teddy101
born to cope but only hopes
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You may be wondering what the hell I'm suggesting with such a high-promise idea. Well, it's obesity... but hold up I'm not claiming obesity itself is the hero here. It's the chronically high insulin levels that often come with it.
This is completely theoretical. No personal experiments, no physical proof from me, just logical connecting of dots from existing peer-reviewed studies. Correlations, not proven causation. Obesity carries serious long-term health risks (insulin resistance, diabetes, inflammation, heart issues, etc.), and I'm not recommending anyone pursue weight gain or hormone hacking. Growth plates fuse after puberty, so any real-world height impact in adults is extremely limited at best. This is for discussion and curiosity only. If you're thinking of trying anything, talk to actual doctors don't be dumb.
I've pulled together 28 studies (full numbered list at the bottom). Anytime I make a claim, I'll reference the specific ones so you can check them yourself. Happy to fix mistakes if you spot them.
Studies like #1, #3, #4, #6, #8, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, and #17 back this up strongly. Obese individuals show this "normal" growth factor activity despite the low GH, and the most plausible mechanism pointed to again and again is insulin-driven blockage/reduction of those binding proteins.
The pattern: Obese individuals tend to be bigger and wider skeletally overall longer mandibular length, maxillary length, greater face height, more bimaxillary prognathism (forward jaw positioning). They often have accelerated bone maturation, which can mean they "finish growing" earlier, leading to similar final height to peers in many cases. But the facial dimensions (mandible, maxilla, anterior face height) frequently end up larger. Some facial growth (especially certain sutures and condylar areas) can continue or be influenced longer than long-bone epiphyseal plates.2
The remaining studies in the list also support the obesity → higher free IGF-1 correlation.
Obesity → Hyperinsulinemia (chronically elevated insulin) → Decreased IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 → Increased free (bioavailable) IGF-1 → Potential for accelerated skeletal maturation + larger craniofacial dimensions (mandibular length, maxillary length, face height).
That's the core hypothesis. IGF-1 is a major driver of bone and cartilage growth, so it makes biological sense on paper.
Speculative extension (even more theoretical): If we could somehow slow epiphyseal plate closure (e.g., with things like aromatase inhibitors/AIs that reduce estrogen's role in closure), combined with the above, maybe bigger height potential. But to offset the downsides of excess fat inflammation, negative hormone shifts, etc. the smarter approach might be bulking with a focus on muscle via HIT (high-intensity training/resistance work) rather than just getting fat. That could theoretically give some of the insulin effect while mitigating other problems. Again, pure logic, massive risks, not advice.
While I'm online, I'll reply to comments. If you have counterpoints, questions, better studies, or spot holes/misconceptions in my reasoning, hit me with them. Suggestions on what to add to the guide would be awesome too.
What do you think of the overall logic? Does this track biologically? Any major red flags or things I'm missing? Should I emphasize certain risks more? Let's discuss.
Full list of studies referenced (numbered as I used them):
1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9152736/
2. https://www.nature.com/articles/0800412
3. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/110/3/e622/7658383
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7476310/
5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0026049595902198
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19470623/
7. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/94/8/3093/2597545
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11595780/
9. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1038/oby.2001.83
10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29679919/
11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9215275/
12. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3308317/
13. https://erc.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/erc/19/5/F27.xml
14. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2024.1456195/full
15. https://www.e-enm.org/journal/view.php?doi=10.3803/EnM.2024.101
16. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21623945.2022.2148886
17. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2021.727004/full
18. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-23521-1
19. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/7/3966
20. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37932128/
21. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10783153/
22. https://academic.oup.com/ejo/article/46/1/cjad043/7325271
23. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12222641/
24. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16009667/
25. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/3/377
26. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40556469/
27. https://academic.oup.com/ejo/article-abstract/47/4/cjaf044/8173223
28. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003996920303423
This is completely theoretical. No personal experiments, no physical proof from me, just logical connecting of dots from existing peer-reviewed studies. Correlations, not proven causation. Obesity carries serious long-term health risks (insulin resistance, diabetes, inflammation, heart issues, etc.), and I'm not recommending anyone pursue weight gain or hormone hacking. Growth plates fuse after puberty, so any real-world height impact in adults is extremely limited at best. This is for discussion and curiosity only. If you're thinking of trying anything, talk to actual doctors don't be dumb.
I've pulled together 28 studies (full numbered list at the bottom). Anytime I make a claim, I'll reference the specific ones so you can check them yourself. Happy to fix mistakes if you spot them.
The Key Studies on Insulin, IGFBPs, and Free IGF-1
Multiple papers show a consistent pattern in obesity: people often have lower growth hormone (GH) but still maintain decent or elevated free (bioavailable) IGF-1. Why? High insulin seems to play a big role by suppressing IGF-binding proteins (especially IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2), which normally keep IGF-1 bound and less active.1Studies like #1, #3, #4, #6, #8, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, and #17 back this up strongly. Obese individuals show this "normal" growth factor activity despite the low GH, and the most plausible mechanism pointed to again and again is insulin-driven blockage/reduction of those binding proteins.
What the Research Shows on Height and Facial Growth
Other studies (#20, #21, #22, #23, #24, #25, #26, #27, #28) look at actual body and face measurements in obese vs. normal-weight people (mostly adolescents, where growth is still active).The pattern: Obese individuals tend to be bigger and wider skeletally overall longer mandibular length, maxillary length, greater face height, more bimaxillary prognathism (forward jaw positioning). They often have accelerated bone maturation, which can mean they "finish growing" earlier, leading to similar final height to peers in many cases. But the facial dimensions (mandible, maxilla, anterior face height) frequently end up larger. Some facial growth (especially certain sutures and condylar areas) can continue or be influenced longer than long-bone epiphyseal plates.2
The remaining studies in the list also support the obesity → higher free IGF-1 correlation.
My Logical Chain of Thought
Putting it together step by step:Obesity → Hyperinsulinemia (chronically elevated insulin) → Decreased IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 → Increased free (bioavailable) IGF-1 → Potential for accelerated skeletal maturation + larger craniofacial dimensions (mandibular length, maxillary length, face height).
That's the core hypothesis. IGF-1 is a major driver of bone and cartilage growth, so it makes biological sense on paper.
Speculative extension (even more theoretical): If we could somehow slow epiphyseal plate closure (e.g., with things like aromatase inhibitors/AIs that reduce estrogen's role in closure), combined with the above, maybe bigger height potential. But to offset the downsides of excess fat inflammation, negative hormone shifts, etc. the smarter approach might be bulking with a focus on muscle via HIT (high-intensity training/resistance work) rather than just getting fat. That could theoretically give some of the insulin effect while mitigating other problems. Again, pure logic, massive risks, not advice.
My Next Plan
I want to research more and put together a proper theoretical guide on how someone might approach this carefully and "properly" (if such a thing even exists in speculation land). More reading on timing, mitigating sides, monitoring, etc.While I'm online, I'll reply to comments. If you have counterpoints, questions, better studies, or spot holes/misconceptions in my reasoning, hit me with them. Suggestions on what to add to the guide would be awesome too.
What do you think of the overall logic? Does this track biologically? Any major red flags or things I'm missing? Should I emphasize certain risks more? Let's discuss.
Full list of studies referenced (numbered as I used them):
1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9152736/
2. https://www.nature.com/articles/0800412
3. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/110/3/e622/7658383
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7476310/
5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0026049595902198
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19470623/
7. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/94/8/3093/2597545
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11595780/
9. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1038/oby.2001.83
10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29679919/
11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9215275/
12. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3308317/
13. https://erc.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/erc/19/5/F27.xml
14. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2024.1456195/full
15. https://www.e-enm.org/journal/view.php?doi=10.3803/EnM.2024.101
16. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21623945.2022.2148886
17. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2021.727004/full
18. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-23521-1
19. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/7/3966
20. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37932128/
21. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10783153/
22. https://academic.oup.com/ejo/article/46/1/cjad043/7325271
23. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12222641/
24. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16009667/
25. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/3/377
26. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40556469/
27. https://academic.oup.com/ejo/article-abstract/47/4/cjaf044/8173223
28. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003996920303423

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