Use of amino acids as growth hormone-releasing agents by athletes

Many would like to believe that the fantastic results they get (or can get) while training intensely, eating voraciously, and allowing sufficient recovery are the product of a commercial supplement.
 
Based upon all available literature that I have seen, this is wrongly arttributing results.  It is more likely that "training intensely, eating voraciously, and allowing sufficient recovery" are responsible for the gains.  Research demonstrates this fact again and again.
 
However, this does not mean we should not look for ways to get that extra little edge from understanding exercise and nutrition science and supplementation.  In fact there are many benefits other than GH release or measurable muscle gains from many available supplements.  Benefits which, in the long run, may in fact contribute to one's ability to sustain growth, maintain muscle, train harder, recover faster, etc!!!
 
Much research needs to be done to clarify long term effects of many modalities of performance enhancement.  At the same time, much research is done in what I consider ineffective environments that do not adequately mimic the environment in which we, as bodybuilders, are likely to use supplements. 
 
Reading research on various amino acids, for instance, often leads me to wish they had investigated taking a more controlled approach.  Why not have the athletes on a controlled, body-building style diet plan to knock out that variable?  Sometimes researchers do.
 
On to this published review!
 
It is often cited in marketing that oral L-Arganine (also lysine and ornithine) supplementation leads to raised GH release and a resultant increase in muscle.  While, technically, this is only true if they are injected at the right dose...
 
In the review of available research and data discussed below, the researchers determined from studies that oral supplementation (before-strength-training) with certain amino acids (even those known to be capable of inducing GH release) DOES NOT increase muscle mass and strength to a greater extent than strength training alone.
 
A number of well-controlled studies, several with experienced weight lifters, also reported no  increases in HGH levels or various measures of muscular strength or power.
 
Fogelholm, G. M., et al. Low-dose amino acid supplementation: No effects on serum growth hormone and insulin in male weightlifters. International Journal of Sport Nutrition 3: 290-97, 1993.
 
Lambert, M., et al. Failure of commercial oral amino acid supplements to increase serum growth hormone concentrations in male body builders. International Journal of Sport Nutrition 3: 298-305, 1993
 
Suminski, R., et al. Acute effect of amino acid ingestion and resistance exercise on plasma growth hormone concentration in young men. International Journal of Sport Nutrition 7: 48-60, 1997.
 
I want to note the while new information on this is always coming up, as late as 2005, there was still no evidence that oral supplementation with various amino acids could lead to heightened GH release or that the effect was any different than that of training alone.

 
Based upon a review of literature:
------------------------------------------------------
Use of amino acids as growth hormone-releasing agents by athletes.
Chromiak JA, Antonio J.
Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Sport, Mississippi State University,
 
Specific amino acids, such as arginine, lysine and ornithine, can stimulate growth hormone (GH) release when infused intravenously or administered orally. Many individuals consume amino acids before strength training workouts, believing this practice accentuates the exercise-induced GH release, thereby promoting greater gains in muscle mass and strength. The GH response to amino acid administration has a high degree of interindividual variability and may be altered by training status, sex, age, and diet. Although parenteral administration consistently leads to increased circulating GH concentration, oral doses that are great enough to induce significant GH release are likely to cause stomach discomfort and diarrhea.
 
During exercise, intensity is a major determinant of GH release. Although one study showed that arginine infusion can heighten the GH response to exercise, no studies found that pre-exercise oral amino acid supplementation augments GH release. Further, no appropriately conducted scientific studies found that oral supplementation with amino acids, which are capable of inducing GH release, before strength training increases muscle mass and strength to a greater extent than strength training alone. The use of specific amino acids to stimulate GH release by athletes is not recommended.

------------------------------------------------------

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I want to point out one interesting piece of information about one of those research papers:
 
---------------------------------------------------------
Acute effect of amino acid ingestion and resistance exercise on plasma growth hormone concentration in young men.
Suminski RR, Robertson RJ, Goss FL, Arslanian S, Kang J, DaSilva S, Utter AC, Metz KF.
Human Performance Laboratory, University of Houston, TX 77204, USA. 1997
 
Sixteen men completed four trials at random as follows: (Trial A) performance of a single bout of resistance exercise preceded by placebo ingestion (vitamin C); (Trial B) ingestion of 1,500 mg L-arginine and 1,500 mg L-lysine, immediately followed by exercise as in Trial A; (Trial C) ingestion of amino acids as in Trial B and no exercise; (Trial D) placebo ingestion and no exercise. Growth hormone (GH) concentrations were higher at 30, 60, and 90 min during the exercise trials (A and B) compared with the resting trials (C and D) (p < .05). No differences were noted in [GH] between the exercise trials.
 
 [GH] was significantly elevated during resting conditions 60 min after amino acid ingestion compared with the placebo trial.
 
It was concluded that ingestion of 1,500 mg arginine and 1,500 mg lysine immediately before resistance exercise does not alter exercise-induced changes in [GH] in young men.
 
However, when the same amino acid mixture is ingested under basal conditions, the acute secretion of GH is increased.
---------------------------------------------------------
 
Consuming 1,500 mg L-Arganine and 1,500 mg L-Lysine when resting does appear to have a GH stimulatory effect.
 
Now, I am not sure if they have isloate this effect to one or the other. 
 
Oral arginine does not stimulate basal or augment exercise-induced GH secretion in either young or old adults.
Marcell TJ, Taaffe DR, Hawkins SA, Tarpenning KM, Pyka G, Kohlmeier L, Wiswell RA, Marcus R. 1999
 
This determined that 5g L-arganine did nothing either at rest or during exercise.  However 5g may have been too high a dose for the desired effect.  Sometimes takin too much inhibits fast release from the digestive track before being processed.  (this has also been observed with glutamine supplementation)
 

Oral arginine attenuates the growth hormone response to resistance exercise.
Collier SR, Collins E, Kanaley JA. 2006
 
This research used 7 grams and found that taken pre-exercise it REDUCED GH release!
Taken alone it did have a stimulatory effect on GH, but much less than exercise alone!
GH production in this test was as follows: Exercise > Arganine+Ex > Arg > placebo
 
Growth hormone responses to varying doses of oral arginine.
Collier SR, Casey DP, Kanaley JA. 2005
 
This was performed AT REST and FASTING!
 
"In conclusion, 5 and 9 g of oral arginine caused a significant GH response. A 13 g dose of arginine resulted in considerable gastrointestinal distress in most subjects without augmentation in the GH response. The rise in GH concentration started approximately 30 min after ingestion and peaked approximately 60 min post ingestion."
 
Interesting.

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Sure is...
 
Does this mean the Champion Amino Shooters I'm taking 5 mins prior and 20 minutes during my workout are not proven to do anything in relation to GH?
 
However, muscle sparing has some positive research for aminos during your workouts.

Marc C. David - NGA CPT
Author of NoBull Bodybuilding
www.nobullbodybuilding.com

Marc..this research was focused primarily on arginine, lysine and ornithine.
 
Also, the effect they looked at was HGH release and muscle growth.
 
L-Arganine has some very potent effects in the body, however it's effect on muscle growth in a short term view appears to be fairly limited.  Likewise its effect on HGH release, unless taken in a resting state, and then there is only a short 30 minute response.  That 30 minutes could be used to good effect in the right program.
 
Your Champion Amino Shooter has many other potent properties and effects that, as far as I have read in recent literature, are quite valid.   Plus it is more than just aminos! DGL for instance has many properties that may, in addition to increasing energy for the workout, contribute to liver protection and joint repair.
 
For me of course the trouble with the shooter is the other ingrdients :
Citric acid, silicon dioxide, natural and artificial flavors, malic acid, xanthan, potassium phosphate, sucralose, acesulfame-k, sodium citrate, red lake 40, 5-htp.
 
The bold ingredients would make me unwell.
 
Perhaps I will post a similar review of BCAA research.

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L-Arganine has some very potent effects in the body, however it's effect on muscle growth in a short term view appears to be fairly limited.

hmmm... well that kind of blows.. Think people make it out to be more then it really is.

Well, here are the two most noted properties of L-Arganine taken orally:

L-arganine is a poweful antioxidant. 
The oxidative stress caused by lifting is HUGE!  So it has a cellular protective properties.

L-arganine is a vosodilator.
The during and post workout demonds for blood are big.  So there is increased circulation and resulting increase in nourishment.  There can also be an experience of increased pump localized to the muscle trained.

Additionally, a close read of the things I posted indicates that taking L-Arganine in a fasting, resting state can give you a brief HGH rise.  This might be used to one's benefit.

I would like to run a complex clinical double-blind, placebo controlled trial on it some time.

Variables:
Time -
-AM
-Mid day
-Pre-Bed
Training -
-None
-Aerobic
-Intense Weight lifting
Dose (each with and without 1.5g lysine) -
1.5g
5g
7g
9g
Age
20
50
70
Gender
Placebo
 
I realize that I am ambitious and that I have
432+ variable combinations...and that would require about 2200 participants...or running the trial with the same group of 30-90 people 25-75 times...

Add to this that I would want to run the trial for 8-10 weeks.

I need a big grant!

Can't wait til I can do this!!!

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do u need all 20 diffrent amino acids?

Devon, your questions is very vague and I am not sure what exactly you are asking.
 
Please read the article and comments if you are asking about the headline of the thread...if you mean something else or have any questions about that, please phrase your questios more completely....
 
i.e. Do you need all of the amino acids in order to build muscle?
 
Thanks!
 

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thats the question im asking

The short answer is, you need all the amino acids in the proper proportions to build muscle optimally.

Building muscle is a complex process.

To simplify this answer, I will speak in generalities.

In order to build muscle you first need to have provided sufficient intensity of stimuli from training.
Assuming you train with appropriate progressions and intensity...

You need to rest adequately to allow muscle to hypertrophy (grow.)
The next thing is diet!

You must eat a balanced meal (for hormonal balance and nutrient supply) frequently enough to insure that your body never has to go into a state where it needs nutrients and you have not supplied them.  This would be about every 3 to 3-1/2 hours.

When possible, the majority of these meals should be composed of a lean complete protein, a whole food starchy carbohydrate, and a fibrous carbohydrate (vegetable or sometimes a fruit).

Eating this way would ideally supply the full compliment of amino acids every 3 to 3-1/2 hours.

In building muscle, there is what we will call the limiting factor to growth.

If you take in a certain amount of amino acids (protein) from a food source that is incomplete (does not have all the necessary amino acids) then the ability of your body to build muscle is limited to the available amino acids - up to the limit of the most limiting amino acid.

The body has stores and can produce certain amino acids, termed non-essential amino acids, and it is often said that one only needs to supply the essential amino acids for growth.  This is directed at the normal population and NOT at bodybuilders and athletes.  The demands for growth require that all the necessary building blocks be present at the time of growth or growth is limited.  

For optimal muscle gains, you will want to assure that your diet is sufficient to meet the demands of ongoing growth!

There are plenty of technical details I have left out, but I hope this answered your question in a useful way!

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Great info here!  Thanks Dan!
I've doubted a lot of the claims made on any suppliment simply because, for the most part, there are no real scientific studies to back up the claims nor are there any regulations to require it.
 
Ironically, I got the best advice on aminos from my wife's OB/Gyn.
 
She said that while most of the claims made on L-Arginine  are not proven when taken orally (increase in HGH, sexual function etc)  there is no doubt that amino acids are the building blocks of protein and that injesting them would help provide the necessary components for building muscle (just like eating peanuts or meat).
 
So, I've stuck with it because:
1)  It's a low calorie and fat free source of proteins building blocks that my body needs for adding muscle
2)  Maybe the science will prove one day that some of these claims are true
 
Perhaps I've oversimplified it but I'd like to hear your thoughts.
 

L-arganine does have some very positive properties that have little to do with MASS or KILLER PUMPS or VIRILITY!!
 
I also use pure Arganine...
Now L-Arganine
(At 4 G per serving (2 2/3 teaspoon or 13 mL) that has 113 servings at about 21 cents each.)

Because of the hocus-pocus approach most people take to using NO precursors, I have to assume that they don't have a clear view of what it really does as an antioxidant and Nitri Oxide (NO) precursor.

L-Arganine (4-6 grams) works even more powerfully when L-Citrulline (200-1000g), Vit C (500mg), Vit E (200iu), Folic Acid (400 - 800 mcg) and Alpha Lipoic Acid (10mg) per day are taken as well.  Most of this is covered in your multivitamin or antioxidant.

Your diet can positively or adversley effect NO production.

Best time to take L-Arganine is pre bed.  Also you could use it on off days during rest periods.

For a deeper understanding of its use and history you can read a very simple book by the doctor who won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for discovering the importance of Nitric Oxide to the cardiovascular system.
Dr Ignarro's book NO More Heart Disease
 
As far as using L-Arganine as a protein...thats not really a great approach.  For the above mentioned effects, you want to take it isolated from other proteins.
 
The claims are based on truth.  They are simply exagerated! 
L-Arganine is a vasodilator (through the function of the NO) but you won't get a noticeable pump from it! (however if you look at the proprietary blends sold as NOs you will see lots of caffein and other stuff!  Which WILL make you feel amped)
 
L-Arganine is a poweful antioxidant and supports other antioxidants to recycle...which protects cells from damage. But you won't notice that!  Though it will benefit your life and your training.

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Interesting.
 
What was the purpuse of taking lysine along with arginine in 1:1 doses? Does lysine have some supposed hgh releasing effects itself or is it just to counteract the arginine from causing the herpes virus to replicate?
 
Thought the study just says it uses arginine. Now I would think arginine alpha-ketoglutarate used in NO products would be more effective considering the better absorbtion, and that does seem to be the key since injected arginine works. Just an assumption though.

Thought the study just says it uses arginine. Now I would think arginine alpha-ketoglutarate used in NO products would be more effective considering the better absorbtion, and that does seem to be the key since injected arginine works. Just an assumption though.

 
Yes, well the assumption that it is faster absorbing is just that.  There is no evidence or reason to believe it assists in any way to my knowledge.
 

What was the purpuse of taking lysine along with arginine in 1:1 doses? Does lysine have some supposed hgh releasing effects itself or is it just to counteract the arginine from causing the herpes virus to replicate?

 
Specific amino acids, such as lysine can stimulate growth hormone (GH) release when infused intravenously. It has been believed that lysine might amplify the GH release stimulating response of Arginine.

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I believe this is the culprit:
 
A study of growth hormone release in man after oral administration of amino acids.
Isidori A, Lo Monaco A, Cappa M.
Curr Med Res Opin. 1981;7(7):475-81. Links

A study was carried out in 15 male volunteers to evaluate qualitatively the secretion of growth factors following stimulation by oral amino acids. The results showed that oral administration of a combination of two amino acids (1200 mg 1-lysine plus 1200 mg 1-arginine) provoked a release of pituitary somatotropin and insulin. This phenomenon was reproducible and the growth hormone secreted in response to this stimulation had biological activity (as demonstrated by a radioreceptor assay and somatomedin induction). The effect appeared to be specific to the combination of the two amino acids; neither of the amino acids demonstrated appreciable stimulating activity when administered alone, even at the same doses.

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Excellent. I had a pretty good idea about Arginine and GH. This answered pretty much everything inbetween.

great post! some seriously useful information that I have been trying to find myself for sometime. Glad I have all the facts now

Dan, many many star ratings for this one and most of your posts on here...........see the stars???
Linda

Come Visit my websites! www.figureteam.com www.lindacusmano.com www.bodyrushpersonaltraining.com

Thanks Linda ...I am glad the clinical review is benefiting people!

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Dan,

I got this message from a friend who I do like.. but he needs to read your post.   I agree that it was "believed" to make a difference at one point but in recent research and specifically pointed at resistance training, supplementing with L-Arginine does not raise GH in a level that would directly affect muscle growth.  Seems to me there *may* be other benefits but overall, it's not a miracle supplement.

It's good to see you listed the other lesser known benefits, the amounts to take and when to take them.

Good job!

*******Original Message********

L-Arginine is a GREAT supplement to add to your program because not
only does it increase blood flow to your body's muscles (even your
uh, "main man muscle", giving it the reputation as a "natural
V1agra")...

...but it's ALSO a great way to naturally increase growth hormone
if taken correctly.

*****************************************

Marc C. David - NGA CPT
Author of NoBull Bodybuilding
www.nobullbodybuilding.com