Mucuna Pruriens Growth Hormone
Written by Ben Bunting: BA, PGCert. (Sport & Exercise Nutrition) // British Army Physical Training Instructor // S&C Coach.
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If you’re looking for a natural testosterone booster that also supports libido, growth hormone production, and energy levels, then you may want to try mucuna pruriens.
This versatile bean has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to treat infertility, boost sperm count, and increase arousal.
Its high concentration of L-DOPA (a precursor to dopamine) is also known for its anti-Parkinson’s Disease benefits. However, it’s important to remember that long-term L-DOPA supplementation can negatively affect your health.
What Is Growth Hormone?
Human growth hormone (hGH) is a natural hormone your pituitary gland makes and releases. It triggers growth in nearly every tissue and organ in your body, especially in children. It also affects how your body turns the food you eat into energy, called metabolism.
Your pituitary gland is a small, pea-sized endocrine gland that sits at the base of your brain below your hypothalamus. It's connected to your hypothalamus through a stalk of blood vessels and nerves.
GH Secretion, Levels and Pattern
Basal hGH levels are highest in childhood and decline throughout adult life. There are peaks of hGH production throughout the day in healthy people.
The amplitude and frequency of peaks change as your child grows, peaking during the pubertal growth spurt in early adolescence.
During your growth spurt, hGH stimulates cells in your cartilage and bones to grow, increasing their size. Once the growth plates in your bones have fused, hGH stops stimulating growth.
However, your body still needs hGH to maintain normal body structure and metabolism and help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels in a healthy range.
Hormones Controlled by Your Pituitary Gland
The hormones your pituitary gland makes are controlled by a signal your hypothalamus receives from the stalk of blood vessels and nerves that connects to your pituitary gland.
This signal tells your pituitary gland to release hGH. Your hypothalamus also sends signals to your pituitary gland to inhibit hGH. These signals include a growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin.
Is Testosterone a Growth Hormone?
The hormone testosterone is responsible for developing the primary and secondary male characteristics of muscle mass, increased libido, body hair and a deep voice. It is also known to increase bone density, strength, and stamina.
As a young man, testosterone levels surge during puberty, accelerating growth and helping you to reach your potential as a man.
However, with age, the level of testosterone in the body decreases, which can lead to physical changes like decreased muscle mass and a lower libido.
Testosterone is also associated with increased levels of body fat, decreased muscle bulk and strength, swollen or tender breasts (gynecomastia), reduced sexual desire, and infertility. It may also contribute to a low energy level and emotional lability.
HGH vs. Testosterone
Human growth hormone (HGH) is produced by the pituitary gland, and it plays an essential role in cellular growth, metabolism, and bone development.
It is also an important anabolic and anti-catabolic hormone, which means it promotes the production of new cells while suppressing the destruction of old ones.
It is also a powerful neurosteroid, which can help improve cognitive function and enhance mental clarity. It can be injected into the veins or ingested, orally.
Research has shown that growth hormone stimulates the breakdown of triglycerides and cholesterol into free fatty acids, which can be used for energy by cells.
It also boosts the rate of protein synthesis, which helps your muscles to grow and become stronger.
Mucuna Pruriens and Testosterone
Testosterone is one of the key male hormones, and it’s responsible for a wide range of physical and mental functions. It helps boost your energy and stamina, as well as your sex drive and overall health.
However, many men start to experience declines in their testosterone levels as they age. This can be due to a number of reasons, including a lack of exercise and poor diet habits.
Taking a natural testosterone booster can help boost your body’s naturally-produced testosterone levels and restore a healthy masculine glow to your skin, muscle, and bones.
The best testosterone-boosting supplements contain a mix of vitamins and botanical extracts that promote optimal testosterone production in your body. Some of the most effective testosterone-boosting ingredients include D-aspartic acid, luteolin, and vitamin D.
D-aspartic acid, for example, helps your brain release luteinizing hormones that stimulate the Leydig cells in your testes. These hormones tell your body to produce more free testosterone, which can lead to weight loss, improved athletic performance, and enhanced libido.
Another ingredient in this supplement is fenugreek, which helps your body convert fat into energy. Its seeds also contain furostanolic saponins, which can boost testosterone production.
Combined with D-aspartic acid and luteolin, fenugreek is one of the most powerful testosterone-boosting ingredients on the market.
It also reduces stress and increases energy, making it the ideal supplement for people who are looking to improve their sexual function and overall health.
Mucuna pruriens, on the other hand, is known to increase dopamine levels in your brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that can stimulate your muscles and brain, which can boost your athletic performance and improve your mood.
As such, mucuna pruriens can be helpful for boosting your testosterone and dopamine levels, as well as for treating Parkinson’s disease, which is caused by a deficiency of dopamine. Mucuna pruriens contains L-DOPA, which is a compound that can be easily converted into dopamine in the brain.
Mucuna pruriens can also be a useful addition to a testosterone-boosting formula because it can reduce symptoms associated with low dopamine levels, including tremors and stiffness.
It can also encourage increased GH and testosterone production, which may benefit athletic performance.
L-Dopa Booster
Mucuna pruriens, a tropical legume commonly known as the velvet bean or cowhage, is an herb that contains high levels of L-dopa. This is a natural precursor to dopamine, which helps the brain control movement and increase motivation. In addition, it can help regulate moods, improve memory and reduce stress.
Mucuna is also known to help boost dopamine levels in those with Parkinson’s disease. The herb increases dopamine production in the brain, which can make it more effective than certain medications used to treat Parkinson’s disease.
Researchers found that a mucuna extract increased dopamine levels by up to two-thirds. This is a significant improvement over levodopa, which is often prescribed for Parkinson’s patients.
Another benefit of mucuna pruriens is its ability to reduce free radicals, which can cause brain damage and memory loss. These free radicals attack your cells, causing oxidative stress and inflammation, which can lead to memory and cognition problems.
Studies have shown that mucuna pruriens can significantly reduce free radical activity in the brain and improve memory. It can also improve focus and reaction time.
However, it is important to note that mucuna pruriens may interact with many medications. If you’re taking antidepressants or anti-Parkinson’s medications (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors or MAOIs), you should not use mucuna pruriens supplements.
Likewise, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid using mucuna pruriens supplements as it may affect their baby.
The best way to find out if mucuna pruriens is right for you is to speak with your doctor. He or she can help you decide whether mucuna pruriens is a good choice for you and guide you on the best dosage for your needs.
Mucuna pruriens is also effective for regulating serotonin, which can lower feelings of depression and anxiety. It can also boost libido and help increase sexual desire.
It also has anti-inflammatory effects, which can help reduce the pain of arthritis and other joint conditions. Its antioxidant properties can also help protect your brain against oxidative stress. It may also reduce blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, as it’s a type of inositol.
Anti-Oxidant Booster
If you are looking to optimize your health and wellness, mucuna pruriens is an excellent addition to your supplements.
The herb contains anti-oxidants that scavenge free radicals in the body and protect the cells from oxidative damage. This can prevent aging and disease in the body, including cancer and heart disease.
Another reason that mucuna pruriens is popular with men and women is because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
The extract has been shown to decrease the release of inflammatory markers, mainly nitric oxide (NO), in LPS-stimulated macrophages. It also increases the activity of the antioxidant receptor-coupled nucleotide-binding domain-containing protein 2 (Nrf2).
Moreover, the antioxidant properties of Mucuna pruriens have been linked to its ability to boost the immune system. It has been shown to have anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties as well, which makes it a great choice for anyone looking to boost their overall health.
For example, mucuna pruriens can reduce the levels of eosinophils and IL-6 in the body. Moreover, it can boost the production of interferon-gamma.
Additionally, the anti-inflammatory properties of mucuna pruriens have been linked with its ability to increase insulin sensitivity and reduce blood pressure.
The combination of these two effects can make it a great supplement for those with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Finally, mucuna pruriens has also been seen to increase serotonin levels in the brain. This can improve your mood and increase libido. The plant has also been seen to improve cognitive performance in laboratory experiments.
Stress Relief
Stress is a normal part of life, but prolonged stress can lead to a variety of problems.
Getting regular exercise can help you manage stress and keep it from becoming a serious issue. It may also help improve symptoms of common mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
Taking L-dopa (mucuna pruriens) can help alleviate stress and promote a sense of calm. It can boost your mood, increase alertness and motivation and reduce fatigue. It can also enhance your cognitive abilities, as well as improve concentration and memory.
Dopamine is one of the most important neurotransmitters in the brain, and it's essential for coordinating proper body movements, learning, increasing your motivation and regulating your moods.
When your dopamine levels are low, you'll find it hard to focus and feel energized. Taking L-dopa regularly can increase your dopamine levels, giving you a more positive outlook and increased motivation to get things done.
The seeds of mucuna pruriens have been shown to naturally contain levodopa, a precursor to dopamine. This supplement can be taken in powder or capsule form and has many benefits, including a strong anti-stress effect.
It's also known for its ability to boost libido and increase sexual drive in both men and women. In some cases, it can even improve fertility in men with infertility issues.
In addition to increasing libido, mucuna pruriens can also improve sperm quality and enhance male fertility. It's often used in conjunction with other sperm-boosting supplements.
Conclusion
This tropical legume (also known as velvet bean) has been used in herbal medicine and Ayurveda for thousands of years to treat nervous disorders, Parkinson’s disease, and male infertility.
It also increases LH, FSH, HGH, and testosterone levels, all of which work together to optimize physical and sexual health for a more youthful vigor.
Boosts dopamine to improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression
Mucuna pruriens has been shown to boost dopamine levels in the brain, which may help treat mental illness like depression.
Research suggests that low dopamine in the emotional (mesolimbic) centers of the brain may lead to a loss of pleasure and motivation, which are often associated with depression.
In mice, mucuna pruriens reduced the severity of symptoms of depression and improved their cognitive performance.
Boosts sperm quality for infertile men
Mucuna pruriens improves sperm count, motility, and concentration in infertile men. This is thought to be a result of the plant’s dopamine-boosting properties, which may also help balance other sex and stress hormones linked to infertility.
Enhances exercise and strength gains by supplying a natural source of L-DOPA
Mucuna pruriens is rich in the amino acid L-DOPA, which has been shown to enhance exercise and strength performance for athletes and bodybuilders alike.
It’s a popular and safe strategy to stack L-DOPA with other natural T-boosters, such as D-aspartic acid, to maximize anabolic muscle and strength growth.
Typically, the best way to get a natural supply of L-DOPA is by taking a supplement containing a Mucuna pruriens extract standardized to 15% L-DOPA.
Military Muscle supplies this standardized extract, alongside Ashwagandha and D-aspartic acid, as part of our all-in-one natural testosterone booster stack for enhanced bodybuilding performance.
