What is IGF-1?
Insulin-like growth factor-1, aka IGF-1, is a protein that consists of 70 amino acids. It plays a critical role in the growth of almost every cell in the human body, especially skeletal muscle, bone, kidneys, nerves, skin, and lungs. It helps regulate nerve cell growth and development. This may play a critical role in maintaining cognitive ability.
Young infants do not have high levels of IGF-1. As the infant starts to grow, IGF-1 levels start rising. Levels reach their highest point during the adolescent years. The body begins to slow down production of IGF-1 as a person grows older. Levels of IGF-1 continue to decline, reach infancy levels when a person reaches old age. …show more content…
Saad Sami Al Sogair, brought forward new evidence that IGF-1 plays a major role in the appearance of aging and wrinkled skin. This study was presented at the 20th World Congress of Aesthetic Medicine in Miami, Florida.
Dr. Al Sogair's study looked at the levels of IGF-1 and various health conditions. The study found that people who had low levels of IGF-1 had many conditions that were considered signs of aging. A few examples include cognitive decline, higher mortality rates, more heart disease, frailty and a weaker hand grip.
On the other end of the scale, people who have higher levels of IGF-1 are perceived to be younger and have fewer wrinkles. They tended to have average less cognitive decline, lower mortality rates, less heart disease and a stronger grip.
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