Dear Ms.
HGH, or human growth hormone, is the chemical that is greatly involved in the elongation and growth of human tissue, particularly skeletal muscle and bones. It is one of the hormones, utilized by athletes to gain an unfair advantage by increasing ones strength and endurance. As pointed out by Dr. Suske, it is in greatest production during the "growth spurts" in human development and after puberty, it's decline causes a fusion of the growth plates of bones. At this point, the person no longer can get taller. This occurs sooner for females then it does males, but growth is completed for most individuals by the age of 25.

There is another growth phenomenon occurring which is ongoing throughout life. Osteoblasts are the cells that cause bone growth and remolding. They are in increased activity when the body need to heal a broken bone. Osteoclasts are the cells which remove old bone and the two are always working in concert. This is how bone replenishes itself and repairs after injury. This process never ends, however, it is more active in our youth. Kids heal faster than the elderly, but both will heal.

Gerry Lane