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Nocturnal Growth Factor Release

Meaning

Nocturnal Growth Factor Release is the highly specific, pulsatile secretion of key anabolic and regenerative hormones, primarily Growth Hormone (GH), that occurs predominantly during the deep slow-wave stages of sleep. This significant overnight pulse is responsible for driving the majority of daily tissue repair, lipolysis, and protein synthesis. The clinical relevance lies in the direct link between sleep quality, specifically deep sleep duration, and the magnitude of this restorative hormonal surge. Impairment of this release pattern is a major contributor to age-related sarcopenia and reduced metabolic rate.