GH Max is not a steroid and is actually hormone-free. According to the description on the Universal Nutrition website, the purpose of this product is to “help you boost your own natural levels of GH.”
This product also promises to help:
- Enhance protein synthesis
- Reduce protein breakdown
- Increase nitrogen retention
In other words, GH Max is designed to help you build muscle and speed up recovery. But is it in any good? Find out in our GH Max review…
About the Company
Universal Nutrition is a big name in the international supplement industry. Based in New Jersey in the USA, the company was formed in 1977.
Its products include test boosters, proteins, weight gainers, amino acids and much more.
The Universal website claims that the company is “dedicated to providing you with the highest quality nutritional products.”
It also says that having “manufacturing capabilities” gives UN the advantage of “unprecedented control over every aspect of production quality.”
GH Max Ingredients and How They Work
As soon as we start this GH Max review, we’re pleased to see the product doesn’t contain any proprietary blends.
Note: Proprietary blends are sub-formulas that display ingredients, but not doses. Experts don’t like proprietary blends because they hide the info you need to see how effective a product will be before buying.
It’s also clear GH Max contains a few ingredients linked to natural GH production.
See for yourself:
Vitamin C
Also known as Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin C has been linked to GH production; some research shows a distinct correlation between low Vitamin C and low GH secretion in obese people.
Another study suggests Vitamin C can help induce the release of more GH.
How does this translate to results?
Well, some research suggests a link between Vitamin C and reduced muscle damage and soreness. However, the results of this research are unreliable.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is an essential nutrient linked to an increase in GH secretion.
Decades of research also shows regular B6 supplementation can raise energy levels and brighten your mood. It also boosts testosterone, which is great because the male hormone is more important than GH for muscle gains (more on this later).
L-Arginine and L-Ornithine
L-Arginine
L-Arginine is an amino acid known for its ability to improve blood flow, which is why many pre-workouts use it to produce more satisfying muscle pumps in the weight room.
It’s also implicated increasing growth-hormone levels at rest, and decreasing them during exercise. In either case, the effects don’t last long and it’s unclear how this impacts on your ability to build muscle (if at all).
As hormone levels constantly fluctuate throughout the day, these fluctuations amount to very little.
L-Ornithine
Along with L-Citrulline and L-Arginine, L-Ornithine is one of three amino acids that play a role in the Urea cycle. In isolation, Ornithine appears to induce a slight reduction in fatigue.
Aand along with Arginine, it appears to boost grow hormone and aid the recovery process.
However, further research is needed to warrant its use in this supp.
See SupplementTester’s Highest Rated
– Testosterone Booster Supplements Here –
Beta-Sitosterol
Known to chemists as a ‘plant sterol ester’, Beta-Sitosterol is found in vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds.
Some online sources suggest this ingredient can stop the body converting testosterone into aromatase, estradiol, and 5-alpha reductase – thus making more T freely available in your system.
However, there’s little proof Beta-Sitosterol boosts GH levels.
So while it could be a promising ingredient for boosting muscle mass, the plant sterol is actually more of a test booster than a GH enhancer. Despite this, it’s worth bearing in mind Beta-Sitosterol has also been linked to erectile dysfunction and loss of interest in sex.
Carnitine
Carnitine is a compound said to reduce fatigue and muscle damage, while also increasing strength in those who take it.
And during one study on its effects on growth hormone, subjects were given a daily 2g dose of L-Carnitine over three weeks. The preliminary research suggests Carnitine was able to boost growth-hormone levels during exercise.
However, we’d need to see this confirmed by further research before we could recommend this ingredient as a GH booster.
Gamma Oryzanol
Also known as y-Oryzanol, Gamma Oryzanol is a blend of compounds found in rice bran oil. Despite claims to the contrary, the one study on the subject showed “no significant alterations in growth hormone.”
Other research also shows no effects on power output, testosterone, or estrogen. It’s disappointing to find this useless ingredient in a product from a respected brand.
Side Effects
Most of the ingredients in GH Max are safe to take. However, Beta-Sitosterol has been linked to erectile dysfunction and reduced sex drive.
The Problem with Growth Hormone Boosters
We don’t really see the point of GH Max or others like it. This is because growth hormone does not increase muscle mass or strength.
In fact, we go as far as saying that, in isolation, it doesn’t really have any positive benefits for athletes or lifters. This is true even when human growth hormone is injected directly into your body.
Remember – GH Max is not hGH, but a supplement that is supposed to help your body produce more of it.
By contrast, increased testosterone is directly linked with increased muscle mass and strength. And while natural T-boosters are not as potent as testosterone injections, they are safer AND proven to help build muscle, improve mood, reduce body fat and boost self-esteem.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Vitamin B6 makes more GH available in your system
- Vitamin C may reduce muscle soreness and muscle damage
- Blend of Arginine and Ornithine may boost GH levels
Cons:
- Beta-Sitosterol linked to loss of libido and erectile dysfunction
- Not enough research to show Carnitine boosts GH
- Gamma Oryzanol has ZERO effect on GH
- Growth hormone less important than testosterone for building muscle
SupplementTester’s Highest Rated
– Testosterone Booster Supplements Here –
GH Max Review Conclusion
GH Max contains one or two ingredients proven to help you build and maintain muscle – which of course is the idea.
However, Vitamin B6 is more of testosterone booster than a GH enhancer, while L-Arginine would be more effective in a pre-workout.
Other ingredients may or not boost growth hormone – the research on the matter is inconclusive. But the issue is that it’s surely not increased growth hormone you want, but more muscle and better performance in the gym.
Assuming this is the case, even if you were to inject yourself with hGH, this wouldn’t be enough to get the results you want, unless you also take anabolic steroids. A testosterone booster would be much more useful for this purpose.
See SupplementTester’s Highest Rated
– Testosterone Booster Supplements Here –