Growth hormone-releasing products have been around for a long
time, but the truth is they don’t work quite as well
as advertisers claim. Let me give you some background information,
so you will have a better understanding of your body’s
growth hormone (GH) response and be able to make an educated
choice about whether to try these supplements.
GH is a peptide hormone (many amino acids linked together).
It’s secreted by the anterior pituitary gland in pulsatile
patterns throughout the day, but especially after intense
exercise and during sleep. It is responsible for the growth
and maintenance of almost all tissues in the body. Interestingly,
GH lasts only a few minutes in the bloodstream. Upon release,
it’s rapidly taken up by the liver and metabolized into
insulin like growth factor (IGF).
Growth hormone and growth factors haven’t been studied
with the same rigor and thoroughness as other hormones. Science
has only begun to unravel the mystery of GH, including conditions
that may alter its release.
• Arginine The intravenous infusion
of the amino arginine produces a relatively consistent
increase in GH secretion in normal healthy subjects. Arginine is therefore used by endocrinologists to test individuals
for proper pituitary function.
If a patient is suspected of having a problem secreting
GH, his or her doctor performs an amino acid infusion
test. The doctor injects an arginine solution directly
into the patient’s circulatory system. The physician
then takes blood samples at different time intervals to
measure whether the pituitary is functioning normally.
This medical test has been the basis for claims made by
marketers of GH-releasing supplements. Taking an intravenous
infusion of amino acids, though, is a world away from
taking these substances orally. It has never been consistently
demonstrated that oral administration of arginine produces
a similar rise in GH, or even that a small increase in
GH would mediate an anabolic response in skeletal muscle. |
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One investigation conducted by researchers in Italy (A.
Isidori et al., “A study of growth hormone release in
man after oral administration of amino acids,” Current
Medical Research and Opinion, 7[7]:475-81, 1981) may have
set the stage for future research in this area. Arginine pyroglutamate
(L-arginine2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylate) was combined with
L-lysine hydrochloride and given orally in doses of 1.5 grams
(g) of each amino. Fifteen males between the ages of 15 and
20 were given the aminos, and then tested for increases in
biologically active GH. Results showed elevations in GH approximately
two to eight times above baseline values 30-90 minutes after
the subjects swallowed the compound. Plasma insulin levels
also increased. While this sounds promising, remember that
the rise in GH was short-lived and relatively small compared
to amounts athletes would require to produce increases in
muscle mass.
• Ornithine The other
amino acid used in these products is ornithine, which
is very potent in stimulating GH release via intravenous
infusion. Interestingly, it also appears to be effective
when given orally. In one study using bodybuilders as
subjects, Luke Bucci, PHD, examined various oral doses
of ornithine and resultant GH release (L. Bucci et at.,
“Ornithine ingestion and growth hormone release
in bodybuilders,” Nutrition Research, 10:239, 1990).
Doses up to 12 g were used, and they produced varying
effects on GH. Only the 12-g dose, however, caused a significant,
albeit transitory, rise in GH. Still, that increase, while
statistically significant, isn’t remotely comparable
to the increase produced by an actual GH injection. In
fact, the increase in GH observed in this study was less
than that typically occurring in normal subjects during
sleep. One more thought: High doses of ornithine administered
orally can also cause stomach cramping and diarrhea.
Increasing GH levels might be tempting. Supplementing
with ornithine does not appear to be a good choice to
achieve higher
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| levels, though, considering the amount
of ornithine needed (12 g or more) to do so, and the possible
side effects of stomach discomfort and bowel problems.
If your stomach is upset and you get diarrhea, you’re
more than likely to miss meals and/or not absorb nutrients
efficiently. Not getting enough food will surely limit
your gains, even if you do increase your GH secretion. |
Based on available research, the doses of this amino marketed
to bodybuilders (two to three grams per day) would have no
effect on GH levels and hence would not augment muscle mass
or strength.
It’s also important to understand a little about protein
breakdown and absorption in your body. Studies have demonstrated
that single amino acids are not absorbed well by the gastrointestinal
tract; instead, the body seems to prefer dipeptides and tripeptides
(two and three amino acids linked together). Thus, as far
as uptake by the body goes, oral administration of single
amino acids, like arginine and ornithine, appears to be inefficient.
Don’t waste your hard-earned money on these types of
over-the-counter secretagogues or “GH releasers.”
There are several other kinds of GH releasers on the market
now that are pretty interesting.
For now, you would be better off spending your money on a
good whey protein powder, glutamine and a quality creatine supplement, as well as filling your refrigerator with nutritious
muscle-building foods like steak, chicken breasts, fish, eggs,
oatmeal, rice and fresh vegetables. The real way to grow is
not by taking GH enhancers, but by engaging in a solid training/nutrition
program and getting plenty of rest.
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