Can Arginine & Ornithine Hurt Your Growth?

Arginine and ornithine are two amino acids which are sometimes taken to help with body-building. It is thought that supplementation with these two amino acids can increase lean muscle mass, possibly because of their affects on growth hormone. While these amino acids can cause changes in growth hormone levels, there is no evidence that this alteration can have negative effects on growth.

Arginine and Ornitihine and Growth Hormone

• Arginine and Ornithine are able to stimulate the release of growth hormone.

Effects of Growth Hormone

• Growth hormone works to stimulate cell reproduction, tissue growth and growth in children.

Routes of Administration

• Arginine and ornithine are both able to be administered via an IV or orally. IV amino acids are more potent at stimulating growth hormone release.

Variability of Effects

• The ability of arginine and ornithine to cause release of growth hormone vary based on age, gender, weight, genetics and other factors.

Effects of Exercise

• Exercise can also cause the release of growth hormone, and while arginine and ornithine supplements do not cause greater release, they do not hamper it either.