections.

Taking these products can have a major impact on how our organism responds to insulin. The chemical affects the levels of glucose, which is why any minor change can lead to serious consequences.

While most experts consider IGF-1 as relatively safe, it can cause a few issues. These drawbacks are very rare, but they can occur nevertheless.

Here are some of the things you might experience after taking these products:

• Swelling
• Numbness
• Muscle and joint pain
• Nausea
• Headache
• Hypoglycemia
• Potentially increased risk of developing cancer

Given that IGF-1 is a long-term therapy, these side effects will likely persist. So, if you notice any of these issues, you need to consult with a doctor immediately. Some people should take the product altogether.

Here are some of the main risk groups:

• People with a history of cancer
• Individuals who have severe or chronic medical conditions
• People who don’t have a GH deficiency
• Patients who have suffered multiple traumas
• Those with breathing issues
• People who had issues with IGF-1 in the past

How to administer IGF-1?

IGF-1 comes in several shapes and forms. They also vary in terms of their strength.

Commonly, a product is sold in 100 mcg per 2 ml vial. Experts suggest that you go with 20 to 50 mcg SQ/IM every day for up to 7 weeks. You will likely experience desensitization after 6 weeks of usage.

If you wish to buy IGF-1, you should always go with reputable sources such as Evolve Clinics Research. Our company has the highest quality substances, and we can give you good instructions as to how to properly use them.