Factor Eight: Boost Your Growth Hormone Levels

The body naturally produces growth hormone in the pituitary gland and, as its name implies, it is responsible for cell growth and regeneration. Increasing muscle mass and bone density are impossible without human growth hormone. However, it is also a major player in maintaining the health of all human tissue, including that of the brain and other vital organs. The secreted growth hormone remains active in the bloodstream for only a few minutes, but this is enough time for the liver to convert it into growth factors, the most critical of which is insulin-like growth factor-1 or IGF-1. IGF-1 boosts a host of anabolic properties. Scientists began to harvest growth hormone from the pituitary glands of cadavers in the 1950’s, but didn’t synthesize the first human growth hormone (HGH) in laboratories until 1981, with it’s use as a performance enhancing drug becoming popular thereafter.

HGH inhibits insulin, which is the fat storing hormone. Sadly, from about age 21 onward, our bodies start producing less and less HGH. That’s why younger people can get away with eating junk food and not pack on the pounds, whereas someone in their 50’s only has to look at a pizza to gain weight. Over eating also mucks up our HGH levels. Balancing your HGH levels will not only help you to lose weight, it will but you in an anabolic state to promote muscle growth and keep you looking young and fantastic.

Let’s find what you can do – legally and safely – to boost your own HGH levels.

(1) Eat a Balanced Diet

Diet is the third major factor in keeping growth hormone levels topped off. It is necessary to eat a balanced diet that provides as many of the following growth hormone boosting agents as possible:


· Vitamin A

· Vitamin B5

· Vitamin B12

· Folic Acid

· Inositol Heaxanicotinate

· Chromium

· Zinc

· Magnesium

· Iodine

· Glutamine

· Glycine

· Carnitine

· Arginine

· Taurine

· Lysine

· Ornithine Alpha-ketoglutarate

(2) Work out with weights

Lifting heavy weights over a regular period of time releases human growth hormone. By reducing our rest between sets this process is enhanced. Try to keep your between set rest periods to under a minute for the best results. Focus, too, on compound movements that work your major muscles groups together, such as squats, deadlift and bent over rowing. Short bouts on high intensity aerobic exercise performed for bouts of about 10 minutes at a time are also effective for HGH release.

(3) Supplement

A multivitamin provides many of the nutrients needed to boost growth hormone. Amino acids such as arginine and glutamine have been shown to boost growth hormone levels in separate studies. Instead of taking these separately, you now have the choice between a multitude of specialty supplements.

Other hormones, such as testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, can also lead to growth hormone increases. The following compounds have all been shown to enhance growth hormone levels;

• Colostrum

• Alpha GPC

• Tribulus terrestris

• Coleus forskohlii

• Panax ginseng

• Siberian ginseng

• Aswagandha root

• Schizandra berry

• Astragalus root

• Dong quai

• Wild yam extract

• Goji berry

• Red date berry

(4) Sleep

Our natural growth hormone production hits its peak at night time. It is, in fact, part of the vital repair and restoration process of sleep. But the daily surge in HGH production doesn’t happen when we’re awake. It’s vital, then, to establish and maintain a regular sleep pattern.