Growth Factors: What They Are, How They Work, and What You Need to Know

When your body heals a cut, rebuilds muscle after exercise, or replaces old cells, it’s not just luck—it’s growth factors, protein signals that tell cells when to grow, divide, or repair. Also known as cytokines, these tiny messengers are behind nearly every process that keeps your tissues alive and functioning. Without them, wounds wouldn’t close, bones wouldn’t mend, and your body couldn’t adapt to stress.

Growth factors don’t work alone. They interact with hormone regulation, the system that controls metabolism, energy, and recovery, and influence how your cells respond to injury or disease. For example, when you have a torn ligament, growth factors like PDGF and VEGF rush to the site to recruit repair cells and build new blood vessels. In diabetes or chronic inflammation, this system can go off track—leading to slow healing or abnormal tissue growth. That’s why doctors now look at growth factor levels when evaluating conditions from arthritis to wound care.

They’re also tied to tissue repair, the body’s natural ability to restore damaged structures. Whether it’s skin after a burn, nerve tissue after injury, or even the lining of your gut, growth factors are the first responders. But here’s the catch: too much of them can fuel unwanted growth—like in some cancers—while too little can leave you stuck in recovery mode. That’s why research is now focused on using them as targeted therapies, not just general boosters.

You won’t find growth factors listed on supplement labels like vitamin D or omega-3s, but they’re behind many of the treatments you’ve heard about—platelet-rich plasma therapy, wound gels, even some anti-aging creams. The science is real, but the market is full of hype. What actually works? What’s backed by studies? And when should you be cautious? The posts below cut through the noise. You’ll find clear breakdowns of how growth factors interact with medications, what they mean for chronic conditions, and how your body’s own signaling system can be supported—or disrupted—by everyday choices.