Diminishing pituitary gland function can have far-reaching effects on the secretion of growth hormone. You might not realize it, but growth hormone is not only essential for children’s growth – adults also need it for healthy metabolism and bone mineral density, maintaining a good ratio of lean tissue to body fat, and for healthy skin. Growth hormone provides anabolic (tissue-building) effects, but by the time we reach our forties, levels can fall by as much as 50% from those present in childhood. Suboptimal pituitary function can therefore lead to a state of catabolism (tissue breakdown) that often manifests as:

• Decreasing lean muscle mass
• Increasing body fat
• Increasing waist size
• Rising levels of dangerous fats such as low-density lipoprotein.

Aging may affect a number of important stimuli for growth hormone release such as optimum levels of sleep and exercise, low blood sugar levels, and levels of tissue-building amino acids such as arginine. Meanwhile, inhibitors of growth hormone secretion can become moreprominent – such as a growth hormone blocker called somatostatin as well as rising blood levels of sugars and free fatty acids.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to naturally slow down the rate at which growth hormone secretion declines. Firstly, somatostatincan itself be inhibited with cholinergic agonists such as choline.1Secondly, human studies show that amino acids such as arginine and ornithine can help preserve and maximize lean tissue mass2 as well as supporting efforts to exercise more effectively – a key factor in increasing growth hormone production. Thirdly, these anabolic effects can be complemented with the amino acids glutamine and glycine, which help to stimulate the release of endogenous growth hormone.3

Growth hormone is secreted in cycles during the day, with the greatest spurts occurring during exercise and shortly after falling asleep. Life Extension now offers two new formulas to help support maintenance of body composition and pituitary function. GH Pituitary Support Day Formula, which should ideally be taken before exercise, contains choline plus arginine and ornithine in the alpha-ketoglutarate form.

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If you have diabetes and/or significant kidney or liver disease, please consult with your healthcare practitioner before using this product.