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Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a valid concern for many aging adults. As the body ages, numerous hormone levels begin to decline. The intake and absorption of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients suffer due to dietary changes. Weight gain interferes with all these processes. There are vitamins to take with human growth hormone that help improve its benefits. You can also utilize some vitamins to help increase natural HGH secretion.
Protein provides many of the nutrients necessary to help HGH carry out its functions. Human growth hormone is a protein peptide molecule consisting of 191 amino acids. Many of the essential amino acids the body needs can only come from protein. Consuming 2,000 mg of supplemental glutamine, the most abundant of all amino acids in the body can help increase plasma HGH levels.
The more we learn about HGH and vitamins, the better able we are to help natural hormone secretion. Arginine, another amino acid, improves HGH release while the body is at rest or with exercise.
Vitamin intake and absorption often declines along with hormone levels as we age.
Does Vitamin C Impact Human Growth Hormone?
Research on various vitamins to take with human growth hormone brings us to Trusted sourceVitamin CNational Institutes of HealthGo to sourcevitamin C . As a vital micronutrient, vitamin C decline is often seen in patients who are obese. Blood tests reveal lower plasma C levels associated with central adiposity and higher waist-to-hip ratio.
There have also been studies showing a connection between lower circulating vitamin C levels and Trusted sourceVitamin C and cardiovascular diseaseNCBIGo to sourcecardiovascular risk . Growth hormone deficiency is also implicated in abdominal fat increase and cardiovascular disease.
In a study on the HGH vitamin C connection, 108 healthy women and men between the ages of 18 and 55 demonstrated a relationship between vitamin C intake and peak stimulated growth hormone secretion. An association of vitamin C intake was made with the following GH secretion parameters:
- Basal GH secretion
- Total GH production
- GH half-life
- Mean GH secretion
Another study showed that adults with the lowest vitamin C levels had the highest risk of mortality from stroke. Growth hormone deficiency is also a risk factor for stroke, heart attack, and cardiovascular disease.
Vitamin C is also a crucial component of collagen production. Since HGH therapy helps to improve cellular regeneration, and therefore collagen production, vitamin C can enhance this process. Collagen is an essential part of connective tissues and can help protect the body from injury by strengthening tissues.
HGH and vitamin C also activate neuropeptides (brain proteins) with the enzyme known as PAM (peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase). Pam is found in both the pituitary gland (HGH release) and the hypothalamus (growth hormone-releasing hormone production).
For adults with relatively low dietary vitamin C intake, it may be worth supplementing with vitamin C if there is a concern over growth hormone deficiency. Increasing vitamin C intake may also support human growth hormone therapy.
Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient associated with growth hormone levels.
Is There a Connection between Vitamin D and Human Growth Hormone?
As we continue to look at vitamins to take with human growth hormone, we move on to Trusted sourceNCBIVitamin D across growth hormone (GH) disordersGo to sourcevitamin D . There is no doubt that vitamin D is an essential nutrient for the body. Vitamin D deficiency is often linked to a condition called SAD (seasonal affective disorder) that impacts mood and energy. The body synthesizes vitamin D from sunshine, which is why SAD increases during the winter months.
The next connection between HGH and vitamin D is in the liver, where vitamin D helps HGH stimulate the secretion of insulin growth factor 1. Vitamin D assists human growth hormone with the production of fast twitch muscle fibers that make up lean muscle tissue. Of course, vitamin D plays a critical role in bone remodeling along with HGH and IGF-1 which provide new bone cells.
In a study of 129 adults, a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was found in adults with GHD.
Since HGH is the primary stimulator of IGF-1 in the liver, it is essential to maintain adequate levels. IGF-1 mediates many of the actions of human growth hormone. Vitamin D increases circulating IGF-1 levels to help improve HGH functions. IGF-1, in turn, stimulates renal production of the hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D to increase phosphate and calcium availability in the body crucial for bone metabolism. Yes, vitamin D is also a hormone. Increasing vitamin D intake may also reduce dosing needs for HGH therapy.
Vitamin D helps HGH stimulate Insulin Growth Factor 1 release in the liver.
What Other Vitamins and Mineral Influence Human Growth Hormone?
C and D are not the only vitamins to take with human growth hormone therapy. Here are some others to consider:
- Vitamin B12 – HGH is the stimulator of cell reproduction. Vitamin B12 is a vital component of healthy functioning nerve and blood cells. A healthy metabolism, stimulated by HGH, is necessary for proper vitamin B12 absorption in the intestinal tract.
- Vitamin B2 – riboflavin is a vital component of red blood cells. Vitamin B2 helps the body absorb minerals that can support HGH production.
- Vitamin B3 – niacin, which increases blood flow and stimulates red blood cell production, can also help increase endogenous growth hormone secretion.
Other vitamins and minerals for HGH support include:
- Melatonin – to improve sleep for increased HGH production.
- CDP-choline – shown to increase human growth hormone levels in elderly adults. CDP-choline helps to counteract beta-amyloid plaque deposits that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.
For additional information, please contact our hormone clinic for a free consultation.
Vitamins B2, B3, and B12, along with Melatonin and CDP-choline can benefit HGH production and functions.
- Hideo Makimura, MD., PhD.
- S Denny-Brown, MD., T L Stanley, MD., S K Grinspoon, MD., H Makimura, MD., PhD.
- Pietro Ameri, PhD., Andrea Giusti, PhD., Mara Boschetti, MD., PhD., Marta Bovio, Claudia Teti, Giovanna Leoncini, MD., Diego Ferone, MD., PhD., Giovanni Murialdo,
Francesco Minuto, Ph.D. - A Ciresi, C Giordano
- Ivayla Uzunova, PhD., Georgi Kirilov, PhD., Sabina Zacharieva, MD., Krassimir Kalinov, PhD.
The Effect of Vitamin C on Growth Hormone Secretion
The association of macro- and micronutrient intake with growth hormone secretion
Vitamin D increases circulating IGF1 in adults: potential implication for the treatment of GH deficiency
Vitamin D across growth hormone (GH) disorders: From GH deficiency to GH excess
Vitamin D status of adults with growth hormone deficiency