On the other side, an excessive production of growth hormone can contribute to serious health issues, including an overgrowth of tissues, insulin resistance, general bloating, swelling in the arms and legs, increased blood sugar levels and muscle pain and weakness. One of the main dangers is the unregulated effect of growth hormone injections on the overproduction of IGF-1 concentrations. However, this happens rarely and solely in terms of genetic diseases or taking way too much growth hormone for too long.
In general, medical experts agree that the possible complications surrounding the use of growth hormone as a tool for building lean mass are minimal. Still, in the United States growth hormone can be obtained only through a doctor’s prescription for people diagnosed with growth hormone deficiencies. Growth hormone can also be bought through illegal means, which can be dangerous and is not advisable.
How to boost your growth hormone levels naturally
The good news is that there are natural ways to boost your growth hormone levels. The first and most important one is training. The higher the intensity of the workout, the more growth hormone gets released, since these catabolic states require extra protein synthesis. However, if you train hard longer than 45 minutes, growth hormone levels decrease and cortisol takes the spotlight.
Another important part of the production of growth hormone is getting enough rest. Around 70% of your total daily growth hormone output is produced while you sleep and getting the recommended seven to nine hours of good quality sleep per night is essential to maintaining healthy levels of growth hormone. Finally, nutrition is an equally important factor in stimulating growth hormone levels – think clean, healthy fats and essential amino acids. In addition, the more body fat you gain, the less growth hormone is being produced in your body, so make sure to maintain a healthy weight and eat a balanced diet.
Now, if you’ve completed all the previous steps, you can turn to supplements for some extra boost. Remember, no supplement can do wonders for you on its own – its function has to be supported by the right diet, an adequate training routine and optimal amounts of rest. That being said, there are many vitamins, hormones, minerals and amino acids that can boost your growth hormone levels. The most efficient ones include vitamins A, B5, B12, folic acid, chromium, zinc, magnesium, l-arginine, glutamine, taurine and lysine.
An optimal intake of the essential amino acid l-arginine can produce huge increases in growth hormone when combined with resistance training, while consuming even a modest amount of glutamine can double up growth hormone levels. The hormones DHEA, pregnenolone and melatonin can help significantly improve the production of this hormone as well.
In conclusion
Growth hormone is not a magic potion for your muscles – on its own, it’s actually not the strongest among anabolic hormones and it doesn’t provide constant, durable effects in the way testosterone does. However, when used in optimal dosages (or increased to optimal levels) and paired with testosterone peaks, it can truly unlock one’s muscle growth potential.
The best time to boost your growth hormone levels is when insulin is low, i.e. after a workout, before going to bed and during a low-carb diet. Whether you choose to improve your production of growth hormone on a natural or synthetic way, there is no denying the fact that proper levels of growth hormone are crucial for both maintaining good health and achieving your bodybuilding goals.
