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Several HGH products are marketed as effective solutions to boost growth hormone levels. Some of them insist on being as effective as FDA-approved medications to treat growth hormone deficiency.
Ibutamoren, also known as MK-677, is a compound that marketers promote as a better option for treating GH low levels in terms of cost, efficiency, and easier administration. It gained popularity because it offers oral pills instead of official HGH injectables, which GH-deficient patients have to take 2-3 times a day.
Still, there’s a lack of research on MK-677 safety and efficiency, and the FDA doesn’t approve of this compound. There’s no way a person can legally buy Ibutamoren, and taking it may pose risks to your health.
Read our article to find out existing scientific evidence on MK-677 and discuss its benefits and side effects.
What is MK-677, and what effects does it cause?
Ibutamoren is a growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) that promotes growth hormone release from the pituitary gland.
Ibutamoren acts like ghrelin (the hunger hormone). Ghrelin is secreted when we feel hunger and activates ghrelin receptors in our brain. Research reveals that apart from increasing appetite, ghrelin receptors (or growth hormone secretagogue receptors) make the pituitary gland produce more HGH to balance sugar levels in the blood during fasting.
People can take MK-677 orally because of its non-peptide formula and long half-life (4-6 hours). According to studies in animals, MK-677 raises growth hormone levels 30-40 minutes after pill ingestion, and its effect lasts for a few hours. Ibutamoren is more active and tenacious than most similar products.
MK-677 increases the number of GH pulses and leads to higher insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 stimulates growth hormone anabolic effects. Some trials show Ibutamoren improves HGH’s continuous production and the effect. A randomized trial conducted in 2008, took 65 older adults and gave them 25mg of Ibutamoren daily. As a result, testees obtained IGF-1 and HGH levels equal to young adults. The study has shown that the systematic intake of Ibutamoren (for two years and more) maintains the growth hormone and IGF-1 at an optimal level.
Since Ibutamoren is still under investigation, any forms of this compound are forbidden to sell in the U.S. The studies on MK-677 effects are scarce and not diverse enough to recognize the drug as safe and effective.
Ibutamoren benefits
Several trials provide evidence that Ibutamoren significantly increases growth hormone levels. Another trial on 32 elderly people documented a 55% IGF-1 increase when taking pills for two weeks and an 88% increase by four weeks.
Investigations of MK-677 for growth hormone deficiency (GHD) are limited. The study conducted in adolescents with GHD has shown that taking MK-677 for four days promotes IGF-1 levels to indicators of GH levels for healthy older adults but how Ibutamoren acts in GH-deficient patients for a long period remains unknown. Studies on children are also scarce so it is not recommended to be used in this case.
Scientists also noticed the effect of MK-677 on lean body mass. Studies revealed that taking MK-677 for two months resulted in 6 lbs of muscle gain, partially caused by water retention. Adipose tissue remained unchanged. The mentioned earlier trial on 65 older adults also noted weight gain in the participants with no changes in fat mass. Thus, MK-677 isn’t likely to promote weight loss and muscle gain despite increasing HGH levels.
The effects of MK-677 muscle atrophy remain unknown. However, scientists noticed a slight cut in LDL levels and improved bone density. Several people who tried Ibutamoren also noticed an improved quality of sleep.
MK-677 side effects
As MK-677 acts like a hunger hormone, the most frequently noticed adverse effect is an increased appetite. But with prolonged intake of the compound, this effect decreases. Other transient side effects include:
- high prolactin cortisol, and leptin levels,
- increase endocrine hormones levels,
- decreased testosterone levels.
A two-year trial on 65 elderly individuals has revealed the following list of MK-677 side effects:
- muscle and bone pain,
- swelling,
- elevated blood sugar levels.
- increased insulin resistance.
There’s also a case of a withdrawn study of MK-677 because of a safety alert of heart failure in several participants. Because the compound is not legally approved, some pharmacies or vendors can’t guarantee product safety or quality. Wrong labeling of MK-677 as a selective androgen receptor modulator (anabolic steroid) is a common practice in illegal vendors.
MK-677 therapy results and customer reviews
The Internet is full of reviews of MK-677 that report both its benefits and side effects. The most frequent benefits indicated by the compound users are the following:
- faster recovery after training,
- increased muscle strength,
- improved quality of sleep.
Also, people try Ibutamoren for treating sports injuries. The noticed results include improved recovery of joints and tendons. However, MK-677 lacks quality control, which can lead to unpredictable outcomes. The reviews are inconsistent, and results vary in fat and muscle gain and fluid retention. Without legal regulations, MK-677 creators might modify the contents of the compound by adding unwanted ingredients so no one can be sure of its effects.
Reviewers also experienced several adverse effects of MK-677 including headaches, increased appetite, carbs cravings, increased tiredness, and swelling. The users suggest taking MK-677 before going to bed because it helps combat increased hunger and weight gain. Besides, MK-677 can be a sleep promoter.
Despite the promoted benefits of Ibutamoren, taking legal HGH therapy is a better option in terms of safety and efficacy. A professional therapist will examine your medical history and the state of your health to prescribe HGH injections adjusted to your special needs. The physician can always moderate therapy to provide you with safe and quality treatment. If you’re interested in taking HGH to improve your health, contact us and receive detailed consultation.
Comparing MK-677 with other medications
Besides MK-677, the market offers several options of drugs to promote growth hormone release. There are HGH, Ipamorelin, and GHRP.
HGH
There is a lack of information about MK-677’s long-term effects on HGH secretion in GH-deficient people. MK-677 won’t be able to affect HGH levels for patients with an extremely injured pituitary gland that can’t produce HGH anymore. There’s no evidence MK-677 can address GHD symptoms effectively.
One of the dangerous consequences of GHD is abdominal obesity. Unfortunately, Ibutamoren has no potential to reduce fat tissue and cannot be considered effective for GHD treatment.
Instead, HGH therapy is a legal way to combat GHD symptoms even if a pituitary gland is out of order. Several trials have proved HGH to be a safe and effective medication for GH-deficient patients. The only FDA-approved type of HGH medication is injections.
HGH therapy benefits include weight loss, increased bone, and muscle strength, etc.
HGH and Ibutamoren have similar side effects such as swelling, increased blood sugar levels, etc. However, MK-677 poses extra reactions such as headaches, sleepiness, and increased appetite.
Ipamorelin
Ipamorelin is another GHS that sparks ghrelin receptors. Unlike MK-677, Ipamorelin is a peptide that ruins quicker (2 hours half-life). Because of its short half-life, Ipamorelin is administered via injections several times a day. Another difference from MK-677 is that Ipamorelin doesn’t influence leptin, cortisol, and prolactin levels.
The similarities between both drugs include hunger cravings, but Ipamorelin leads to increased fat tissue. There’s a risk of gaining extra pounds of fat when taking Ipamorelin.
GHRP
Growth hormone-releasing peptides are strong catalysts of growth hormone release. GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 are the most common GHRPs that are used to increase GH levels.
They are also growth hormone secretagogues that trigger ghrelin receptors.
As peptides, they have short half-live periods (30 minutes for GHRP-2 and 2-3 hours for GHRP-6) and must also be administered with injections daily. Scientists studied both peptides more than MK-677. The GHRP-6 molecule is a source for MK-677.
Both CHRP-2 and GHRP-6 cause similar to MK-677 adverse effects such as swelling, weight gain, and increased appetite. GHRPs also boost cortisol levels.
GHRP-2 accelerates growth in children with GHD and promotes HGH and IGF-1 production better than GHRP-6.
Should you take Ibutamoren?
Health issues significantly decrease our quality of life. We become less active and experience anxiety or depression. It’s no wonder that one seeks for effective and affordable treatment to improve health. But buying unregulated medications from uncertified vendors can cost one not only money but unpredictable health complications.
Ibutamoren is a compound under investigation and yet not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Taking this drug without preliminary examinations and a prescription can pose your life in danger. It’s best to entrust your health to professionals and be sure you receive personalized medical care.
HGH injectable therapy is the safest option to increase HGH levels and combat GHD. The medication has been assessed by several clinical trials and was verified by the FDA. Taken by professional observation, HGH therapy improves body strength and promotes vitality. In case you need expert advice, contact us, and we’ll help you go through HGH therapy smoothly.
