Remedy Routes
    Metabolic
    Moderate Evidence

    Insulin-Like Growth Factor

    Balanced IGF-1 levels for tissue growth and repair.

    TL;DR

    IGF-1 is a balance, not a maximise-or-minimise target: too low impairs muscle and bone, too high is associated with cancer risk. Protein intake and training set the level in most people.

    Why It Matters

    IGF-1 mediates most growth hormone effects on muscle, bone and tissue repair. Low levels in older adults track frailty and poor recovery, while high-normal levels have been associated in cohort studies with increased prostate and breast cancer risk.

    How to Measure

    Biomarkers

    Serum IGF-1 (age-adjusted)
    IGFBP-3
    Protein intake
    Fasting insulin
    Lean body mass

    Optimization Protocol

    Consume adequate protein at 1.2-1.6 g/kg for most adults and train with resistance to support the anabolic response. Avoid deliberately pushing IGF-1 above the age-appropriate range. If levels are low, check for undernutrition, hypothyroidism or liver disease before considering endocrine causes.

    Supporting Supplements

    Whey Protein

    Compound
    Likely effective
    Moderate Evidence

    Adequate protein, including whey, supports IGF-1 in older adults where intake is low.

    Resveratrol

    Compound
    Insufficient evidence
    Preliminary

    Resveratrol does not reliably alter IGF-1 in humans and may blunt training adaptation.

    NMN

    Compound
    Insufficient evidence
    Preliminary

    NMN has no established effect on IGF-1 in humans.

    Supporting Research

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What does IGF-1 do?
    It mediates most of growth hormone's effects on tissue growth and repair. Levels are highest in adolescence and decline gradually with age.
    Should IGF-1 be raised?
    Not as a general goal. Both low and high levels associate with poorer outcomes, and higher IGF-1 correlates with some cancer risks in observational work.
    Does protein intake affect IGF-1?
    Yes. Higher protein and total energy intake raise IGF-1, and dairy in particular is associated with modest increases of around 10-15% in observational studies.
    Do supplements change IGF-1?
    Few do meaningfully. Products marketed as GH or IGF-1 boosters, including deer antler velvet, lack credible human evidence.
    Does fasting lower IGF-1?
    Prolonged fasting and sustained energy restriction lower IGF-1, which is part of the longevity rationale for those approaches. Human outcome data remains limited.
    When is IGF-1 tested clinically?
    In suspected growth hormone deficiency or acromegaly. It is not a useful wellness or ageing marker on its own.

    Typical Timeframe

    8-12 weeks

    Research Summary

    Studies9
    Supplements3
    Evidence
    Moderate Evidence

    My Notes

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    This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.