It is easy to go online and find a list of foods that you can use to boost your body’s production of human growth hormones, but it is not as simple to locate a report about foods that you should avoid to protect this critical hormone level. Today, we have compiled a list for you of the 7 tops foods that reduce HGH levels that you should eliminate from your diet if you are concerned about growth hormone deficiency.

The 7 common foods that decrease growth hormone levels are:

1. Sugar
2. Caffeine
3. Spicy Foods
4. Bread
5. Alcohol
6. Prepackaged Meals
7. Fatty Acids

Item number one on the list is sugar, which should come as no surprise to anyone. That does not mean you should go out and replace sugar with artificial sweeteners – they are even worse for you. Consider changing to honey, coconut palm sugar, or stevia to sweeten beverages and your healthy, homemade baked goods.

These foods that reduce HGH can impact your physical and mental functions. Since HGH has benefits for your cells, muscles, bones, hair, eyes, skin, immunity, memory, libido, metabolism, and brain functions, it is important to give it all the help you can as you age. You want to slow down the natural decline instead of feeding into it with the wrong foods.

Why These Foods Lower HGH Levels

Why do these foods that decrease HGH levels have such a negative impact on hormone production? What is it about them that inhibits HGH secretion?

Before answering those questions, it may help you to understand the HGH secretion process. Unlike other hormones that stay in your bloodstream all day, HGH undergoes multiple rapid bursts every three to five hours. At night, the largest portion of human growth hormone secretion occurs during periods of slow-wave sleep. In fact, slightly more than half your body’s daily supply of HGH happens while you sleep. If you are not getting between seven and nine hours each night, you can expect a decrease in HGH production. Some of the foods that reduce HGH levels interfere with the sleep cycle and nighttime growth hormone secretion.

Here are why these foods lower HGH levels:

1. Sugar – consuming large amounts of sugar increases the levels of blood glucose which stimulates the secretion of insulin, which, in turn, inhibits the production of HGH.
2. Caffeine – this is easily understandable – caffeine consumption at night adversely impacts sleep which can reduce HGH secretion. You do not have to eliminate caffeine from your diet, just consume it early in the day – preferably before 4 pm.
3. Spicy Foods – although using spices is great for your health and metabolism, consuming very spicy foods at night (dinner) can rev up your metabolism and heart rate which can interfere with sleep. Heartburn can also inhibit sleep.
4. Bread – carbohydrates like bread, pasta, and rice are helpful when you are getting ready to exercise because they provide a rapid surge in blood sugar levels, but this is not welcome at night. Bad carbs lead to weight gain which also affects HGH levels.
5. Alcohol – although many people think that alcohol consumption can help them sleep better, it can actually do the opposite. More than one drink at night can lead to restless sleep which inhibits HGH production.
6. Prepackaged Meals – even some of the best frozen or ready to eat meals are high in salt, sugar, or unhealthy fats. Too many prepackaged meals are laden with chemicals that destroy nutrients, clog your arteries, and decrease HGH levels.
7. Fatty Acids – many vegetable cooking oils are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids that destroy your health and decrease essential hormone levels, including HGH. From fast food fare to many of the fats you cook with at home, you are doing your body an injustice with every bite. Stick to extra virgin coconut and olive oils, avocados, and nuts for your healthy fats.

How to Use Food to Improve HGH

Now that you know to avoid the foods that kill HGH, it is easy to use dietary habits to improve your body’s production of HGH. If you are going to be having a few drinks in the evening, pair it with a meal of grassfed beef and plenty of vegetables. Skip the dinner rolls and opt for a sweet potato.

You can learn more about foods that will help increase human growth hormone levels in our report “11 Best Foods That Raise HGH Levels.”

Avoid nighttime consumption of caffeine, carbohydrates, and sugar. If you do get hungry late at night, choose a small amount of lean protein. By avoiding foods that reduce HGH levels and increasing the intake of those that help to boost growth hormone production, you may be able to avoid the need for HGH therapy.

If you are concerned about growth hormone deficiency, please contact Kingsberg HRT Clinic to speak with one of our clinical advisors. Many options exist for increasing HGH levels. We offer free consultations and affordable treatments for women and men throughout the US.