Growth Hormone

Growth hormone is a substance manufactured in the pituitary gland located in the base of the brain. GH helps to regenerate /strengthen our bones and connective tissue crucial to support increased muscle size and strength.

GH appears to affect nearly every organ in the body, has shown to promote protein synthesis, a positive nitrogen balance, increased amino acid uptake, increased lipolysis ( fat breakdown), stimulates cartilage growth, and enhanced immune cell function.

Growth hormones are also one of the body’s most powerful fat / burners. Dietary suggestions to optimise growth hormone levels include keeping blood sugar levels lower, especially before exercise and sleep.
Some studies suggest supplementing with increased protein, creatine and L glutamine may support increased endogenous levels of growth hormone.

The secretion of GH varies according to the time of day with highest levels documented during sleep. (20)

Age, gender, sleep, nutrition, alcohol consumption and exercise all affect GH release patterns. (21, 22, 23)

Some studies have shown increased GH levels from parental (intravenous to administer) supplementing with the amino acid combination L ornithine and L arginine before exercise and before sleep (18). This is not practical. Oral supplementation has shown to have no effect on Serum GH levels except for extremely high levels of Ornithine that produced a measurable rise in serum GH levels 90 minutes later (19).
Pharmaceutical grade of l-ornithine used for this study is extremely expensive if you could find a reliable source in the first place.
In addition, this rise in GH levels was less than the typical rise documented during sleep with normal individuals. (20)

High intensity weight training increases growth hormone levels. When performing your sets, keep high tension on the muscles trained as long as possible without rest to optimise growth hormone release from weight training.

Body fat percentage has shown to have an effect on endogenous growth hormone production. Obese individuals usually have less growth hormone production.