HGH in the form of pills and powders generally use amino acids and are called “secretagogues,” they stimulate the pituitary gland to increase HGH production. Other proprietary agents (nutrients) are usually part of the pills and powders mix and give each product a presumed marketing advantage.
Studies show certain amino acids, such as and L-arginine, can stimulate pituitary HGH.
Secretagogue formulations may utilize several different compounds:
- Amino acids
- Nutrients
- Herbs
Secretagogues are designed to create specific metabolic pathways which work in tandem to prompt a pulse release of HGH from the pituitary gland, while simultaneously inhibiting those compounds which block HGH.
Using compounds together in formula form appear to raise HGH levels. Oral supplementation of these key compounds appears to release HGH by working with muscle physiology, neutralizing other glandular signals which inhibit the release of HGH, enhancing protein response to build muscle, boosting cell replication and fat breakdown, stimulating certain sex hormones which build muscle and enhance stamina and energy, and by targeting specific brain chemicals which are involved in HGH actions.
In October 1999, a report from the symposium on ENDOCRINOLOGY OF AGING was published. The faculty included university and medical school professors from institutions around the world, such as Johns Hopkins University, NIH, Mayo Clinic, Harvard, UVA, UCLA, UCSF, and many more. Some were from foreign countries, including England, Italy, Holland, and Austria.
This report indicates that resistance gradually develops to secretagogues. Resistance occurs gradually after the first few months of use. Even the most effective secretagogues have limited long-term benefit.
Secretagogues that stimulate HGH release also stimulate ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone, stimulates secretion of hormones such as cortisol), which normally increase to undesirable levels with aging anyway. Secretagogues have been shown to create high levels of cortisone, which can block the benefit from HGH.
Merck Pharmaceutical Company discontinued research on one such secretagogue, a peptide mimic called MK-677, partially for this reason.
Authors opinion: Secretagogues pills and powders have been around for quite awhile, particularly in the athletic field, and have been known by the name “stacks.” Each product on the market seems to have a different mixture of chemical compounds and nutrients.
Most contain large amounts of amino acids, particularly L-Arginine.
As indicated above, resistance to the secretagogue compounds and nutrients develops over time. This is called tachyphylaxsis and is the reason athletes cycle (alternate days on, days off) these types of supplementation.
Cycling gives the body (receptor sites) time to rest.
You should be aware that many of the secretagogue pills and powders have carriers and buffers to help absorption, assimilation and facilitate transport of the amino acids to the brain.
- Carriers – generally complex glucose peptides which supposedly protect the amino acids from the gastrointestinal acids and helps absorption.
- Buffers – the stomach is a pretty harsh environment – buffers are used to buffer the stomach acids and further shield the amino acids from being destroyed.