The Acute Effects of a Dietary Supplement on Serum Growth Hormone Levels in Weight-Trained Male Subjects
Tanis, D., Orrell, D., MacAnulty, A., and Long, Dr. W.
Lab Corp and Applied Nutriceuticals Research, Charlotte, North Carolina 28269
Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dirk Tanis, Jr., MSci, Department of Research, Applied Nutriceuticals, 8112 Statesville Road Suite G, Charlotte, NC 28269.
* Abstract
*Many weight-trained men seek to raise circulating serum growth hormone (GH) levels, both through training, and supplementation. The major source of circulating GH is the pituitary. The known anabolic effects of GH on skeletal muscle, and the current rise in supplements on the current market that purport increases in GH and related body composition, has become a huge market in the United States. Most oral growth hormone supplements have been shown to be ineffective, due to various factors, and, aside from several medically-supervised challenge tests, injectible peptides have historically been the only way to increase GH levels. However, a dietary supplement formulation that recently hit the International market, HGH-Up , containing L-Dopa, a Dopa Decarboxylase Inhibitor (DDCI), specific vitamins and minerals, and Huperzine-A, a potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and somatostatin inhibitor seems to be promising in allowing for the increase of Serum GH in weight-trained men. We sought to test this hypothesis in the study. Methods: 3 men (mean age, 33 +- 3.2 yr, range 22-44) with at least 5 years of weight-training experience were studied. Parameters measured were mean body weight (230.0 lbs +- 20.2 lbs.), mean body fat (10.2 % +- 0.92%), mean muscular mass (206.54 lbs. +- 18.5 lbs.), and mean fat mass (23.46 lbs +- 2.11 lbs). Serum GH levels were measured via bloodwork (Lab Corp?) on two separate days, after an overnight fast. Serum GH levels were measured with (Test) and without (Baseline) having taken the supplement, with serum GH being measured at time (t)= -15, 45, 90, and 150 min. 4 separate blood draws per analysis period were taken; 8 total per subject over two separate days, and on the test day, subjects were given a 6 capsule dosage of the supplement (t=0). Results: Each of the 3 weight-trained men (100%) had frank increases in serum GH levels after a 6 capsule dosage of HGH-Up when compared to baseline values. Average baseline Serum GH for the entire group was 0.496 ng/mL +- 0.045 ng/mL (SEM). Average peak Serum GH following administration of the supplement was 11.8 ng/mL +- 1.06 ng/mL, representing an average total rise of 2,379% in Serum GH values for the group.
