HGH, or human growth hormone, has become the performance enhancer of choice for aging athletes and also for some non-athletic baby boomers. Some physicians and many athletes claim it increases muscle building and fat burning at the cellular level, improving recovery from intense exercise. Your pituitary gland releases growth hormone in pulses throughout the day and night. But as you age, your natural levels fall. This fact has led some to seek pharmaceutical growth hormone injections for youthful rejuvenation -- and supplement companies have developed and marketed products claiming to increase your natural production of human growth hormone.
Pharmaceutical HGH
According to the International Society of Sports Nutrition, pharmaceutical growth hormone has been produced since the 1980s using recombinant DNA technology. Most of the pertinent research using growth hormone injections has been done with elderly men. Some studies have shown that growth hormone injections increase lean body mass, although currently there is no published research supporting improved athletic performance. Although growth hormone holds some promise, side effects of chronic use include diabetes, high blood pressure and abnormal growth of internal organs.
Amino Acids
Supplement marketers claim over-the-counter nutritional supplements containing amino acids, such as arginine, provide an increase in growth hormone sufficient to increase muscle mass and decrease body fat. “Essentials of Sports Nutrition and Supplements,” the authoritative text of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, states that any growth hormone stimulation by arginine or other amino acids is unlikely. In fact, arginine may compromise growth hormone response. The most proven methods for increasing growth hormone naturally are exercise and sleep.
Exercise and Sleep
Exercise increases blood growth hormone levels. According to “Exercise Physiology” by Scott Powers and Edward Howley, the rise in blood growth hormone levels corresponds to the intensity of exercise. When you exercise at maximal work capacity, your growth hormone can reach 25 times the level at rest. Experienced exercisers seem to have a higher response than untrained individuals. Your body also releases growth hormone during sleep. According to a study published in the "Journal of Clinical Investigation," growth hormone levels peak within the first few hours of sleep. The peak is similar to intense exercise.
Cautions
It has not been proven that maintaining youthful growth hormone levels as you age is beneficial. According to an article in “Quackwatch” by Stephen Barrett MD, it is also clear that negative side effects can occur for growth hormone injections. Growth hormone shots appear to be a very poor investment considering the cost, side effects and lack of proven effectiveness. Barrett also states that so-called growth hormone releasing products have no merit.
References
- "Journal of Clinical Investigation"; Growth Hormone Secretion during Sleep; Y. Takahashi et al.;1968
- "Exercise Physiology," Third edition; Scott K. Powers and Edward T. Howley; 1997
- "Essentials of Sports Nutrition and Supplements"; International Society of Sports Nutrition; 2008
- "Quackwatch"; Growth Hormone Schemes and Scams; Stephen Barrett; June 2009
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