There are more than 20 amino acids in the human body, each of which can play a role in building protein and help build muscle. L-arginine is an amino acid that is made in the body and is found in protein-rich foods. One of the most important benefits attributed to L-arginine is the stimulation of growth hormone in the body. This property may be effective in increasing the height of children who have not yet closed the bone plates in their bodies. Therefore, the question arises whether there is a connection between L-arginine consumption and early puberty in children?
L-arginine and growth hormone
Studies have shown that some amino acids, the most important of which is L-arginine, can be effective in stimulating growth hormone. Human growth hormone is an important hormone in the body that is produced by the pituitary gland. This hormone plays an important role in growth, ossification of the body, cell repair and metabolism. Growth hormone also increases muscle growth, strength and sports performance and accelerates recovery from diseases and physical injuries. Low levels of HGH (growth hormone) may have a negative effect on quality of life and increase the risk of certain diseases.
It is interesting to know that lifestyle and diet significantly affect growth hormone levels. In the meantime, one of the most important substances that stimulate the release of growth hormone in the body is none other than the amino acid L-arginine.
Does l-arginine increase height?
Before we say whether there is a connection between L-arginine consumption and premature puberty; Let us explain more about L-arginine and growth hormone. When taken alone, arginine may increase HGH. Most people use L-arginine supplements along with exercise, but the results of several studies have shown that this supplement alone can also be effective.
In a study, the effects of consuming 100 or 250 mg of arginine per kilogram of body weight and daily consumption of 6 to 10 or 15 to 20 grams of L-arginine were investigated. The result was that people who received higher doses of L-arginine supplementation experienced about a 60% increase in HGH levels during sleep, but lower doses did not have much of an effect.
Since L-arginine has the ability to increase the secretion of growth hormone, it has an effect on cartilage tissue and will accelerate height growth by increasing the growth of bones. Of course, height growth occurs if the bone growth plates in children are not yet closed.
L-arginine and premature puberty?
We know that the amino acid L-arginine has the ability to stimulate and increase the secretion and production of growth hormone. Based on this, it may be thought that the consumption of this amino acid in the form of a supplement will cause premature puberty in children. But we must say that so far it has not been stated in any of the scientific sources that taking L-arginine tablets or syrup will advance the stages of puberty in girls or boys. In fact, premature puberty has other reasons that we will also address.
The most important reasons for premature puberty
When we say that a child has experienced precocious puberty, his body will soon resemble the body of an adult. When puberty occurs before the age of 8 in girls and before the age of 9 in boys, puberty is considered precocious. Puberty includes the rapid growth of bones and muscles, changes in body shape and size, and the ability to reproduce. It is often very difficult to find the cause of precocious puberty, but some factors can influence early puberty:
Precocious puberty is more likely in girls than in boys.
Precocious puberty is more common in African Americans than any other race.
Obese children are more at risk of precocious puberty.
Creams, ointments, or other substances that contain estrogen or testosterone increase the likelihood of premature puberty.
Precocious puberty may occur as a result of McKeon-Albright syndrome, or congenital adrenal hyperplasia, in which male hormones are abnormally elevated.
In rare cases, precocious puberty may occur as a result of hypothyroidism.
Radiation therapy to destroy tumors may also cause premature puberty.
Estrogen hormone in girls and testosterone hormone in boys have an effect on the occurrence of premature puberty, but growth hormone causes the coordinated growth of the body and will not cause premature puberty. Therefore, there is no connection between L-arginine and early puberty.
How to prevent premature puberty?
Children who experience precocious puberty grow quickly at first and may be taller than their peers. But their bone growth usually stops earlier than usual. This problem causes these children to be shorter than their peers in adulthood. On the other hand, premature puberty causes emotional and social problems and may lower self-esteem.
Some factors of precocious puberty such as gender and race cannot be prevented, but some strategies will reduce the risk of precocious puberty:
Keeping the child away from external sources of estrogen and testosterone (not using prescription drugs for adults that contain hormones)
Encourage children to maintain a healthy weight
Watching too much TV, using cyberspace too much and hanging out with adults also has an effect on premature puberty.
What are the complications of premature puberty in girls and boys?
Symptoms and complications of precocious puberty in girls and boys include the following:
Complications of precocious puberty in girls
Precocious puberty occurs in girls before the age of 7. Complications of premature puberty in girls include:
- Breast growth
- Growth spurt
- The onset of menstruation before the age of 10
- Occurrence of acne
- Hair growth in the armpit or genital area
- The presence of body odor
It is possible for girls to have a lack of self-confidence in relation to the growth of their breasts or their height compared to other children of the same age. It is also possible that the child has behaviors related to hormonal changes such as:
- bad mood
- quick temper
Complications of precocious puberty in boys
Precocious puberty occurs in boys before the age of 9.
Complications of premature puberty in boys include:
- Enlargement of the testicles or penis
- Hair growth in the armpits, genitals, or face
- Growth spurt
- The presence of body odor
- The sound is muffled
- Occurrence of acne
- Erection
- Sperm production
It is possible for boys to experience lack of self-confidence or confusion related to the enlargement of the testicles or other changes. The following behavioral changes may also occur due to hormonal changes:
- bad temper
- aggression
- quick temper
- Age-disproportionate sex drive
Other complications of precocious puberty
It is possible that the complications of premature puberty include the following:
short. As a result of early puberty, the child may initially grow faster than his peers. But due to the faster growth of bones than normal, height growth usually stops earlier than usual. In this case, it is possible that the height of the child in adulthood is shorter than the average. Early treatment of precocious puberty, especially when it occurs at a very young age, can make a person taller (compared to when it is not treated).
Social and emotional problems. Girls and boys who experience early puberty may experience severe lack of self-confidence in connection with the changes that occur in their bodies. In this case, the possibility of depression or drug use may increase.
Conclusion
No scientific source states that L-arginine and early puberty are related to each other. In fact, L-arginine amino acid increases the secretion of growth hormone, not estrogen and testosterone hormones. Because estrogen and testosterone are female and male hormones, respectively, and increasing their levels in the body will cause premature puberty. If you intend to use L-arginine to increase the height of your children, consult your doctor first, but know that growth hormone does not cause premature puberty.
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