How can I stimulate Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) production in my body?

How to Stimulate IGF-1 Production

The most effective and safest way to increase your IGF-1 levels is through optimizing your nutritional status—specifically ensuring adequate caloric intake, sufficient protein consumption, and maintaining a healthy body weight—as IGF-1 production signals nutrient availability and responds promptly to nutritional refeeding. 1

Natural Methods to Increase IGF-1

Nutritional Optimization (First-Line Approach)

Adequate energy intake is the primary driver of IGF-1 production. IGF-1 is produced predominantly by the liver in response to growth hormone, and its production signals the availability of nutrients needed for anabolic actions. 1

• Ensure sufficient total caloric intake: IGF-1 concentrations fall dramatically in malnutrition and respond promptly to refeeding. 1
• Consume adequate protein: Amino acids activate nutrient-sensing pathways (particularly the mTOR pathway) that stimulate IGF-1 production. 2
• Include carbohydrates: Carbohydrates activate the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway, though excessive intake may have long-term health trade-offs. 2

Body Weight Management

Maintaining a healthy body weight is critical for optimal IGF-1 levels. 2

• Underweight states and energy deficiency suppress IGF-1 production, creating a state of growth hormone resistance. 2
• In amenorrheic athletes with low energy availability, IGF-1 levels are characteristically low despite elevated growth hormone. 2
• Weight restoration in energy-deficient states increases IGF-1 more effectively than any pharmacological intervention. 2

Physical Activity Considerations

• Regular physical activity is important for overall health, but excessive exercise without adequate caloric compensation can suppress IGF-1. 2
• Energy availability (dietary intake minus exercise expenditure) must be sufficient to support IGF-1 production. 2

Pharmacological Methods (Medical Supervision Required)

Growth Hormone Therapy

Growth hormone is the most potent stimulator of systemic IGF-1 levels, working by directly stimulating hepatic IGF-1 production. 3

• Growth hormone administration increases serum IGF-1 and lean body mass in clinical studies. 3
• However, this therapy is expensive and associated with significant side effects including salt and water retention, impaired glucose metabolism, and when used chronically in excess, can lead to cardiac complications. 3
• This is a prescription medication requiring medical supervision and is only indicated for specific medical conditions like growth hormone deficiency. 2, 4

Direct IGF-1 Replacement

Recombinant human IGF-1 (rhIGF-1) directly increases IGF-1 levels and bone formation markers. 2, 3

• In clinical trials, rhIGF-1 combined with estrogen led to a 2.8% increase in bone mineral density in women with anorexia nervosa. 2, 3
• This is an experimental therapy not widely available and requires medical supervision. 2

Anabolic Steroids

• Low-dose anabolic steroids may increase IGF-1 through interaction with the IGF-1 system and regulation of the myostatin gene. 3
• These are controlled substances with significant side effects and legal restrictions. 3

Critical Warnings and Contraindications

Cancer Risk Considerations

Chronically elevated IGF-1 levels are associated with increased cancer risk. 2, 5

• Overweight and obesity increase cancer risk partly through elevated IGF-1 and insulin levels. 2
• Epidemiological evidence suggests that elevated IGF-1 is related to increased risk of colon, pancreatic, endometrial, breast, and prostate cancers. 5
• People with acromegaly (pathologically elevated growth hormone and IGF-1) have a two- to threefold increase in mortality, mostly from vascular disease. 2

Cardiovascular Risks

• Chronic excess GH and IGF-1 secretion results in biventricular cardiac hypertrophy and can progress to dilated cardiomyopathy. 3
• Individuals with acromegaly have significantly increased cardiovascular mortality. 2, 6

Metabolic Effects

• While IGF-1 has insulin-like effects that can lower blood glucose, growth hormone (which stimulates IGF-1) causes insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. 7, 8

Factors That Suppress IGF-1 (Avoid These)

• Oral estrogen: Suppresses hepatic IGF-1 production through first-pass liver metabolism. 2, 3
• Severe hypothyroidism: Suppresses IGF-1 generation. 2, 6
• Malnutrition or severe caloric restriction: Creates growth hormone resistance with low IGF-1. 2, 6, 1
• Severe infection: Acutely suppresses IGF-1 levels. 2

Practical Clinical Algorithm

1. Assess your current nutritional status: Are you consuming adequate calories and protein for your activity level? 1
2. Evaluate body weight: If underweight or in negative energy balance, focus on nutritional rehabilitation first. 2
3. Optimize macronutrient intake: Ensure adequate protein (amino acids) and total energy intake. 2, 1
4. Balance exercise with nutrition: If highly active, ensure energy availability is sufficient. 2
5. Consider medical evaluation only if: You have documented growth hormone deficiency or other specific medical conditions requiring treatment. 2, 4

The key pitfall to avoid is pursuing artificially elevated IGF-1 levels beyond physiological norms, as this increases long-term risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease. 2, 5 The goal should be optimizing IGF-1 within the normal physiological range through healthy nutrition and lifestyle, not supraphysiological elevation through pharmacological means.