GH Supplement Stack

The name says it all. When anyone hears the term “growth hormone” they automatically think of muscle size. In addition to increasing size and strength, however, GH also enhances fat loss by increasing the removal of fat from your fat cells so that it can be burned off for good. While many professional athletes are injecting GH to get all these benefits, the good news is that you can raise your levels of this powerful hormone naturally. One way to do this is by lifting weights, but you can further increase the amount of GH you release during training by knowing what supplements to take preworkout. Taking the following three supplements before hitting the iron can help drive your GH levels through the roof for more muscle growth and fat burning.

Learn more about how hGH can benefit you.

GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID (GABA)
GABA, an amino acid that works as a neurotransmitter, has numerous positive effects on the nervous system, such as reducing anxiety, enhancing relaxation and enabling better focus and concentration. Research in weight-trained men showed that when subjects took 3 grams of GABA before workouts it resulted in a 400% increase in GH before the workout and a 200% increase when the workout was over, as compared to a placebo.

Choose:Take 3-5 grams of GABA around 60 minutes before workouts on an empty stomach.

ALPHA-GLYCERYL-PHOSPHORYLCHOLINE (ALPHA-GPC)
Alpha-GPC is derived from soy lecithin and works in the body to increase levels of choline and, as a result, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Because of this, it’s effective for brain function as well as reaction time and even muscle strength. Boosting acetylcholine production also enables alpha-GPC to boost GH levels. One study presented at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the International Society of Sports Nutrition reported that trained men taking 600 mg of alpha-GPC 90 minutes before workouts increased their GH levels by about 100% more than when they took a placebo. 

Choose:Take 600 mg of alpha-GPC 60-90 minutes before workouts.

GLUTAMINE
This amino acid offers a plethora of benefits when taken around workouts. It aids muscle growth by increasing levels of the critical branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) leucine in muscle fibers, and it also helps to decrease muscle breakdown. Since the immune system requires glutamine to function, taking supplemental glutamine prevents the immune system from stealing it from muscle fibers. This not only enhances immune function but muscle growth as well via better maintenance of muscle glutamine levels. According to researchers at Louisiana State University, glutamine can also keep GH levels elevated for 90 minutes after taking it.

Choose: Take 5-10 grams of glutamine about 90 minutes before training to capitalize on the GH surge it can provide for your workout (as well as all the other benefits it offers).

On the following page we provide you with a list of products available to you now that can have an impact on your GH levels.

GROWTH FACTORS

We've scoured the labels of numerous products to find a handful that can help boost your own growth hormone levels naturally.

Stack of the Month References:

Powers M. E., et al. Growth hormone isoform responses to GABA ingestion at rest and after exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc. Jan 2008;40(1):104-110.

Welbourne, T. Increased plasma bicarbonate and growth hormone after a n oral glutamine load. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995 May;61(5):1058-61.

Ziegenfuss, T., et al. Acute supplementation with alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine augments growth hormone response to, and peak force production during, resistance exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2008, 5(Suppl 1):P15.