HGH Supplementation - What Really Works?
If you are at all interested in anti-aging news or nutritional supplements, you've probably heard about hGH or Human Growth Hormone.  Although it is important to discuss what HGH is and how it works, the main focus of this article is to review the various types of HGH supplementation. Let's briefly cover the basics.

What Is Growth Hormone?

GH is a hormone released by the pituitary gland.  It generally releases the hormone in bursts.  GH levels are high during puberty and then fall off.  They remain stable during mid-adulthood (the 30s) but then decline progressively through old age.  By the time many people reach 60, GH levels are very small. One third of the 60+ adults produce NO GH at all!

What Does It Do?

Why should we care about our GH levels?  GH is important in repairing damaged tissue, promoting cell regeneration, enhancing muscle growth, burning fat, and supports healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Low GH levels could very well be the reason some of us age faster than others. Of course, heredity and life style choices factor into that.

Is There a Natural Way to Increase My GH Level?

That depends upon your age and present GH level.  Factors that help with GH production are a low-fat, high protein diet, exercise, plenty of sleep and avoiding stress.  If you are over 40 and feeling sluggish, chances are you may benefit from a GH supplement.

What Types of GH Supplements Are Available?

The ONLY type of HGH that has proven results is pure Growth Hormone given by injections. However, they require a doctor's prescription, are expensive, and can have some side effects.  Unless you've had your hormone levels tested and are suffering from a growth hormone deficiency, you may be able to see some benefit from less invasive supplementation.

Homeopathic HGH - Secretagogues

These are supplements that contain a small amount of actual synthetic growth hormone. They usually come in spray form and are have to meet FDA guidelines on how much HGH to include. The idea is to stimulate production of your own HGH by using a small amount of synthetic HGH.

HGH Releasers

These also come in spray form as well as pills and here's where the confusion starts. The releasers contain amino acids which can stimulate HGH production but in fact, do not actually contain synthetic HGH. If you don't know the difference between these two products, it's easy to assume you are buying an actual HGH product when you arent. Read the ads carefully.

Which one works better? Its probably a case of experimentation to see how your body responds. There are many doctors that claim none of the oral sprays work.  There are also plenty of people using them that claim to see results. There are factors to consider when choosing a homeopathic spray - For more discussion and my recommendation, see the website below.

Nutritional Supplements

Nutritional supplements have been used by athletes and body builders for some time but only recently have started to catch on with the mainstream public as part of an anti-aging program. I'm not talking about the vitamin and mineral supplements, but specific amino acids that stimulate GH production.

The amino acids that stimulate the release the GH are arginine, lysine, ornithine, tyrosine and tryptophan.  However, it has been discovered that only a specific type of arginine (arginine pyroglutamate) combined with L-lysine makes the best GH releaser.  There are places that carry the right APG Lysine combination. For an inexpensive option, see the website below. Important Factors to Know  - Please read this

You may get better results if you DON'T take your GH releaser every day.  It turns out that the body can develop a tolerance to GH supplementation.  It depends upon your age and GH levels but every other day to only 2 or 3 times a week should be sufficient.  It might also be helpful to change supplementations.  Use the oral spray for a month or two, change to the nutritional supplements and then take a break from both for a month. Again, this would be part of your own personal experimentation.

Another important consideration is the use of aspirin or antihistamines.  They have been shown to block the GH release and should not be taken within 8 hours before or after you take your GH supplement.

Fat or a fatty meal will also severely decrease the release of GH. Be careful what you eat before and after your supplementation.

In conclusion, HGH supplementation for people over 40 can prove to be part of an anti-aging regime.  It's important to do your research to avoid wasting your money.  Do your own experimentation to see what works for you but be smart about it.