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The Facts About Growth Hormone and How to Increase Your GH Levels!
Unfortunately, these subsequent researchers used arginine hydrochloride and NOT arginine pyroglutamate, which was used with great results in the original study in 1981. This is disappointing, as it had been known since 1977 that the specific chelate of arginine and pyroglutamic acid (arginine pyroglutamate) had effects on the body that are not shared by arginine or pyroglutamic acid when taken individually or together.21
No nutritional supplement has shown equivalent results to the combination of arginine pyroglutamate and lysine for releasing significant amounts of biologically active GH when taken orally in small doses. Interestingly, when both arginine pyroglutamate and lysine are taken individually, even in large doses, they are not effective.16 It is the specific combination of arginine pyroglutamate and lysine, taken in the proper ratio, which makes a very effective GH releaser.
Because of these promising initial results, the combination of APG/Lysine was developed as a pharmaceutical in Italy. Further research showed that it could enhance immune function dramatically both in healthy elderly people, and in cancer patients.222324 Notably, this combination of APG/Lysine was shown to improve immune function by increasing thymus hormone levels. This is an effect you would expect from growth hormone release, as growth hormone is known to enhance functioning of the thymus—the master gland of immunity.252627
People get better results by using GH less often than every day, or just two or three times a week.
If you decide to take a GH releaser
Too much of a good thing can be as bad for you as not enough, and this holds true for GH. Like most hormones, it is the proper dose and timing that gives the most beneficial results. In the case of GH, research has shown that there are significant differences in the effects of GH depending on how often you take it and/or how often it is released.
It's best NOT to take a GH supplement every day. Here's why:
A decade ago, it was discovered that many children who were given GH replacement to enhance their growth suffered from a GH tolerance and withdrawal syndrome that resembles the tolerance one develops when he or she takes hormones like cortisone and testosterone.28 Specifically, when children stop getting GH supplementation, they stop growing, which becomes even more of an issue than the short stature they dealt with before they started taking GH. Initially, scientists thought this was a result of the GH injections suppressing the body's normal production of GH.
Similar hormone suppression is often seen with cortisone and testosterone therapy, where it often takes months for the body to begin normal production of its own hormones after stopping the cortisone or testosterone. Surprisingly, this was not found to be true for GH. After stopping GH injections, the body rapidly resumes its normal production of GH. Yet, the tissue's response to the normal GH levels was found to be markedly diminished.28 Scientists now believe that this is because the body becomes tolerant to GH from the daily supraphysiological levels of GH caused by the GH injections.
Obviously, this is a huge drawback to using GH replacement therapy. Because as soon as we stopped taking the GH supplement, we would be in even worse shape because we would be resistant to our own GH. Luckily, research has shown that the key to preventing these problems is to not use GH on a daily basis.
In research on short children receiving GH, it was shown that by using GH every other day rather than every day the tolerance and dependence syndrome could be completely prevented.29 It seems that allowing the body a one day break in between GH use allows the tissues to remain sensitive to both its own GH and the GH supplementation. Interestingly, the same is known to be true for cortisone which is often given in an "every other day regimen" to prevent tolerance and dependence. What is troubling, though, is that many short, but otherwise normal children are given GH replacement therapy in the hope that they will grow taller, and many of them are receiving GH every day which in the long-term is likely counterproductive.
In research on adults, using GH two or three times a week has proven to be as effective as using GH every day.30 This makes the rationale of using GH daily questionable—because it is much more likely to not give optimal long-term results. Typically, the companies that market pharmaceutical GH and GH releasing supplements don't inform doctors or consumers of this fact because obviously they would sell much less product. This is in spite of the research showing that people will get better and safer results by using GH less often than every day.31
Uridine and Growth Hormone?
Uridine is a natural nucleic acid that plays a major role in neurotransmitter function, as well as helping to build membrane phospholipids and promoting neurite growth from brain cells.35 Research has shown that uridine (especially when combined with choline) can support the production and function of both acetylcholine and dopamine, two major neurotransmitters involved in growth hormone release. The decreased activity of these neurotransmitters is believed to be responsible for the age-related decline in natural growth hormone release. It is thought that uridine and choline support these neurotransmitters through the enhanced maintenance of brain cell membranes, as well as direct stimulation of neurotransmitter release. By helping to promote the optimum functioning of brain cells, uridine primes our brain for enhanced growth hormone release.
Is GH supplementation safe?
Although when used according to directions, GH has been shown to be very safe. It should not be used by people with diabetes or cancer unless they are under the care of a physician. For best results, please follow the usage suggestions below.
There are no contraindications with other drugs or supplements. And if you decide to stop taking growth hormone releaser after you start, proper dosing will assure you will not experience any negative effects. Your pituitary gland will most likely, however, start producing the amount of growth hormone it did before you took it … and if you are a senior, that means it will produce very little.
How much should you take?
The good news is that you don't need to take a GH releaser every day for great results. In research on adults, it has been shown that people will get better results by using GH less often than every day,31 or just two or three times a week.32 However, a minimum of 2 grams of the APG/ Lysine combination should be taken at one time to stimulate growth hormone.
Conclusion
The alternative to GH injections
Convenient and much more affordable than $10,000 per year GH injections—not to mention less painful—a GH releaser is a safe way for athletes to improve their peak performance, as well as for anyone wanting to help prevent cardiovascular disease, improve muscular strength and immunity, and overall health and appearance. The important thing is to make sure you buy a high quality GH releaser with the clinically proven combination of arginine pyroglutamate and lysine.
Editor's Note:
The natural health solutions described in this article are available through many on-line retailers including those listed below. By clicking these links you help support the important alternative health research we provide.
Visit www.amazon.com – a great way to find competitive deals on supplements offered by many different manufacturers.
Visit www.hfn-usa.com – when commitment to quality and freshness is important, this factory direct solution is preferred by many of our readers.
This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a physician before embarking on a dietary supplement program.
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