This was one of the headlines in the current issue of Men’s Health Magazine sent to me by a customer. In his email to me Howie quoted what he had read:

(On Our Radar) Supplement Warning

“You may want to avoid supplements that contain L-arginine. Syracuse University researchers recently found that the amino acid diminishes the normal postexercise release of growth hormone, which signals your body to build muscle and burn fat. When men in the study popped an L-arginine capsule before pumping iron, their growth-hormone production fell 50 percent, compare with when they hit the wieghts without the pill. ”

Thanks for passing this on Howie.

However, I honestly wouldn’t read much into this.

I think it’s a bit sensationalist of Men’s Health Magazine suggesting a ‘Supplement Warning’. L-Arginine is a well reseached ingredient and has been used with great success for many years.

L-Arginine has also been shown to increase the production of HGH as measured by IGF-1. It is very difficult to measure HGH itself as it fluctuates widely and is produced by the body in “fit’s and start’s” Most of the HGH that is produced by the body goes to the liver where it is mediated into IGF-1 (Insulin growth factor). This is how most scientists and physicians determine the levels of HGH in the body, because unlike HGH itself it does not vary much throughout the day and as such is a much more reliable indicator.

With regard to this study I can only speculate why they got their results, or if they are even credible. It would require a bio-chemist to study in detail all the papers relating to this study in order to make an informed statement.

Nonetheless, I could offer an opinion which might account for their results

If someone took an L-Arginine supplement just prior to a work out it could potentially raise their HGH temporarily whilst they were having their work out. With these higher levels the body may well decide that it has enough for the moment and as such not bother to produce any more for the moment.

Also, another factor would influence the results is how much L-Arginine did they take before exercising? Was it 200mgs or 5000mgs which some body builders take. Was it L-Arginine Base or L-Arginine HCL or some other form?

At the end of the day it is the average level of IGF-1 (Insulin growth factor) in the body throughout the day which is important, not temporary fluctuations.

Unfortunately, magazines have a tendency to ‘pick the eye’s’ out of a study to make a headline which helps stimulate the interest of readers?

I for one will happily continue consuming the modest amounts of L-Arginine that we have in our Xtend-Life Supplements. The scientific proof supporting its benefits is overwhelming.

Oh…I should mention here that I do not advocate the taking of HIGH doses of L-arginine or, any amino acid for that matter. (Some people take 3 – 5 grams a day) If they do they should take a break of about 14 days every 30 days.

by Warren Matthews of Xtend-Life