How to Stimulate Natural Growth Hormones With Nutrition

Human growth hormone, or HGH, is naturaly formed in the pituitary gland and plays an important role in growth and development throughout childhood and adolescence. During adulthood, HGH continues to play a significant, though lesser role, helping to build and maintain lean muscle. As with any hormone in the body, good nutrition can help to promote and sustain healthy levels of HGH, provided other mechanisms are also in place.

Step 1

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Eat adequate amounts of protein. According to Colorado State University, HGH is a protein-based hormone that regulates growth and metabolism. HGH is made up of amino acids, the primary structural units of all proteins. An important function of HGH is regulating muscle tissue anabolism, or growth. But a protein-poor diet does not provide the building blocks necessary for muscle anabolism. Animal sources of protein, in particular, supply all the amino acids necessary for muscle development. Lean meat, fish, eggs and dairy are good animal protein sources.

Step 2

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Eat a variety of arginine-rich foods. L-arginine is an amino acid that has been shown to heighten HGH secretion in athletes in response to strength training workouts. Foods that are rich in arginine, include walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, brown rice, raisins, almonds, cashews, chicken, chocolate, dairy products, meats and peanuts.

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Step 3

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Avoid high glycemic carbohydrates that rapidly raise blood sugar, especially after your workout. Sugar, flour, rice and other processed carbohydrates are quickly broken down to glucose, causing a spike in circulating glucose. According to Peak Performance, hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, tends to switch off HGH secretion. High-fat foods also switch off HGH when eaten before your workout.

Step 4

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Drink plenty of water before, during and after your workout. Dehydration significantly reduces exercise-induced HGH secretion.

Tips

• While good nutritional support is essential to HGH production, nutrition alone will not increase HGH secretion in adults. Peak Performance notes that high-intensity anaerobic exercise like weight training is the best way to naturally stimulate HGH. Adequate regular sleep patterns are also important. HGH secretion occurs in circadian cycles of six to 12 small surges per day, with the greatest surge taking place about an hour after the onset of night-time sleep. Sleep deprivation or irregular sleep patterns can interfere with circadian cycles, and limit HGH secretion.

Things You'll Need

• Arganine-righ foods
• Protein-rich foods