5 Ways to Optimize Growth Hormone Production

No matter what your age, growth hormone (GH) plays a role in energy levels, weight management and sex drive. Here are 5 simple lifestyle changes to make in order to optimize your growth hormone and feel your absolute best.

1. Eliminate added sugar. More and more research is concluding that added sugar is toxic to our bodies, and has been linked to diabetes, obesity, heart disease and other life-threatening conditions. When we eat too much sugar our insulin levels can become imbalances and cause an imbalance in growth hormone as well. Avoiding sugary foods and incorporating lean proteins, high-fiber foods, healthy fats and lots of vegetables can help to balance GH and many other hormones.

2. Get enough high-quality sleep. It’s one thing to get 8-10 hours of sleep every day, but getting good, uninterrupted sleep is another. Research has linked low quantity and poor quality of sleep to reduced GH levels since the hormone is synthesized while in a period of deep sleep. Going to bed and waking up at the same time also helps to keep hormone levels balanced.

3. Reduce your stress. Repeated exposure to stress on the body and mind does nothing but wreak havoc on overall health and wellness. This chronic stress can put us at risk for high cortisol, insulin resistance and obesity – all of which have been scientifically linked to lower GH levels.

4. Cleanse your body. Chemicals in our food, environment and homes can disrupt our endocrine system and have dramatic effects on our hormone levels. One of these effects could include suppression of GH synthesis and release from the pituitary gland. Eliminating or reducing these toxins through an intentional detoxification process such as a whole body cleanse. Increasing your intake of water, eating foods that are high in fiber, and addressing nutrient deficiencies through food are also ways of removing endocrine disrupting toxins that accumulate in your cells.

5. Exercise with intensity. Research shows that exercising in short, intense bursts instead of long, steady cardio sessions not only boosts GH production, but also has a positive impact on many other hormones. Combining these high intensity intervals with resistance or weight training is the most effective way to balance and optimize the function of your entire endocrine system.