7
3.91
10
Alpha GPC is regarded by users as one of the best brain supplements available and is a natural source of choline.
It is a precursor for the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine, which is vital in memory formation and a number of other cognitive processes.
You will find Alpha GPC in food such as milk and soy lecithin and it also occurs naturally in the brain to a small degree.
More recently, studies published in 2008 and 2012 have found that Alpha GPC increases human growth hormone secretion in the brain.
Due to the extensive benefits that can accrue from higher growth hormone levels, this link has generated a lot of interest in the supplement community.
How does Alpha GPC effect Growth Hormone levels and what are some of the results of this mechanism of action?
Memory
Attention
Neuro- protective- Choline source to support memory function
- Increases attention, focus & energy
- Neuroprotective for brain cell health
Top Alpha GPC Products* ❯How Alpha GPC Works
Related Topics
- Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine
- What is Choline?
- Alpha GPC Choline Content
- Health Benefits
- Dosages to Take
- User Reviews
- Side Effects
- Uses for Memory
- Effects on the Brain
- Increasing Growth Hormone
- Using Alpha GPC Powder
- Where to Buy Online
- Best Supplement Sources
- Comparison to CDP Choline
- Choline Alfoscerate
- Stacking with Piracetam
Alpha GPC is a water soluble phosphorylated version of Choline that has significant activity in the brain.
When you consume it, it is able to quickly cross over the blood-brain barrier and target certain pathways in the brain.
After the Phosphate portion of the supplement is metabolized and stripped of its fatty acids, the choline is left. It is found in a glycerin molecule bound to another form of Choline which can then be used to synthesize Acetylcholine in the brain when needed.
One of the first things it does is to increase the availability of stored Acetylcholine within your neurons. Brain cells use Acetylcholine to send chemical signals to each other in the basic processes that underwrite memory, learning, attention, and reasoning.
While levels of this neurotransmitter naturally decline as we age, using supplements like Alpha GPC may ensure that there is enough of this brain chemical available to meet the demands of your cognitive activity.
Alpha GPC also is broken down into components that can repair and maintain brain cell membranes. These membranes (cell walls) are actually intricate systems in and of themselves that are responsible for creating the proper environment for your neurons to function.
Alpha GPC boosts the stability and fluidity of these membranes so they do a better job supporting the activities required to keep your intellect sharp.
What is Growth Hormone?
A study published by the International Society of Sports Nutrition was the first to point out that taking Alpha GPC resulted in an increase in growth hormone activity.
This was followed up with a 2012 study in the venerable journal Nutrition that found Alpha GPC increases secretion of HGH as well as increases fat oxidation.
What exactly is Growth Hormone and what is its role in the body? Growth hormone, or HGH (human growth hormone) is also known as somatotropin and somatropin. This is a peptide hormone that stimulates growth, cell reproduction and regeneration in the human body.
HGH has a positive effect on fat burning and muscle building, helping to naturally increase the body’s metabolism. It is a type of mitogen that is specific only to certain kinds of cells.
Looking at its actual chemical structure, we find that it has 191 amino acids and is a single-chain polypeptide that is synthesized, stored, and secreted by somatotropic cells within the pituitary gland.
HGH is used as a prescription medication, especially for children who have growth disorders and even adult growth hormone deficiency. HGH is generally only legally available from pharmacies with a prescription from a medical doctor.
However, it has also become well known among several types of athletic communities especially weight lifters and for bodybuilding. These athletes see the effects that increasing the amounts of this powerful substance can have on their ability to quickly increase lean muscle mass and strength.
HGH also is considered one of the best anti-aging compounds, known to promote longevity of life as well as improve whole body health. HGH levels start to decline between the ages of 20 – 30 and continue to decline for the rest of your life.
Intense athletic activity and weight lifting can increase HGH secretions, but the effects begin to taper off after the age of 30 as well.
Many individuals interested in life extension have looked at Alpha GPC as a cheap HGH supplement.
Alpha GPC & Growth Hormone
Alpha GPC is a Human Growth Hormone secretagogue which means it causes more of this hormone to be secreted in your brain.
It is believed to potentiate the effects of Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) which is basically a hormone that tells your anterior pituitary gland to produce and release more HGH.
Taking Alpha GPC has been observed to produce a consistent increase in HGH levels only 60 minutes after administering a dosage. One study claims that this is a result of Acetylcholine-stimulated catecholamine activity in the brain.
This effect may be compounded when using Alpha GPC as a pre-workout supplement; following an intense training session with Alpha GPC, levels of HGH can rise to 200% of their normal rate.
Probably the best known study of this effect took seven well-trained men and gave them 600 mg of Alpha GPC 90 minutes before they engaged in resistance training. The results indicated that the supplement increases not only peak bench press force, but also significant post-exercise serum HGH levels.
Another study found that the increase in Growth Hormone was coupled with heightened biomarkers of fat oxidation, meaning that it caused more fat to be burned. This makes Alpha GPC a very interesting supplement for weight lifters and bodybuilders as well as anyone who wants to lose weight and trim fat.
While no studies have specifically been conducted on Alpha GPC and HGH from an anti-aging perspective, there is a lot of research showing that higher levels of this hormone can slow down or even reverse the aging process.
Research on Alpha GPC is very promising, however more large-scale human trials are still needed to fully determine all of the effects it may have in conjunction with HGH. At this time, Alpha GPC is available as a health supplement only, and the FDA has not approved Alpha GPC as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.
Alpha GPC Dosage
The following dosage recommendations are general guidelines only, and your personal dosage may be different. Proper dosage is dependent on many different factors, and it is recommended that you speak with your doctor before beginning any new supplements to help determine the best dosage for your needs.
Alpha GPC is most commonly used as a nootropic for cognitive enhancement and memory boosting purposes. In these applications, it is common to take between 400 mg to 1000 mg of Alpha GPC powder per day.
The two studies published so far on the link with HGH have used higher dosages – one saw positive results with 600 mg in a single dose while the other administered 1000 mg.
You may have to experiment to determine your ideal dose, but new users are advised to start with a smaller amount before increasing.
In order to maintain a constant supply of this compound in your brain cells, you may decide to split up your daily dose into two or even three equal administrations.
Alpha GPC Side Effects
This supplement has been rated by the Natural Medicines database as Possibly Safe and it is generally well-tolerated, especially in healthy adults.
However, in higher doses there are a few mild side effects which may occur. These include fatigue, nervousness, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, and GI issues. In other instances it is also possible to experience some dizziness and lowered blood pressure as well.
Before taking Alpha GPC to increase Human Growth Hormone levels, it would be best to speak to a doctor. Your physician can explain any possible risks as well as side effects that may be associated with higher HGH levels based on your personal situation and history.
- Kostenko EV, Petrova LV, Artemova IIu, Vdovichenko TV, Ganzhula PA, Ismailov AM, Lisenker LN, Petrov SV, Otcheskaia OV, Rotor LD, Khozova AA, Bo?ko AN. [The use of cerepro (choline alfoscerate) in the treatment of outpatients with chronic progressive cerebrovascular disease]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2012
- Amenta F, Carotenuto A, Fasanaro AM, Rea R, Traini E. The ASCOMALVA (Association between the Cholinesterase Inhibitor Donepezil and the Cholinergic Precursor Choline Alphoscerate in Alzheimer's Disease) Trial: interim results after two years of treatment. J Alzheimers Dis. 2014
- Grasso S, Bramanti V, Tomassoni D, Bronzi D, Malfa G, Traini E, Napoli M, Renis M, Amenta F, Avola R. Effect of lipoic acid and ?-glyceryl-phosphoryl-choline on astroglial cell proliferation and differentiation in primary culture. J Neurosci Res. 2014
- Govoni S, Battaini F, Lucchi L, Pascale A, Trabucchi M. PKC translocation in rat brain cortex is promoted in vivo and in vitro by alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, a cognition-enhancing drug. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1993
- BAER E, KATES M. L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine. J Am Chem Soc. 1948
- De Jesus Moreno Moreno M. Cognitive improvement in mild to moderate Alzheimer's dementia after treatment with the acetylcholine precursor choline alfoscerate: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Clin Ther. 2003
- Tayebati SK, Tomassoni D, Nwankwo IE, Di Stefano A, Sozio P, Cerasa LS, Amenta F. Modulation of monoaminergic transporters by choline-containing phospholipids in rat brain. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2013
- Amenta F, Franch F, Ricci A, Vega JA. Cholinergic neurotransmission in the hippocampus of aged rats: influence of L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine treatment. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1993
Article last updated on: March 14th, 2018 by Nootriment
7 Comments
I thought that taking an oral dose would not work to increase grow hormone and that the route must be administered subcutaneously in order to produce elevated HGh levels. Also Doctors do not subscribe this unless certain qualifiable parameters are met through extensive tests. I would love to get a straight answer about this. Thanks!
Hi Anne,
Great question! One study showed that when Alpha GPC 600 mg is ingested orally 90 minutes before exercise, it lead to a 44-fold increase in HGH levels compared to only a 2.6 increase with the same exercise and a placebo. This suggests that subcutaneous administration is not necessary and the benefits for HGH can be achieved by taking Alpha GPC orally. Here is the abstract of the study in case you would like to read it: JISSN
What about taking Alpha GPC some time within the last few hours before bedtime ?
Isn’t there a natural HGH peak around 2 to 3 hours after getting to sleep (providing background insulin levels are not too high).
So what can be said about its use in this manner?
Hey Nigel,
That’s true that the body naturally releases HGH while sleeping, though no studies have been conducted to determine how Alpha GPC would affect this without exercising. The nocturnal Growth Hormone peak is tied to exercise though so if you exercise more your levels will spike higher than if you were sedentary all day. You could try taking Alpha GPC a couple hours before bed, but some individuals find that it makes it difficult to fall asleep since this nootropic has the effect of increasing alertness levels.
Nothing to really write home about. I say it will benefit those in their 40’s and over after workout but if you look at the graph those that took a GPC had a little high response in the first 15 mins then those who didn’t take a GPC. Now the Placebo’s wasn’t mentioned on what they were given is sugar pill if so that would raise insulin and inhibit HGH later on to make the agGPC higher. The mechanics of a GPC is that it stops satmostain the enzyme that shuts down HGH so it allows more of what you have to work more efficiently not making more in your body.
HGH supplement works well on people who have HGH deficiency because their pituitary gland produces insufficient amount of human growth hormone.
Is alpha-GPC safe to take with SSRI’s ? Or other mood elevators like Wellbutrin? Curious?