The the most important aspect of regulating body weight is energy balance, defined as energy consumption minus energy expenditure. It has been shown that lowering the consumption side of the equation only slows the expenditure side, ensuring that stored energy in the body is not depleted and starvation is avoided. Since this approach fails to achieve permanent fat loss, a better approach may be to increase the expenditure side of the equation through exercise and training. Metabolic rate is the bodyís rate of energy expenditure and consists of basal metabolic rate (BMR), the thermic effect of feeding (TEF), the thermic effect of activity (TEA) and adpative thermogenesis. Metabolic rate is affected by diet, exercise and lifestyle

Growth hormone is the most anabolic substance in the human body, meaning it acts to promote incorporation of nutrients into new body tissues. Part of this effect is due to GH promoting the transport of certain amino acids inside muscles. Insulin also acts to transport a different set of essential amino acids, so you need both at the same time to stimulate muscle growth. The most important role of growth hormone in the body is to promote growth during childhood. GH promotes growth of all tissues in the body, except the nervous system. GH reach maximal levels in the late teens and gradually decline with age. This bulletin also goes through a question and answer section detailing more scientific information in regards to growth hormone as well as the other hormones which play a major role in muscle growth and fat loss.