In Part I, you learned about the amazing
benefits of human growth hormone. How it burns fat and builds muscle,
reshapes physical contours; how it boosts immunity, strengthens the heart,
improves memory, lifts mood and energy, rejuvenates the skin, improves
sexual function, thickens hair, improves vision, reverses diseases and
extends life.
But, you also learned that although hGH produces stunning results, there
are recently discovered dangers that have been little know to the general
public. The dark side of hGH is that it can have an unnatural stimulating
action that can lead to a variety of problems. Problems like insulin
resistance, diabetes, fluid retention, carpal tunnel syndrome, enlarged
breasts, lowered output of the body's own growth hormone, and abnormal bone
growth in the wrists, hands, and feet. And worst of all, that it may
promote tumor growth. Not to speak of its prohibitive costs and difficult
administration.
You also learned the real reason growth hormone declines with age. And
that, surprisingly, the pituitary's capacity to produce growth hormone does
not decline with age. The mystery of why hGH and IGF-1 levels decline are
listed here again:
. Loss of hypothalamus sensitivity
. Decreased liver function
. Lack of deep sleep
. High blood sugar levels
Clearly, it is better to encourage the body to resume its natural
production of growth hormone and IGF-1. The key to safely unlocking the
benefits of growth hormone is to nourish and balance, not stimulate. This
means supporting the liver, pituitary and hypothalamus with amino acids,
herbal extracts, essential oils and growth hormone releasers. It also
means avoiding reliance on single hormone supplements.
By activating the organs involved in the natural production of growth
hormone and IGF-1, powerful anti-aging effects can be achieved with minimal
side effects or long-term complications.
The organ that is the key to growth hormone conversion is the liver. It's
little-know that most of the benefits of growth hormone are due to a
substance known as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), not to the growth
hormone itself. It is the IGF-1 that actually translates growth hormone's
chemical signals into physical effects throughout the body. In fact, many
doctors measure growth hormone levels not by testing for growth hormone
itself but by testing for IGF-1.
The liver is the organ responsible for converting growth hormone into
IGF-1. If the liver is not functioning optimally due to age, disease or
diet, only partial conversion of hGH into IGF-1 will occur. As IGF-1
levels drop, the body will begin to feel the effects of premature aging.
Also, if fat accumulates in the liver, enzyme conversion and its other
metabolic functions become sluggish - directly interfering with the
conversion of growth hormone into IGF-1. As IGF-1 production slows, the
effects of aging become more and more pronounced - even if the pituitary
secretes adequate levels of the growth hormone.
The Safe Solution
But there are natural, safe ways to encourage IGF-1 conversion in the
liver. Several nutrients, including dl methionine (a natural substance
that prevents fat accumulation in the liver), Oregon grape root, and
Chinese Wolfberry, have been shown to bolster liver function.
Chinese Wolfberry
One of the most intriguing anti-aging nutrients to surface during the last
decade is the Chinese wolfberry, known botanically as Lycium
barbarum. Extensive research in China provides evidence that wolfberry
affords significant anti-oxidant and immune-stimulating benefits.
According to a report published by the State Scientific and Technological
Commission of China, wolfberry benefits the body in the same way that
growth hormone does: better eyesight, more robust immune response, lower
body fat, lower blood sugar, and high levels of antioxidants, like
superoxide dismutase (SOD).
A clinical experiment by the Ningxia Institute, Register No. 870306,
October 1982 to May 1985, studied the effects of wolfberry on the immune,
physiological, and biochemical indexes of the blood of aged volunteers.
The results show that the wolfberry caused the blood of older people to
noticeably revert to a younger state.
Researchers have discovered that wolfberry is rich in lycium
polysaccharides, long chain sugars that have potent immune-stimulating
effects. These polysaccharides appear to be highly effective in raising
levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), an immune protein that steadily declines
with age. The ability of the wolfberry to reverse this age-related decline
of IgA provides the strongest evidence of its anti-aging potential.
The wolfberry has been a dietary staple for hundreds of years in the West
Elbow Plateau of the Yellow River in Inner Mongolia. The people in this
region live to be over 100 years of age - 10 to 20 years longer than the
average person in the rest of China.
It's All in the Hypothalamus
Many scientists believe the real reason the pituitary slows its production
of growth hormone is because of the hypothalamus losing its sensitivity
-not because the pituitary is unable to secrete GH. This is due not only
to age, but to exposure to environmental chemicals (petrochemical residues,
herbicides, fungicides, synthetic personal care ingredients, etc.).
In fact, the hypothalamus is even more important than the pituitary in
regulating GH levels. Unless the hypothalamus sends a signal to the
pituitary, the pituitary will not produce growth hormone. This chemical
signal, known as GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone), is the key to GH
production by the pituitary.
So what causes the hypothalamus to hold back its production of GHRH?
Researchers believe it is due to the decreased ability of the hypothalamus
to detect and react to blood levels of many key elements, including thyroid
hormone, growth hormone, GABA (gammaminobutyric acid), IGF-1 levels, and
even the amount of sugar in the blood stream.
This is why restoring and resensitizing the receptors of the hypothalamus
can lead to dramatic increases in growth hormone levels. It can also
generate enhanced production of TRH (thyrotropin releasing hormone), the
agent responsible for stimulating the thyroid gland to produce thyroxin, a
hormone which increases the body's metabolic rate and lowers blood sugar
levels.
Because the resensitization of the hypothalamus leads to a more coordinated
production of all hormones and growth factors, you get the
benefits of growth hormone — without the side effects associated with hGH
injections.
Vicia Faba and Sesquiterpenes
There are two substances that can both safely enhance hypothalamus function
and re-sensitize receptors: Vicia faba and essential oils high in
sesquiterpenes.
Vicia faba contains unusually high concentrations of L-dopa, an
amino acid that has been shown in several studies to restore the
sensitivity of the hypothalamus. L-dopa works by re-sensitizing the
hypothalamus to hormonal signals from the rest of the body, leading to an
increase in the production of GHRH, and as a result, growth hormone,
according to the
highly regarded Soviet researcher, Vladimir Dilman.
William Sonntag, professor of physiology at the Bowman Gray School of
Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, showed that L-dopa restored
growth hormone pulses to that of younger levels. This produced the same fat
loss and muscle gain triggered by growth hormone alone - without the side
effects. A study conducted by the National Institute of Aging also
documented the ability of L-dopa to increased growth hormone levels in men
over 60 years of age to that of young adults.
European studies have shown that essential oils high in sesquiterpenes,
such as myrrh, (Commiphora myrrha), clary sage (Salvia
sclarea), and sandalwood (Santalum album), oxygenate and
stimulate the hypothalamus and pituitary glands.
Research presented in Grasse, France, in 1995 showed that when
high-sesquiterpene essential oils are inhaled, they exert an extraordinary
action on the limbic system of the brain, an area which comprises the
hypothalamus, pituitary, and pineal glands. Brain scans revealed a
dramatic increase in activity in the hypothalamic region of the brain
following inhalation of the essential oils of frankincense, myrrh, and
sandalwood.
Another researcher, Alan Hirsch. M.D., Director of the Smell and Taste
Research Foundation in Chicago has shown that several fragrances -
including peppermint - exert a highly stimulating effect on the
hypothalamus of the brain. Peppermint seems to act specifically on the
ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, which regulates many basic
drives, including the sense of satiety (the feeling of fullness generated
by eating). During his clinical trials, the aroma of peppermint generated
dramatic reductions in weight in people who had previously been
unsuccessful in any sort of weight reduction program.
Inadequate Deep Sleep
As we grow older, sleep becomes shorter and shallower. Because most of our
growth hormone is produced during slow wave deep sleep (also called stage
IV delta wave sleep), inadequate deep sleep can result in slowed growth
hormone production. A deficiency of deep sleep can also undermine
resistance to viral and bacterial infections since the immune system is far
more active during this time.
One of the best-studied antioxidants for promoting deep sleep is melatonin,
a hormone secreted by the pineal gland.
Melatonin's ability to raise growth hormone levels was analyzed in several
clinical studies (Smythe et al., 1974; Valcavi et al., 1993).
In the most recent study, melatonin produced a twofold increase in growth
hormone levels in a group of adult men when combined with GHRH (growth
hormone releasing hormone).
Greg Fahy, Ph.D., of the Naval Medical Research Institute in Bethesda,
Maryland, is convinced that growth hormone levels fall due to declining
melatonin levels. It is widely accepted that both melatonin and growth
hormone levels fall in sync as the body ages, and Fahy believes that
decreasing melatonin levels may be the cause.
Fahy states, "It may be that the reason melatonin is good for you is
that it stimulates growth hormone release."
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforata) increases levels of serotinin,
the daytime equivalent to melatonin. Serotinin is a neurotransmitter
intimately linked with relaxation and normal limbic function of the brain.
It may be the most underrated natural hypothalamus supporter yet
identified.
Amino Acids: Safe Growth Hormone Releasers
Some amino acids are natural secretagogues (growth hormone releasers). Some
of the most effective secretagogues include L-glutamine, L-arginine,
L-ornithine, and L-lysine. Individually, they safely promote the natural
release of growth hormone from the pituitary.
The amino acid L-arginine has displayed particularly noticeable promise in
increasing hGH levels by blocking the production of growth-hormone
inhibitors (ie., somato-statin). One study at Kent State University in Ohio
showed that oral doses of L-arginine produced dramatic increases in growth
hormone levels. The most effective dosage was 160 mg. per kilogram of body
weight.
When combined with L-lysine, L-arginine's effects on growth hormone levels
are amplified. A. Isidori combined 1.2 grams of L-arginine with 1.2 grams
of L-lysine in a 1981 study at the University of Rome. The combination
increased hGH levels 10 times over what was achieved with L-arginine alone
(Isidori et al., 1981). Even though a second study in Baltimore,
Maryland, could not replicate Isidori's findings, other researchers have
shown the L-lysine/L-arginine combination may increase thymic hormone
secretion.
L-glutamine has also been researched for its hGH-promoting effects. In a
study at Louisiana State University, Thomas Welbourne, showed that oral
doses of at least two grams of glutamine per day raised hGH levels over
four times that of a placebo.
Many researchers have been exploring the growth hormone-enhancing effects
of various combinations of these amino acids. The results indicated a
powerful synergistic effect when specific amino acids are combined in the
proper ratios. Vincent Giampapa, M.D., Director of the Longevity Institute
International, used L-ornithine, L-arginine, and L-glutamine to
dramatically elevate hGH levels.
GABA (gammaaminobutyric acid) is another nutrient that can amplify growth
hormone production. Several studies have examined GABA's role in regulating
growth hormone levels, including one conducted at the University of
Manitoba Department of Medicine. According to this study, the amount of
growth hormone released by the pituitary is directly related to blood serum
levels of GABA. This means that the lower the level of GABA in the blood,
the lower the level of GH. Other studies have achieved similar results
(Cavagnini, et al., 1980; Acs et al., 1992).
Vitamin B-6, magnesium and zinc are also pivotal in maintaining optimal
pituitary function. At least twice the RDA (recommended daily allowance) is
needed for routine maintenance: 800 mg of magnesium, 30 mg of zinc; and 4
mg of vitamin B-6.
Besides hGH, the pituitary secretes 10 different all of which are necessary
for balance (homeostasis) in the body. By prompting the pituitary to
secrete more of all hormones rather than just hGH, the side effects
associated with hGH alone are avoided.
Five Important Lifestyle Changes to Ward Off Premature
Aging
1. Avoid Petrochemicals
Scientists have long known that some agricultural and industrial chemicals
have potent estrogenic effects. However, recent research indicates that
these chemicals may also tie up growth hormone IGF-1 receptors, thereby
preventing growth hormone from exerting its beneficial effects throughout
the body.
This is why thorough intestinal cleansing to prevent the build up of
chemicals and toxins is so important. This is also why avoidance of
synthetic or petrochemical-based personal care products is essential.
Essential oils like rosemary, lavender, and clove can contribute to
dissolving petrochemical residues and counteracting cell membrane
thickening that reduces receptor sensitivity to GH. This is because many
essential oils possess a chemistry similar to the phospholipid structure of
the cell membrane.
During D. Gary Young's clinical research in California during the
1980s, he observed firsthand the ability of essential oils to open cell
membranes and enhance nutrient absorption. He conducted over 10,000 blood
studies on patients in which he compared essential oil-enhanced nutrients
to nutrients alone. Based on this research, he began combining essential
oils with foods as well as herbs and achieved phenomenal results.
D. Gary Young's success with essential oil-enhanced herbal and
nutrient formulas eventually led him to begin distributing these formulas
through his medical practice and now through his company, Young Living
Essential Oils, located in Payson, Utah.
2. Multi-hormone Replacement
Multi-hormone replacement better mimics the body's natural homeostasis and
is far superior to using growth hormone alone.
One prominent medical researcher, Thierry Hertoghe, M.D., believes that
there is a strong synergy between hormones.
"If you give two, three or four, it's like you're giving eight because of
the synergistic effect. You get the best effect when you fill in all the
gaps."
Other researchers agree. "It may be," says Dr. Klatz, "that
multi-hormone replacement with testosterone, DHEA, melatonin, and growth
hormone offers the best defense for men against prostate cancer."
John Lee, M.D., an expert on natural progesterone and author of WHAT YOUR
DOCTOR MAY NOT TELL YOU ABOUT MENOPAUSE, has long emphasized hormone
balance, not stimulation:
"Though each hormone is unique, hormone balance involves a complex
harmonious blend of all hormones. I tend to think of hormones as
instruments in an orchestra — the harmony we seek is the proper contribution
of all the instruments together not only in pitch but also in volume and
rhythm. The same is true of sex hormones and thyroid hormone."
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Preliminary research indicates that natural progesterone significantly
enhances the beneficial effects of growth hormone. However, only natural,
soy-derived progesterone offers any benefit, since it is identical to that
secreted by the body. Synthetic progesterone (i.e., Progestin) are
chemically very different from natural progesterone and plagued with side
effects and long-term complications, such as increased cancer risk,
depression, mood swings, decreased libido, and weight gain.
Some of the best forms of natural progesterone are topical creams that
work through transdermal absorption. During the past several years, an
avalanche of progesterone creams have hit the market with progesterone
content ranging from almost none to over 1,000 mg. per ounce. With quality
control being so haphazard, the public can have no guarantee of cream
quality.
D. Gary Young has recently developed a transdermal cream, which
encourages the body to make its own progesterone and other needed hormones
using Pregnenolone. Pregnenolone is a key substance which plays a central
role in all reproductive processes and is the building block from which
DHEA, progesterone, estrogen, estriol, estradiol, testosterone, and other
hormones are created in the body. It is highly discriminative and only
converts to other hormones if they are needed by the body, reducing the
risk for side effects, which are sometimes experienced with DHEA and other
hormone precursors. It does not have any negative side effects, even after
decades of use.
3. How Fasting and Diet Enhance GH
Fasting can be one of the most potent natural inducers of growth hormone
release. Ray Walford, M.D., a leading expert on aging and author of the
120 Year Diet, suggests a two-day-a-week fast as an efficient way to cut
down calories for life extension. Other researchers have shown that
limiting caloric intake by 20% or more dramatically increases growth
hormone and IGF-1 levels.
Why does fasting increase longevity? Researchers believe that reduced
levels of glucose in the blood triggers the hypothalamus to release GHRH,
which, in turn, promotes higher growth hormone levels.
4. Supporting Thyroid Function
Maintaining low blood sugar levels is one of the most effective ways to
enhance growth hormone production. This is because low blood sugar levels
are one of the key signals that alerts the hypothalamus secrete GHRH, the
hormone responsible for telling the pituitary to produce growth hormone.
One of the best ways to keep blood sugar low is through supporting thyroid
function. If the thyroid is underactive, it may lead to higher-than-normal
blood sugar levels and, thus, lower-than-normal growth hormone production.
Many people call the thyroid the energy gland for the entire human body
because the hormone it secretes, thyroxin, is important in the conversion
of glucose into energy. If not enough iodine is present in the diet, the
thyroid cannot produce adequate quantities of thyroxine to maintain
aqequate energy levels and lower blood sugar levels.
Increasing your intake of dietary iodine along with zinc and Coenzyme QlO
may be the easiest way to increase thyroid hormone function. Gary Young,
, achieved excellent results in his clinical practice by using kelp (a
sea vegetable rich in iodine), Coenzyme QlO, zinc, potassium, and the
essential oil of myrtle (Myrtus communis).
5. Exercise: The Best Kept Secret For Releasing GH Naturally
Sustained high-intensity exercise is one of the most effective natural
growth hormone releasers. Activities such as running and resistance
training (weight lifting) have been shown to increase the quantity of
growth hormone in the body by increasing the sensitivity of the
hypothalamus.
Even moderate-intensity exercise may be enough to promote improved GH
release. A study conducted at the University of Florida by Stephen Borst
compared the ability of various forms of exercise to increase GH levels.
Moderate weight training in particular produced dramatic increases in
growth hormone levels. (Borst et al., 1994)
Fitness legend, Dr. Bob Delmonteque, has been practicing this prescription
for over 60 years. He has used a combination of correct nutrition,
resistance training, and aerobic exercise to achieve an astounding state of
conditioning even at an advanced age. At 80 years old he looks better than
most men do at age 20 - with mental powers to match. "I have a memory
like an elephant," he recently told an interviewer.
|
Dr. Delmonteque has continued to gain muscle and strength even at his
advanced age. "Some people believe you can't gain muscle after age 60,"
he said. "But I have continued to prove them wrong. And since I have
started using D. Gary Young's Wolfberry products, I have gained an
inch and half on my chest and an inch on my arms — all solid muscle. To
avoid blowing out the seams in my Brioni suits, I've had to buy a whole new
wardrobe."
|
How Different Exercises Effect Growth Hormone Levels
| Stationary
Bike | Mod. | 145%
increase |
| High | 166%
increase |
| Running (men) | Mod. | None to
moderate |
| Running (women) | High | 266%
increase |
| Weight training | 85%* | 400%
increase |
| 70%*
| 300% increase |
| *percent of maximum lift
capacity. |
| Journal of the American Geriatrics Society,
1994 |
Why Oral Nutrient Sprays Offer a
Superior Drug Delivery System
A new form of nutrient delivery has recently gained prominence among
progressive physicians and health practitioners: Oral Mucosal Absorption
(OMA). Radically different from pills, patches, or injections, OMA promises
to redefine the way we look at nutrient delivery.
One of the problems with many of the studies that tested the anti-aging
effects of growth hormone was that researchers used hGH injections
administered several times a week. However, this created negative side
effects because such injections were not timed to coincide with the body's
natural cyclic release of growth hormone, which occurs several times a day
(with the largest burst occurring two hours after falling asleep).
Mimicking the timing and dosage of these natural GH pulses is important in
order to skirt the side effects and unlock the rejuvenating potential of
growth hormone.
This is why oral sprays represent such a breakthrough in natural GH
release. Users can now take doses of growth-hormone-releasing nutrients
several times a day, allowing them to more closely mimic the natural cyclic
secretions of GH by the pituitary.
Oral sprays may also be far more efficient in delivering growth hormone
than either pills or injections since they are sprayed directly inside the
mouth. Doctors have long known that the inner lining of the mouth near the
cheek area (known as the "buccal cavity") is exceptionally rich in surface
blood vessels. In fact, according to the PHYSICIANS DESK REFERENCE
HANDBOOK, oral absorption is approximately 90% efficient, having twice the
efficiency of transdermal patches and five times the efficiency of capsules
and tablets.*
*(Condensed, revised and reprinted from the Essential Edge, April,
1999, [by permission] by independent distr. R. James)
