Anabolism

Anabolism and anabolic means the synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones with the storage of energy or constructive metabolism. The processes produce growth and differentiation of cells, increase in body size, and involves synthesis of complex molecules.  Anabolic hormones in the human body include testosterone, insulin, growth hormone, and Insulin-Like Growth Factors or IGF. These hormones promote tissue growth. Resistance training promotes tissue growth in part by increasing these hormones. Muscle growth is dependent on an increase in protein synthesis and decrease in protein breakdown. The hormonal system supports normal biological function and response to external stimuli such as exercise and especially resistance training.

Hormones are secreted before and after resistance training. Muscle remodeling is due to production of anabolic hormones. Testosterone plays a primary role in development of skeletal muscle tissue. Testosterone is an eighteen-carbon derivative of cholesterol that is produced by the Leydig cells of the testes in response to luteinizing hormone that is secreted by the adenohypophysis or anterior pituitary gland. Testosterone is a steroid because it is derived from cholesterol that passes through the cell membrane into the nucleus of the cell to stimulate the Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid (DNA) to exert its effect. Being a cholesterol derivative allows it to pass through the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane to initiate an anabolic effect. Other growth factors that are not steroids will bind the outside of the cell and use intermediates within the cell to exert its effects. All substances that are classified as steroids are cholesterol related and pass through the bilayer into the nucleus. Testosterone has very anabolic properties.

Testosterone levels are typically highest in the morning and drop during the day. This makes gains in the morning easier, but training in the afternoon makes testosterone levels higher throughout the entire day. Resistance training enhances testosterone output. This is especially true when done by large muscle groups with high intensity being eighty to ninety percent of one repetition maximum or combination of high volume, multiple sets with short rest periods of thirty seconds to one minute.

Growth hormone (GH) is called somatotropin and is secreted by the anterior pituitary. GH is a one hundred ninety-one amino acid hormone that is important for normal development of children, but also adapts muscles to resistance training. Growth hormone decreases the use of glucose and increases lipolysis or fat breakdown and usage while promoting protein synthesis and immune function. GH is produced most abundantly during deep REM sleep. Exercise especially weight bearing and resistance training increase GH production. The largest boosts are exhibited using three sets of approximately ten repetitions with one minute rest intervals. A combination of protein, carbohydrates, and fat should be consumed before and after workouts. Vibration therapy research has proven to demonstrate up to a four-hundred percent increase in natural growth hormone production.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor or IGF-1 is produced by the liver in response to growth hormone. As the name implies, it works very much like insulin by allowing sugar into tissues supplying the energy for protein synthesis. Responses of IGF-1 to exercise at this point remain unclear and are currently being investigated.

Insulin is a fifty-one-amino acid polypeptide produced in the pancreas by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans. Insulin is produced in response to arise in blood glucose. After the body absorbs food, the beta cells release insulin which enables the liver, muscles, and fat tissues to take up glucose. Organs and tissues can use glucose as an energy source or store it as glycogen or fat. Insulin is anabolic and thought of as a storage hormone. It allows glucose entry into tissues for energy and storage which may play a beneficial role in muscle hypertrophy. Although it has its effect on sugar metabolism, it provides energy to benefit deposition of contractile proteins in muscle fibers. Individuals interested in gaining muscle for aesthetics or athletic performance can use the techniques described to maximize the effects of the body’s anabolic hormones. Please visit tpnbodyperfect.com and view our innovative nutrition software demonstration.