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HGH, short for human growth hormone, plays a crucial role in maintaining optimal health.
HGH is produced inside the brain’s pituitary gland. Though noted for its capacity to foster physical development during childhood, the chemical also executes a critical part in supporting the healing process in adults. Additionally, your growth hormone can induce weight loss in a safe and natural way and burn belly fat by stimulating lipolysis (breakdown of fats in our bodies).
Diminished levels of HGH could have serious health consequences, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity. This leaves you increasingly vulnerable to these potentially serious, even life-threatening illnesses.
Correlation between HGH and sleep
During a phase of the sleep cycle known as deep sleep, the pituitary releases HGH into your bloodstream. But because many individuals struggle to obtain adequate rest, they often do not spend the time in the deep sleep cycle necessary to receive adequate HGH quantities.
5 Tips to Boost GH
Fortunately, you may still be able to naturally boost bodily concentrations of HGH in a variety of ways. Below are five ways you can boost your HGH levels by getting better quality sleep.
1. Get regular exercise
Physical activity is crucial to the process for certain notable reasons.
First, exercise produces small bursts of HGH release throughout the day. Studies have shown this is particularly the case in those participating in resistance and aerobic exercises.
These investigations also concluded that, when performed at high intensity, significant levels of HGH were secreted and released into the bloodstream.
Additionally, rigorous physical activity tires your muscles and bones. When fatigued, you stand a better chance of enjoying longer and more productive deep sleep cycles.
2. Stop eating before bed
Healthcare providers firmly urge you not to eat prior to retiring each evening — and there’s a good reason why!
The consumption of foods with increased levels of carbohydrates and protein right before bed is especially frowned upon because such actions significantly spike systemic insulin production. And increased amounts of insulin lower HGH levels.
Fortunately, insulin levels return to normal within several hours of food consumption. Therefore, you are implored to consume a large meal at least two to three hours before heading off to sleep.
Furthermore, an insulin boost right before bedtime can heighten your energy levels. Feeling energetic during typical sleeping hours could ultimately result in bouts of insomnia.
Additionally, avoid eating unhealthy food right before bedtime to avoid problems like heartburn and indigestion, which could easily disturb your sleep cycles.
3. Limit your sugar intake
Nutritionists and medical professionals maintain that limiting or even eliminating sugar from your diet could prove to be a solid HGH-elevating effort. Excessive sugar intake increases systemic concentrations of insulin.
Ultimately, diabetes could result. Researchers have found that the bloodstreams of non-diabetics contain anywhere from three to four times as much HGH as those afflicted with a serious metabolic condition.
Furthermore, sugar fosters quick energy bursts. And, as previously stated, nighttime energy often precipitates sleeplessness.
4. Try GABA supplements
GABA is an abbreviation for gamma-aminobutyric acid, which is an amino acid responsible for fostering optimal central nervous system function.
According to recent studies, scientists have discovered that the substance could both induce sleep and elevate HGH levels. One study chronicled the impact GABA supplementation had on test subjects.
A certain percentage of those examined were administered GABA and the others were given a placebo. On average, those in the GABA category enjoyed a 400% increase in HGH levels compared to those ingesting the placebo.
5. Quality is over quantity
Scientists stress that HGH-boosting sleep does not merely hinge on the number of hours you slumber. While duration is important, quality is even more crucial.
During sleep, HGH is not consistently released into your bloodstream. The pituitary gland releases the chemical in spurts.
Researchers have concluded that these events most likely occur around midnight and during the immediate pre-dawn hours. Therefore, staying asleep and ensuring said rest is sound and uninterrupted plays just as critical a role.
Final thoughts
Though doing so requires effort and commitment, making several notable lifestyle adjustments can have a significant influence over your body’s HGH production. Over the long haul, such commitment can improve your general health, help you maintain a healthy weight, and recover from injuries with greater speed and efficiency.
