Human Growth Hormone
Angela Marks

There are a wide variety of nutritional products whose labels claim to boost Human Growth Hormone (HGH) levels and fight the aging process. This article is the first of a two-part series that will examine such ingredients and evaluate manufacturers' who claim through inconclusive studies and "borrowed science" that their products can help you look and feel younger by just taking a pill.

Nutritional supplement manufacturers know that a large percentage of the U.S. population is growing older and are looking for a "magic pill" to help retain youth and restore vitality. One of the hottest topics, which has spurred a lot of misunderstanding, is the idea that one can artificially increase the production of human growth hormone using oral supplements. In the midst of the confusing messages touted by manufacturers and the media, you should know the facts to avoid the scams and these potentially dangerous products.

What is Human Growth Hormone?
Human Growth Hormone is a substance produced by the pituitary gland that fuels development during childhood and adolescence. Levels measured in people of various age ranges show that on average, growth hormone secretion rises rapidly in the teens, peaks in the 20s and slowly decreases in the gradual phenomenon known as somatopause. There are many elderly people with growth hormone levels in the same range as young adults although the average level is lower. There is very little information about change over an individual's lifetime to determine if a decline in growth hormone occurs in all people. It is possible that those with higher levels of growth hormone secretion die at a younger age and therefore are underrepresented in the older age groups. One might speculate that the decline of growth hormone with age may actually protect us from certain diseases.

It appears that the HGH hype started in 1990 after a six-month study led by Daniel Rudman, M.D., of the Medical College of Wisconsin found that HGH injections used on 12 healthy men aged 61 to 81 increased their lean body mass, skin thickness, and decreased their body fat.* Not surprisingly, a decade later, middle-aged baby boomers who were not deterred by a monthly price tag of up to $1,000 were turning to shots of growth hormone, even though its effectiveness and safety remained unproven. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved HGH injections for treatment of chronic kidney failure in children undergoing kidney transplants, short stature due to Turner's Syndrome and body wasting related to AIDS, there has not been approval for its use in the prevention of the natural, gradual decline that occurs with age. However, the media has grabbed the attention of many consumers touting the possibility that oral supplements could potentially slow the rate of decline of HGH.

To begin with, there is serious concern in the medical field about a possible link between growth hormone and cancer. Growth hormone triggers the release of a substance called insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which circulates in the blood and stimulates cell division. Most tumor cells have structures called receptors that recognize IGF-1, bind it and take it inside. There it could trigger uncontrolled cell division. In addition, other serious consequences include diabetes, hypertension and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Medical professionals only use HGH intravenously, because the substance is destroyed in the digestive tract when taken by mouth. Manufacturers of oral supplemental HGH, of course have not shared this information with consumers. Although many of these nutritional products claim to have a special patented formula, which is "backed by research", take precaution because these "studies" are most likely not from the actual testing of the product, but from the mere "borrowing" of studies using the intravenous form. In addition, many "HGH" products do not even have HGH listed on their label, but instead include a wide variety of amino acids.

Now that you have a good idea of the history of HGH and a good overview of how it functions in the body, we will look at the different amino acids and ingredients that manufacturers are claiming will boost your HGH levels.

Amino Acids
As the building blocks that make up protein, these large molecules are responsible for the growth and continuing health of our bodies, including ligaments, bones, hair, nails, enzymes, and hormones. All amino acids are involved to some extent in the release of human growth hormone, which has fueled the surge in these oral supplements. Amino acids are classified as either 1) essential because the body does not produce them and must get them through food 2) non-essential because the body already produces them inherently.

L-lysine is required for the production of the protein matrix that makes up our tendons, ligaments, skin and bones. It has been used effectively to hinder the growth of the herpes simplex virus. Although manufacturers tout that this amino acid can improve athletic performance, there is no scientific research to substantiate this claim or any other claim promoting its use for collagen synthesis. Diarrhea and abdominal pain have been reported as a response to taking this amino acid in supplemental form.

L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid that helps the brain produce the neurotransmitter serotonin, one of the chemicals that regulate the transmission of nerve impulses in the brain, as well as governing mood and behavior. The dietary supplement was pulled off the market by the FDA in 1990 due to the risk of eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (a complex systemic syndrome with inflammatory and autoimmune components that affect the skin, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lung and heart) and can even cause death. 5-HTP is an intermediate substance that is created when seratonin is produced from l-tryptophan. It is being marketed as a nutritional supplement and can be found in various mail order catalogs, as well as health food stores. Be warned that this supplement has also been correlated with eosinophilia myalgia syndrome and may also cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

L-glutamine is a non-essential amino acid produced primarily in the skeletal muscle. It acts as an inter-organ nitrogen and carbon transporter. It is essential for maintaining intestinal function, immune response, and amino acid balance during times of severe stress. Although manufacturers purport its use for depression, moodiness, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, and enhanced exercise performance, none of these areas have been affected in research using oral glutamine supplements.

L-arginine is an essential amino acid necessary for protein synthesis. It is found in natural foods such as red meat, poultry, fish, and in dairy products and stimulates the release of growth hormones such as prolactin, glucagon, and insulin. However, we have no research to show that the supplement form will have the same effect as in food. It has been shown in some studies to have vasodilatory effects (increasing the size of the internal diameter of blood vessels that results from the relaxation of smooth muscle within the wall of the vessel. This causes an increase in blood flow). These effects are thought to be useful in cardiovascular conditions such as congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, angina, and erectile dysfunction. L-arginine can cause abdominal pain and bloating, diarrhea and gout, allergic response or airway inflammation. Other harmful affects that could result from taking this supplement include elevations in blood urea nitrogen, a by-product in the liver that results from the breakdown of blood, muscle, and protein. When elevated, physicians normally suspect dehydration, renal disease, congestive heart failure, or gastrointestinal bleeding. There are also known drug interactions that may occur when taking this amino acid. It can counteract the effect of cyclosporin and ACE inhibitors by lessening their ability to regulate the elimination of sodium in the urine.

Amino acid supplements should not be taken in hopes of making you look and feel younger, as they simply have not been proven to be of benefit in increasing human growth hormone. Rather, I invite you to consider what we do know about slowing down the aging process.

3 Things to Slow Down the Aging Process
It’s important to know that at least 70 percent of deaths from heart disease, cancer and stroke are lifestyle related. What we did yesterday, and what we do today and will do tomorrow have a tremendous impact on our future health.

Here are the top three things that you should AVOID in order to slow down the aging process:

1) Smoking, both cigarettes and cigars, and smokeless tobacco as well.

Smoking is the worst thing you can do to your body – both internally and externally. It not only can deplete your body of important vitamins which affect the way your skin looks, but it can cause serious health hazards. If you smoke a pack a day, it doubles or triples your risk of having a heart attack as compared to the non-smoker, or the former cigarette smoker. It also increases your risk of developing lung cancer 20 fold, cancer of the larynx 10 fold, cancer of the esophagus 5 fold, and cancer of the pancreas and urinary bladder 2 fold. Lung cancer is the most deadly cancer in this country. It will kill 157,000 Americans this year and the vast majority of those deaths are directly linked to smoking. Unfortunately, after a huge drop-off, there is now a sudden rise in people smoking in the United States. Over 30 percent of Americans are currently smoking, with the fastest growing segment being young teenage women. The good news is that if you quit smoking, your risk of suffering a heart attack will start to drop within a matter of weeks, and within 12-18 months your risk will fall back into the same category as a non-smoker. The risk of a former smoker developing lung cancer will remain elevated for at least 15 years.

2) Inactivity

As Dr. Cooper likes to say, “walk the dog even if you don’t have one”. Our studies clearly indicate that if you can just walk two miles, in 30 minutes or less, three times a week, you can reduce deaths from all causes (including heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes) by up to 58 percent. You will also add up to six years to your life. If that walking pace is too fast for you, then slow down. Walk two miles in 35 minutes, four times a week, or walk two miles in 40 minutes, five times a week. Always make sure to consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.

3) Obesity

It has been estimated that by 2010, more than 50 percent of us will be obese. With obesity’s link to heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, Type II diabetes, certain types of cancer (including colon, breast, and prostate), sleep apnea, arthritis, and infertility, you cannot afford to be in this category. I would encourage you to read Dr. Cooper’s article from the October issue of the Wellness Insider for some tips on how to get started if you need to lose weight. It will provide some excellent guidelines for you to follow in counting calories and improving your overall diet.

In conclusion, be leery of nutritional supplements whose labels claim to bring you the fountain of youth. Your body WILL respond favorably if you treat it well. Find a way to implement the concepts that have been outlined in this article. Regular exercise and a well-balanced diet will do wonders for your energy level, and you will find that it can even affect your outlook on life. In the end, you will thank yourself because your quality of life will improve – isn’t that the most important thing?

*The New England Journal of Medicine 1990 Jul 5; 323(1):1-6.

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