Human Growth Hormone Facts

Here are the human growth hormone facts! Human growth hormone (hGH), also known as, somatotropin, is the most powerful fat-burning hormone in the body as well as a potent anti-ageing hormone.

It is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland under direction of the hypothalamus and since it has many positive benefits in our bodies we should try and maximise its production naturally.

Unfortunately, carbohydrates, which are ubiquitous in today’s food supply may suppress growth hormone secretion. This has enormous implications for the type of nutritional plan we recommend to clients as well as the composition of the final meal of the day and pre- and post-exercise feedings.

Whilst it is true that clients may get initial results from following the typical (nutritionist/ dietician- recommended) low-fat/ high-carbohydrate nutritional plan, anecdotally their results will eventually plateau if their goal is fat loss or weight loss. Further fat loss may then only be achieved by reducing calorie intake, which is not recommended.

The limited results achieved by the standard nutritional recommendations may be considered to be as a result of elevated insulin levels (we have examined the effects of elevated insulin already) along with a suppression of growth hormone production.

Furthermore, pre-exercise carbohydrate feedings (or during exercise) have been shown to significantly reduce the amount of fat burned during a workout. Another disadvantage of consuming carbs prior to exercise is its effects on brain chemistry (carbs promotes serotonin production in the brain).

Protein has been shown to have a positive impact on growth hormone secretion. Therefore, it stands to reason that a higher protein intake may be beneficial in elevating growth hormone levels and obtaining the benefits from this hormone.

Alcohol suppresses the nocturnal growth hormone surge when it is consumed in the evening but it has less effect when consumed during other times of the day (because less is secreted at other times of the day). Moderate alcohol consumption doesn’t appear to affect baseline levels at all. If you are going to consume alcohol it is better to drink it earlier in the day so your body has a chance to metabolise it before going to sleep.

Exercise has a profound effect on growth hormone production in the body if it is done correctly. However, exercise may also be counter-productive to growth hormone release if it is performed incorrectly. The amount of growth hormone released into the blood stream is in direct proportion to the intensity of the exercise and is inversely related to the volume of exercise, whereby after around 45 mins of intense exercise, growth hormone levels start to fall rapidly. Hence the recommendation to keep workouts brief but intense.

People who exercise regularly tend to have higher resting growth hormone levels than their non-active counterparts.

The human Growth hormone facts also include the impact growth hormone has on the body’s production of other hormones. Firstly, growth hormone exerts a subtle positive effect on testosterone and it suppresses cortisol production.

The amino acid, L-Glutamine, has been shown to boost growth hormone production in the body.

Here’s a summary of the human growth hormone facts and functions:

• Stimulates tissue construction in all tissues
• Mobilises free fatty acids (FFAs) for energy
• Inhibits carbohydrate metabolism
• Supports immune function
• Lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels
• May reverse atherosclerosis


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