IGF-1 DES

How it works

IGF-1, growth hormone's messenger, minus its first three amino acids so blood proteins trap it less. Sold for local muscle growth.

What it's made of

IGF-1 (70 amino acids) without the first 3: glycine, proline and glutamate (GPE). Without them, the blood proteins that hold it back trap it less well. It exists in nature: it was isolated in 1986 from human fetal brain.

What it's for

Prescribed for

Nothing. Whole IGF-1 (mecasermin, Increlex) is approved for a rare deficiency in children.

Sold as

Stronger, local IGF-1: muscle right where you inject it.