Boosting growth hormone levels?

[niko777]

Hi everybody!

I've read quite often on the net, in the past few weeks, that L-Glutamine could boost dramatically one's growth hormone levels. Is that really true? If that is true, can anybody take it to have higher growth hormone levels?

Imagine giving L-GLutamine to a boy of 13 or 14 years old, whose body is already full of growth hormones. I wonder if it would make him grow taller and bigger, or if it would be totally useless. Does someone here have an answer?

Thanks in advance

[chocomus]

I always wondered if you take something that the body produce itself... won't it make then to stop producing? as you're taking it anyways, maybe the body will lose the need to create it. I'm not sure about it but....

[niko777]

I don't think the body would stop producing L-Glutamine, since I've read its REALLY abundant in the human body. I mean, it's probably not like injecting pure testosterone... I'm not sure, though...

[Slevin]

The body is self-regulating. It tries to stay within what is called homeostasis.

The pituitary gland regulates the hormones of the body. If you take too much of a hormone your body will stop naturally producing it, in an attempt to regulate itself. This is the main reason they tell you not to take steroids in your teens and really even in your early twenties. As you get older your hormone levels get sub-optimal and hormone supplementation may be effective. As it stands most teenagers have a moderate cycle of steroid like hormones in them already.

Glutamine plays a role in protein synthesis. In theory if your body does not produce enough Glutamine, supplementation should help the protein synthesis. If your body does produce enough Glutamine; there will be minimal effect.

A study of Glutamine supplementation after prolonged exaustive exercise showed that there was no increase in strength for bench press, knee-extension torque or lean muscle mass. (Castell, L. and Newsholme, E. - 1997).

[chocomus]

Then i think it would be more effective if they change our organism and glands to make it produce more natural hormones. But i gues this is quite science fiction. A pity.

[FRNKPBDY]

L-Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body. It's found in high-protein foods - fish, beans, meat and dairy products. L-Glutamine can help facilitate the release of growth hormone.


Some of the guys in my gym say that 2 grams of glutamine before training can be a way to improve. New research seems to keep heading in this direction.

Personally, I have taken the suggested 2 grams of glutamine before training, and know many others that do the same and get some decent results. There's still not a lot of research on this, so this should be something to investigate before you attempt to try it.

My feeling is when the more research is available, glutamine supplementation will become a pre-workout fitness routine, but we're not quite there yet.

Glutamine may have a significant impact on the immune system. There is some evidence that Glutamine has been shown to decrease the incidence of infections.

Earlier research by LSU Medial Center shows that 2 grams of glutamine is effective in increasing GH, "These findings demonstrate that a surprisingly small oral glutamine load is capable of elevating alkaline reserves as well as plasma growth hormone," (Increased plasma Bicarbonate and growth hormone after an oral glutamine load, 1995, Welbourne).

What does this mean?

High-intensity training significantly reduces the body's supply of glutamine, and it needs to be replaced. Filling up the glutamine fuel tank before training may do more than simply help replace a nutrient reduced during exercise. Glutamine may help facilitate the release of HGH during training.

Anecdoteally I've heard from some people who use glutamine say they feel stronger at the end of a workout (or after any type of exercise).

L-Glutamine is a powerful supplement and has benefits. But there can be drug interactions with glutamine and some forms of chemotherapy. It's always a good idea to let your physician know what supplements you are taking or plan to take before doing so.

FP

[seahawk]

Don't forget to get a good night's sleep - your friendly, natural GH provider!

[Slevin]

FRNKPBDY is correct. Their is evidence to support Glutamine supplementation has positive effects but their is also evidence to support that it has a neutral, or at least different effect on types of athletes. "The jury is still out"

[inflated]

The best natural way to keep testosterone levels high is high intensity exercises such as heavy squats and deadlifts. Also consume lean red meat, accompanied with fresh green vegetables. High protein low glycemic index diets tend to spike testosterone levels.

[musclegod]

There are a number of good GH releasers on the market that work. GNC has some of them. They sell under names like Symbiotrophin. They work. I would recommend them highly especially for guys in their 20's or 30's.

[abbraxis]

Wow! There's a lot of good information here.

Thanks, everybody!

Out of curiosity, what's a natrual way to get Glutamine and how much would I need to eat/drink to get the 2g people are reccomending? Like, about how much milk would I have to drink (just to put 2g into perspective)?

[FRNKPBDY]

Originally Posted by abbraxis

Wow! There's a lot of good information here.

Thanks, everybody!

Out of curiosity, what's a natrual way to get Glutamine and how much would I need to eat/drink to get the 2g people are reccomending? Like, about how much milk would I have to drink (just to put 2g into perspective)?

Abbraxis:

Glutamine is found in many high protein foods such as dairy products, fish, beef and beans. A point worth remembering is that cooking tends to destroy much of the glutamine in foods. Raw spinach and parsley are better food sources.

Actually, a glass of milk contains 3 to 6 grams of essential amino acids. You could also eat a high performance energy bar--like AST Vyo-Pro protein bars--but that'll supply you with 20 grams of nitrogen-rich protein in a 2.2 ounce bar. They are really tasty and packed with muscle building protein!!

Glad to be of assistance.

FP