DEAR DR. BLONZ: Is it possible to grow more muscle using an
amino acid supplement that is supposed to increase growth
hormone? I am in my teens and this is the latest going around
the locker room.   DEAR B.F.: This idea has been pushed
periodically for many years, but the rumor's prevalence is due
to the product promoters' efforts -- not evidence. These
products contain amino acids, and that is simply what you get
when you eat protein. When testing this theory, researchers
usually provide certain amino acids to individuals who have
undergone an overnight (or longer) fast. The provision of the
nutrients after a fast can cause a short-term spike of growth
hormone to be released by the pineal gland. It's doubtful this
would have any clinical significance, but it sure does provide
fodder for advertising claims. And the "placebo" they test it
against is not regular food; it's usually a pill or capsule that
contains no nutrients. The bottom line is that you have to earn
your muscles, not expect them to come out of