Your body produces human growth hormone, HGH, to facilitate tissue construction and repair. Chemists can manufacture a synthetic version of this pituitary hormone. Doctors prescribe the latter type of HGH to treat patients with growth hormone deficiency, according to a June 2011 review in the "European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics." A few over-the-counter supplements can safely increase your HGH. Such products cause side effects in some people. Talk to your doctor before trying to increase your HGH levels.
Beta-Hydroxy-Beta-Methylbutyrate
Supplement makers combine multiple ingredients known to have an enhancing effect on muscle growth. Some of these products include beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, HMB. This substance prevents muscle loss, according to a June 2011 report in the "American Journal of Physiology." The mechanisms underlying these anabolic effects remain unknown, but they could involve an HMB-induced enhancement of growth hormone. A study described in the May 2009 issue of "Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise" tested this hypothesis in healthy men. Participants received the supplement or a placebo each day for three months. The HMB product increased growth hormone and testosterone without causing side effects.
Citrulline
Nutrition companies often include amino acids in their anabolic supplements as well. Substances such as citrulline -- made from watermelon rinds -- play an important role in the immune system. Citrulline increases growth hormone levels in laboratory animals, according to a January 2004 article in "Neuroendocrinology." An experiment presented in the September 2010 edition of the "European Journal of Applied Physiology" attempted to replicate these findings in male cyclists. The subjects received citrulline or placebo two hours before a long road race. Just cycling increased growth hormone in both groups, but participants given the amino acid had the largest increases in HGH. Citrulline intake did not cause adverse events.
Arginine and Ornithine
Other amino acids also affect the immune system. Arginine and ornithine contribute to the urea cycle -- the body's natural way of eliminating ammonia. These amino acids play an important role in healing as well, according to a July 2006 review in "Wound Repair and Regeneration." Increases in growth hormone might mediate these effects. An investigation published in the April 2010 issue of the "Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research" explored this possibility in healthy adults. Subjects received the supplement or a placebo during three weeks of weight lifting. When training ended, volunteers given the arginine and ornithine had greater levels of HGH during an exercise challenge. No athlete experienced allergic reactions while taking the amino acids.
Ornithine-Alpha-Ketoglutarate
Patients can also obtain the benefits of amino acid supplements by taking a related substance known as ornithine-alpha-ketoglutarate, OKG. This compound -- made from arginine and ornithine -- helps burn victims recover more quickly, according to an October 2004 review in the "Journal of Nutrition." Growth hormone probably contributes to these healing effects. A clinical trial offered in the August 1999 edition of "Clinical Nutrition" looked at the impact of giving OKG to trauma patients. Participants received the supplement during the first few days after their accident. This treatment increased growth hormone and insulin. The patients did not report OKG-related side effects.
References
- European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics; Human Growth Hormone: New Delivery Systems, Alternative Routes of Administration, and Their Pharmacological Relevance; J. Cazares-Delgadillo, et al. June 2011
- American Journal of Physiology; Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate Reduces Myonuclear Apoptosis During Recovery From Hind Limb Suspension-Induced Muscle Fiber Atrophy in Aged Rats; Yanlei Hao, et al.; June 2011
- Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise; Effects of Amino Acids Supplement on Physiological Adaptations to Resistance Training; William J. Kraemer, et al.; May 2009
- Neuroendocrinology; Arginine Increases Growth Hormone Gene Expression in Rat Pituitary and GH3 Cells; Manoel Adriao, et al.; January 2004
- European Journal of Applied Physiology; L-Citrulline-Malate Influence Over Branched Chain Amino Acid Utilization During Exercise; Antoni Sureda, et al.; September 2010
- Wound Repair and Regeneration; Biological Fate and Clinical Implications of Arginine Metabolism in Tissue Healing; John N. Currana, et al.; July 2006
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