The Best Natural Source of HGH

HGH, or human growth hormone, is produced in your pituitary gland within your brain. HGH is responsible for growth during childhood and for the repair and regeneration of tissue throughout your life. By the age of about 30, your HGH levels are only about 20 percent of their peak levels during childhood and its production slowly declines with age. Falling HGH levels are linked to premature aging, loss of lean body mass and reduced energy levels. Injecting synthetic HGH is an effective way of raising your HGH levels, although you can also try natural methods.

Human Growth Hormone

The best natural source of HGH is produced within your own pituitary gland. The ability of your pituitary to produce HGH declines very little with aging, although substances that control HGH secretion change concentrations in your body with age, as cited in the "Professional Guide to Diseases." Three substances control your HGH secretion: growth hormone releasing hormone and growth hormone releasing peptide, which both stimulate your pituitary to release HGH and decline with age, and somatostatin hormone that blocks the release of HGH and increases with age. Pharmaceutical companies have developed synthetic injectable forms of both HGH and HGH-releasing hormone, although there are many natural ways to increase your HGH levels also.

Natural Supplements

HGH is a big molecule that cannot be absorbed via mouth or skin and is easily destroyed if swallowed. The only way in can be administered is via injection, according to the "Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties." In the early years of HGH treatment, the hormone was either extracted from the glands of human cadavers or some animals, but synthetic versions of HGH are available nowadays. As an alternative method, certain amino acids can be taken orally that stimulate the production of HGH-releasing hormone, which increases the release of HGH from your pituitary. According to "Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition," if you are between the ages of 30 and 50, an effective and economical way of stimulating HGH release is to take about 2 g of glutamine in the morning and between 10 and 30 g of arginine before bedtime on an empty stomach. Other amino acids used for this purpose include lysine and ornthine and are referred to as secretagogues. Amino acid supplementation to increase HGH production is usually not very effective if you are older than 50, so consider some natural activities.

Natural Activities

There are many ways to convince your body that it needs to produce more HGH and a very effective one is intensive weight training, according to "Natural Hormone Therapy for Men, Women and Children." Exerting force on your muscles over prolonged periods can increase levels of HGH in your body. Other HGH promoting activities include getting plenty of quality sleep, reducing stress in your life, regularly laughter and cutting down on alcohol consumption.

Benefits of Increased HGH Levels

Higher levels of HGH contribute to losing body fat, increasing muscle mass, reducing the effects of aging on skin, increasing bone density, strengthening immunity, reversing cognitive decline, stimulating red blood cell production and reducing the risks of cardiovascular disease, according to "Human Biochemistry and Disease." HGH cannot eliminate the effects of oxidation damage and completely reverse the effects of aging, nor can it increase maximum lifespan. Consult with your doctor before you attempt to naturally increase your HGH levels.