GHRP2- An oral Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide to battle sarcopenia (muscle wastage)

Ghrelin is a relatively well-known hormone that can significantly influence the release of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland, unfortunately Ghrelin has also been dubbed ‘the hunger hormone’ since its use can trigger hunger pangs.

However, there is now an analogue of Ghrelin called GHRP2 (growth hormone releasing peptide 2) that still stimulates the production of GH, but without any significant side-effects of causing the desire to eat.

The growth hormone releasing peptides (including sermorelin) have been advocated by research physicians such as Richard Walker, M.D., Ph.D., since they offer a number of advantages over injecting GH itself, these advantages are:

•          GHRPs lack a negative feedback loop, which means that it is difficult to down-regulate one’s natural GH production by using it. This represents a significant safety factor.
•          GHRPs can be stored at room temperature and do not require refrigeration.
•          GHRP2 can be used orally, (unlike GH itself which is only effective via subcutaneous injection).
•          Injecting GH creates a bolus large square wave release of GH into the bloodstream, this is not bioidentical. However using GHRPs creates amplification of the natural (and throughout the day) production of GH, thereby enhancing rather than ‘forcing’ GH into the bloodstream.

Clinically studied

GHRP2 has been studied* in 94 volunteers aged between 40 and 70 years. Over a period of 90-days the subjects consumed 10 ml of GHRP2 by mouth in the morning. Their average IGF-1 levels (a measure of GH in the blood) was 103.54ng/ml and rose to an average of 120.47ng/ml by the end of the period.

Other measures taken before-and-after included total body fat which decreased, on average, by 9.14% with visceral fat levels decreasing, on average, by 14.27% (with no significant changes in the placebo group). At the same time, muscle mass (as lean body mass) increased on average by 5.37% in the GHRP2 group; plus, forced lung capacity was increased on average by 16.61% (and again there no significant changes in the placebo group). Remember these effects were seen when GHRP2 was taken by mouth- not by injection.

At the same time, improvements were also noted to the patients waist and hips and ratios, total body composition (fat, water, bone and muscle mass), and forced lung capacity.

All these positive changes to these aging biomarkers corroborate findings from the studies that utilized GH injections. Therefore it is proof that GHRPs offer a real world alternative to GH injections.

Synergy

Dr. Walker has gone on record to state that Sermorelin taken at bedtime (which enhances the release of GH into the bloodstream) and GHRP2 taken first thing AM (which increases production of GH), when combined can offer a 5-fold efficacy. Therefore these two agents (used sublingually and orally respectively) can be considered to be extremely synergistic.

Side effects

Few side effects have been noted in the studies, some experience soft stools and upset stomachs. There have also been increases in the total blood platelet count, but values have remained within the normal clinical range.

The toxicity and LD50 ratios for GHRP2 also look good and therefore when used within its normal clinical dose ranges should not present any problems.

Naturally it would be prudent to monitor blood GH levels (actually measured via IGF-1), to ensure that they stay within the normal ‘youthful’ level.

Dosage: Take two tablets daily; either two together or one in the morning and one in the evening or as directed by your physician. Let tablets dissolve under the tongue before swallowing.