Anti-oxidants, hormone replacement therapies, detoxification strategies, etc. are all available in our anti-aging tool chest. Of all the anti-aging therapies, however, the one, which seems to have the greatest potential to unlock this dream-come-true of restoring youth to the aged, the one with the greatest pizzazz and sex appeal, at this point in time, is human growth hormone or hGH. There is a mystique surrounding hGH unlike that associated with any of the other anti-aging modalities.

It has been 10 years since Dr. Daniel Rudman published the results of his study on the effects of hGH administration to healthy middle-aged men. The following is a list of what he found:

• 8.8 % increase in muscle mass on average without exercise

• 14.4 % decrease in body fat without dieting

• Higher energy level

• Enhanced sexual performance

• Regrowth of vital organs

• Greater cardiac output

• Superior Immune function

• Better kidney function

• Lower blood pressure

• Stronger bones

• Faster wound healing

• Younger, tighter thicker skin

• Hair regrowth

• Wrinkle removal

• Elimination of cellulite

• Sharper vision

• Mood elevation

• Improved memory

• Better sleep

• Improved cholesterol profile

One of the main problems with hGH, however, has been the fact that until recently, the only method by which it could be administered was via injection. Daily injections of hGH remain the best method of increasing growth hormone levels in the body. In the past few years, additional novel methods of hGH administration have begun to appear on the scene. In particular, some oral homeopathic preparations are now available, as well as some specific products called secretagogues which cause the pituitary to release some of the hGH it keeps stored within the brain.

One advantage of homeopathic growth hormone is that it is completely safe. There has never been a study showing significant adverse reactions from any homeopathic remedy. NEVER. Dr. Barbara Brewitt, formerly of the NIH and one of the original developers of homeopathic hGH has recently completed several double blind placebo controlled studies on these products. These studies show that homeopathic hGH preparations do raise IGF-1 levels, at least modestly. Increases of 25-40 ng/dl are typical, but for most people under 50 years of age, this increase corresponds to a 5-10 year improvement in IGF-1 levels. For most healthy people less than 50, this is a realistic range for age reversal: 5-10 years. 

In addition to oral homeopathic growth hormone, there are also specific amino acids and combinations of amino acids, which have the ability to raise circulating growth hormone levels. These compounds, called secretagogues, work by causing the pituitary gland to release (“secrete”) some of its stored growth hormone. These secretagogues are very effective at raising IGF-1 levels, and, in many cases, work even better than the oral homeopathic preparations. The overwhelming advantage of all of the oral formulations is that they are safe, convenient and inexpensive. They are also in keeping with our principle of partial hormone replacement therapy, of restoring some of our youthful hormone levels. We try to get a lot of the good, but none of the bad. 

Some of the amino acids, which have been used as secretagogues include arginine, ornithine, glutamine, lysine and glycine. Oral consumption of a few grams of these amino acids, alone or in combination, one or more times daily can result in profound increases in IGF-1 levels. 

There are two problems associated with their use, however. First of all, with advancing age, the pituitary becomes less and less responsive to secretagogue stimulation. In general, by the time people have reached 60 years of age, secretagogues have little effect. Secondly, in time, people develop what is called tachyphylaxis, or tolerance, to these compounds, and they no longer work as well. The solution to this latter problem is to take periodic rest breaks from them. For example, a typical protocol is to not take the secretagogues at least one day each week. After four months of use, we suggest a four to six week rest break. In addition, some people alternate their type of therapy. They may use oral homeopathic hGH for a month or two, then use secretagogues with or without the homeopathic hGH for a couple months, and then take a month off of everything. Older individuals may want to include injectable hGH as part of their rotation. This is the general protocol we follow for the patients we see requesting growth hormone supplementation.

We have recently begun to use a newly developed topically applied growth hormone secretagaogue that seems to mimic the activity of naturally occurring GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone coming from the hypothalamus), the body’s very own secretatgogue par excellence. These secretagogues do seem to exert profound and beneficial effects similar to those typically seen when injectable growth hormone is given. 

For information about how you can be tested for and determine if you a candidate for prescription growth hormone products (both injectable and topical preparations), call Frontier Medical Institute, toll free at 1-877-548-4387.