Insulin-like growth factor-1 (also known as somatomedin С, IGF-1) is a peptide hormone, which is similar to insulin. It is the main intermediate of growth hormone activity. Therefore it is responsible for childhood growth and besides produces anabolic effect in adults, initiating muscular hyperplasia.
Its effects are identical to the effects of human growth hormone (HGH), however the latter doesn’t act independently. Today we know that HGH forces the liver to release IGF-1 into the blood, which in turn produces “growth hormone effects” – fat burning, growth of muscle fibers etc.
IGF-1 has different varieties: Mechanical Growth Factor (MGF), LR3, DES. IGF is taken parenterally (using syringe). 100 mcg of IGF-1 is equal to 16-25 IU of HGH.
IGF-1 LR3 and IGF-1 DES
There are several types of IGF-1: IGF-1 LR3 and IGF-1 DES. Since the natural molecule (70 amino-acids) has rather short half-life (about twenty minutes) its effects are short-term. Therefore scientists modified the molecule and created 2 stable peptides: IGF-1 LR3 (83 amino-acid residues) and IGF-1 DES (67 amino-acid residues).
Both types have common effects with endogenous IGF-1, but different in strength and duration of action. IGF-1 LR3 is about 2 times stronger than endogenous IGF-1, its half-life is about 25 hours. It effectively prevents the uptake of glucose, thus making the organism burn fats as a source of energy.
IGF-1 DES lacks the first three amino-acid residues of natural sequence, therefore it does not bind to plasma proteins. It is about 10 times more active than natural analogue, its half-life is about 30 minutes. As for bodybuilding purposes, IGF-1 DES is more preferable, since it affects more receptors simultaneously, including those that were affected by lactic acid. Therefore it is more efficient in initiating muscular hyperplasia than IGF-1 LR3.
Though they are not yet clinically tested, there are reports about their application in bodybuilding and both types showed great results.
According to these reports IGF-1 LR3 injections were administered every day at the dose 50-150 μg. Desensitization occurs in 3-4 weeks.
Due to shorter half-life one can make IGF-1 DES injections (50-150μg) several times a day, preferably before and after training. The usual length of a cycle is four weeks.
Effects of Insulin-like growth factor-1
The main advantage of this substance is stimulation of muscular hyperplasia. This is especially important for aged athletes, as it is rather difficult to initiate muscular hyperplasia with age.
You can achieve optimal results by combining IGF-1 injections with special training: 10-12 sets per muscle group with 12-20 repetitions per set (with a minimum pause between sets). Follow a protein-and-carbohydrate rich diet during your cycle.
Besides IGF-1 has fat burning effect. In this aspect it is more efficient than synthetic :somatropin:. However, it has quite different mechanism of action, therefore one can expect synergistic effect in combination of IGF-1 with HGH.
Conclusions
The optimal dose of Insulin-like growth factor-1 is 100 μg per day. You can make local injections (to stimulate definite group of muscles) or systemic (to achieve fat burning effect). There are reports that daily injections are not necessary, the optimal solution is 2-4 injections per week (on training days).
While using this substance one should be very attentive to your body, since it can also stimulate the growth of different kinds of tumor.
IGF-1 has also beneficial effect on cardiovascular system and can restore heart muscle.
The effect of IGF-1 on female organism is not yet studied. However, it becomes a very promising substance for fat burning issues.
You can buy IGF-1 Qui.