HGH or Human Growth Hormone is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland in the brain and it plays a vital role in the proper functioning of your body. Acting as your body’s foreman, HGH instructs your skeletal bone and muscle to grow larger and stronger while it speeds the conversion of excess fats into energy.In other words, it’s responsible for youth, vitality, energy and all of the health benefits we associate with youth.
HGH promotes growth in children and plays an important role in adult metabolism. The body secretes the hormone, in decreasing amounts, throughout our lifetimes. The amount of hormone in the body can be measured by levels of IGF-1 (Insulin Growth Factor). Growth hormone has a profound effect on all the cells of the body, more than any other hormone because it is the cell generator.
Although the amount of growth hormone your body produces is genetically determined , there are a few things you can do to make the pituitary gland produce more growth hormone naturally:
1. Sleep.
Getting a good night sleep is vital for pituitary gland proper function.About 90% of the human growth hormone is released during REM sleep.Turn all lights and possible distractions off and try to get 8-9 hours of sleep a night.Not getting enough sleep regularly can lower the amount of growth hormone your body produces daily.
2. Exercise smarter.
It is known that your body increases HGH production with intense physical training.Keep your workouts short (try to finish your workout in 45-60 minutes or less) and heavy.Training for more than 90 minutes will decrease HGH and testosterone because of the increase of the stress hormone levels. ( Cortisol ) Some experts say that even intense cardiovascular workout can help increase the growth hormone,but it depends on the activity we are doing.Take the basketball players for example.
3. Proper nutrition.
Eating lots of protein ( lean meats, eggs, cottage cheese), low glycemic carbs ( fruits, vegetables) and healthy fats (nuts,olive oil) , while reducing starchy and high glycemic carbohydrates can help you increase hgh and testosterone. Try to eat most of your protein about 2 hours before and immediately after your workout.
4. Supplements.
Taking supplements like amino acids is shown to increase HGH levels in humans. Taking these particular amino acids may show an increase in HGH levels: – L Arginine, L Lysine, L Glutamine, Glycine, L Tyrosine and GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid)
5. Don’t eat right before bed.
The body releases the greatest amount of growth hormone during the first two hours of sleep. Eating a large meal right before bed, especially if it contains starchy carbohydrates, will create an insulin peak and suppress this higher output of growth hormone, preventing your body from taking advantages of it as you rest.