Growth hormone (GH) is the major hormone in the human body that maintains healthy muscle status (anabolic hormones such as GH build up living cells). In adulthood, GH levels gradually decline in humans. The author of this article proposes a new, patented technique for increasing night-time GH release by using 25-100 mg. l-ornithine and 500 mg. acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) at bedtime after a 3-4 hour fast. The dose of ornithine controls the amount of GH produced. Food eaten before the dosage cancels the effect.

This technique has been tested in humans and only works at night.. ALCAR and l-ornithine are produced naturally in the body and are nontoxic. In men, 85-90% of GH is produced at night and in premenopausal women, 40-50% of GH is produced at night. Production of GH in postmenopausal women is similar to that in men.

Increased blood levels of l-arginine result in improved levels of GH and elevated levels of l-ornithine. Improved levels of l-arginine do not result in improved overnight levels of GH, however.

There is a hypothalamic/pituitary feedback mechanism for the release of GH from the pituitary. The hypothalamus and the pituitary are parts of the brain involved in GH production and are part of the hypophyseal-pituitary-adrenal axis stress response.

This technique has been shown to result in the feeling of improved sleep, slight darkening of the hair and improved hair and nail growth. Gradual increase of the dose of l-ornithine results in the sensation of a reduced need for nighttime sleep.

CONCLUSION: Reduced levels of growth hormone (GH) in adulthood may result in abnormal muscle decline. The author proposes the use of acetly-l-carnitine and l-ornithine oral supplementation at bedtime to maintain improved GH levels to improve anabolic mechanisms in the body.

To read the author’s abstract of the article click on the link to the author’s title above.

PMID: 11388776.

Summary #145.