Supplements to Increase Endogenous Growth Hormone in Healthy Adults
A specific amino acid supplement blend has been shown to increase endogenous growth hormone levels by 682% (8-fold) at 120 minutes in healthy adults, representing the strongest evidence for supplement-based GH elevation. 1
Evidence-Based Supplement Options
Amino Acid Supplements (Strongest Evidence)
The most robust data supports a proprietary amino acid blend that demonstrated significant GH elevation in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover trial of 16 healthy adults (mean age 32 years, BMI 26.4 kg/m²). 1
- Single-dose administration produced an 8-fold increase in serum GH at 120 minutes compared to baseline (P = 0.01) 1
- Area under the curve was significantly higher for the amino acid supplement versus placebo [20.4 ng/mL vs 19.7 ng/mL; P = 0.04] 1
- Mechanism of action appears to involve somatostatin inhibition rather than direct amino acid stimulation, as evidenced by conservation of triiodothyronine (T3) levels during GH elevation 2
Functional Benefits of Sustained Use
Daily administration of the amino acid supplement for 2-3 weeks produced measurable improvements in physical performance and sleep quality, consistent with increased endogenous GH release:
- VO2 max increased by 6% after 2 weeks of daily use (P = 0.02) 2
- Sleep-onset latency reduced by 22% and time awake during the night decreased by 65% after 3 weeks (P = 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively) 2
Important Caveats and Limitations
Conflicting Evidence on Amino Acid Efficacy
Not all amino acid formulations are effective. A study in elderly women with heart failure showed that a pure amino acid beverage failed to increase GH despite significantly elevating plasma arginine and lysine concentrations. 3 In contrast, a meal replacement containing protein, carbohydrate, and fat successfully increased GH, suggesting the stimulatory effect requires factors beyond free amino acids alone. 3
Age-Related Considerations
GH secretion naturally declines with age, reaching levels by age 60 that are indistinguishable from hypopituitary patients with organic pituitary lesions. 4 While this creates a theoretical rationale for supplementation in older adults, the elderly are extremely sensitive to GH effects and require very low doses with slow titration to avoid side effects. 4
Dietary Factors
Energy source and level affect endogenous GH secretion. Lower energy intake with fiber-based supplements produces higher basal GH concentrations (13.8 ng/ml) compared to high-energy starch supplements (6.4 ng/ml), with similar effects on arginine-stimulated GH release (46.2 ng/ml vs 23.5 ng/ml). 5 This suggests that caloric restriction may enhance the GH response to amino acid supplementation.
Clinical Application
For a generally healthy adult seeking to increase endogenous GH:
- Use a validated amino acid supplement blend with demonstrated efficacy in controlled trials 1
- Administer as a single dose after an overnight fast for acute GH elevation 1
- Consider daily administration for sustained benefits on physical fitness and sleep quality 2
- Avoid pure amino acid formulations without additional macronutrients, as these may be ineffective 3
- Monitor for individual response, as efficacy may vary based on baseline metabolic status and dietary energy intake 5
Critical warning: The evidence base is limited to specific proprietary formulations tested in research settings. 1, 2 Generic amino acid supplements have not been validated and may not produce similar effects. 3