Dietary factor s play an important role in human health. Specifically, nutritional interventions may have an impact on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis resulting in positive health outcomes. A retrospective health status survey of 386 respondents was conducted to investigate the potential of a dietary supplement, Nutrifii TM Renew, for improving various health outcomes in comparison to a multivitamin/mineral control group. Among those who ingested Renew, 95% reported experiencing at least some improvement in one or more health categor ies . Compared to the multivitamin/mineral group, the Renew group reported earlier and/or greater improvements in several health status categories including sleep, reproductive health, memory, energy/stamina, skin and hair quality, flexibility, exercise recovery and feeling rested in the morning. A clear majority (84.9%) of Renew consumers reported experiencing noticeable improvement in some aspect of their health within one month. Among those who felt an improvement in sleep, most reported experiencing a change within one week. These improvements were likely due to the synergistic effects of L-arginine, L-citrulline, L-lysine, and botanical extracts on nitric oxide production, growth hormone (GH) release, and sleep quality. The observed improvements in skin elasticity and hair growth may be related to increased GH levels and IGF-1 production. Overall, these findings suggest that Renew may have potential as a dietary intervention for improving various health outcomes beyond those provided by multivitamin/mineral supplementation alone. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action.
Hiller-Sturmhofel, S. and Bartke, A. (1998) The Endocrine System: An Overview. Alcohol Health and Research World, 22, 153-164.
Garcia, J.M., Merriam, G.R. and Kargi, A.Y. (updated 2019) Growth Hormone in Aging. In: Feingold, K.R., Anawalt, B., Boyce, A., et al., Eds., Endotext, MDText.com, Inc., South Dartmouth. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279163/
Giustina, A. and Veldhuis, J.D. (1998) Pathophysiology of the Neuroregulation of Growth Hormone Secretion in Experimental Animals and the Human. Endocrine Reviews, 19, 717-797. https://doi.org/10.1210/edrv.19.6.0353
Martin, F.C., Yeo, A.L. and Sonksen, P.H. (1997) Growth Hormone Secretion in the Elderly: Ageing and the Somatopause. Baillière’s Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 11, 223-250. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0950-351X(97)80257-1
Isidori, A., Lo Monaco, A. and Cappa, M. (1981) A Study of Growth Hormone Release in Man after Oral Administration of Amino Acids. Current Medical Research and Opinion, 7, 475-481. https://doi.org/10.1185/03007998109114287
Marini, J.C. (2012) Arginine and Ornithine Are the Main Precursors for Citrulline Synthesis in Mice. The Journal of Nutrition, 142, 572-580. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.111.153825
Zajac, A., Poprzecki, S., Zebrowska, A., Chalimoniuk, C. and Langfort, J. (2010) Arginine and Ornithine Supplementation Increases Growth Hormone and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Serum Levels after Heavy-Resistance Exercise in Strength-Trained Athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 24, 1082-1090. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181d321ff
Ghigo, E., Ceda, G.P., Valcavi, R., Goffi, S., Zini, M., Mucci, M., et al. (1994) Low Doses of Either Intravenously or Orally Administered Arginine Are Able to Enhance Growth Hormone Response to Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone in Elderly Subjects. Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, 17, 113-117. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03347695
Goli, P., Yazdi, M., Heidari-Beni, M. and Kelishadi, R. (2022) Growth Hormone Response to L-Arginine Alone and Combined with Different Doses of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Endocrinology, 2022, Article ID: 8739289. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8739289
McKenna, S.P. and Doward, L.C. (1994) Quality-of-Life Assessment of Adults with Growth Hormone Deficiency. Implications for Drug Therapy. PharmacoEconomics, 6, 434-441. https://doi.org/10.2165/00019053-199406050-00005
Ahmad, A.M., Hopkins, M.T., Thomas, J., Ibrahim, H., Fraser, W.D. and Vora, J.P. (2001) Body Composition and Quality of Life in Adults with Growth Hormone Deficiency; Effects of Low-Dose Growth Hormone Replacement. Clinical Endocrinology, 54, 709-717. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2265.2001.01275.x
West, B.J. and Swartz, F. (2022) In vitro Inhibition of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP-4) and Arginase by a Dietary Supplement and Its Potential for Improving Quality of Life Factors in Adults. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International, 34, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.9734/jpri/2022/v34i37A36193
AAPOR (American Association for Public Opinion Research) (2022) Institutional Review Boards. https://aapor.org/standards-and-ethics/institutional-review-boards/
Souissi, W., Hammouda, O., Ayachi, M., Ammar, A., Khcharem, A., de Marco, G., et al. (2020) Partial Sleep Deprivation Affects Endurance Performance and Psychophysiological Responses during 12-Minute Self-Paced Running Exercise. Physiology & Behavior, 227, Article ID: 113165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113165
Watson, A.M. (2017) Sleep and Athletic Performance. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 16, 413-418. https://doi.org/10.1249/JSR.0000000000000418
Ward, E. (2014) Addressing Nutritional Gaps with Multivitamin and Mineral Supplements. Nutrition Journal, 13, Article No. 72. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-13-72
Rautiainen, S., Manson, J.E., Lichtenstein, A.H. and Sesso, H.D. (2016) Dietary Supplements and Disease Prevention—A Global Overview. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 12, 407-420. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2016.54
Dodd, F.L., Kennedy, D.O., Stevenson, E.J., Veasey, R.C., Walker, K., Reed, S., Jackson, P.A. and Haskell-Ramsay, C.F. (2020) Acute and Chronic Effects of Multivitamin/Mineral Supplementation on Objective and Subjective Energy Measures. Nutrition & Metabolism, 17, Article No. 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12986-020-00435-1
Grima, N.A., Pase, M.P., Macpherson, H. and Pipingas, A. (2012) The Effects of Multivitamins on Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 29, 561-569. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-2011-111751
Sarris, J., Cox, K.H.M., Camfield, D.A., Scholey, A., Stough, C., Fogg, E., Kras, M., White, D.J., Sali, A. and Pipingas, A. (2012) Participant Experiences from Chronic Administration of a Multivitamin versus Placebo on Subjective Health and Wellbeing: A Double-Blind Qualitative Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrition Journal, 11, Article No. 110. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-11-110
Maric, D., Brkic, S., Tomic, S., Mikic, A.N., Cebovic, T. and Turkulov, V. (2014) Multivitamin Mineral Supplementation in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Medical Science Monitor, 20, 47-53. https://doi.org/10.12659/MSM.889333
Pilz., S, Frisch, S., Koertke, H., Kuhn, J., Dreier, J., Obermayer-Pietsch, B., Wehr, E. and Zittermann, A. (2011) Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Testosterone Levels in Men. Hormone and Metabolic Research, 43, 223-225. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0030-1269854
Krysiak, R., Szwajkosz, A. and Okopien, B. (2018) The Effect of Low Vitamin D Status on Sexual Functioning and Depressive Symptoms in Apparently Healthy Men: A Pilot Study. International Journal of Impotence Research, 30, 224-229. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-018-0041-7
Chang, E.M., Kim, Y.S., Won, H.J., Yoon, T.K. and Lee, W.S. (2014) Association between Sex Steroids, Ovarian Reserve, and Vitamin D Levels in Healthy Nonobese Women. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 99, 2526-2532. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2013-3873
Cieri-Hutcherson, N.E., Jaenecke, A., Bahia, A., Lucas, D., Oluloro, A., Stimmel, L. and Hutcherson, T.C. (2021) Systematic Review of L-Arginine for the Treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder and Related Conditions in Women. Pharmacy (Basel), 9, Article 71. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy9020071
Barassi, A., Corsi Romanelli, M.M., Pezzilli, R., Damele, C.A.L., Vaccalluzzo, L., Goi, G., Papini, N., Colpi, G.M., Massaccesi, L. and Melzi d’Eril, G.V. (2017). Levels of L-Arginine and L-Citrulline in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction of Different Etiology. Andrology, 5, 256-261. https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.12293
Rhim, H.C., Kim, M.S., Park, Y.J., Choi, W.S., Park, H.K., Kim, H.G., Kim, A. and Paick, S.H. (2019) The Potential Role of Arginine Supplements on Erectile Dysfunction: Asystemic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 16, 223-234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.12.002
Cormio, L., De Siati, M., Lorusso, F., Selvaggio, O., Mirabella, L., Sanguedolce, F. and Carrieri, G. (2011) Oral L-Citrulline Supplementation Improves Erection Hardness in Men with Mild Erectile Dysfunction. Urology, 77, 119-122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urology.2010.08.028
Schwedhelm, E., Maas, R., Freese, R., Jung, D., Lukacs, Z., Jambrecina, A., Spickler, W., Schulze, F. and Boger, R.H. (2008) Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Properties of Oral L-Citrulline and L-Arginine: Impact on Nitric Oxide Metabolism. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 65, 51-59. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2007.02990.x
Di Costanzo, L., Ilies, M., Thorn, K.J. and Christianson, D.W. (2010) Inhibition of Human Arginase I by Substrate and Product Analogues. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 496, 101-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abb.2010.02.004
Gambardella, J., Fiordelisi, A., Spigno, L., Boldrini, L., Lungonelli, G., Di Vaia, E., Santulli, G., Sorriento, D., Cerasuolo, F.A., Trimarco, V. and Iaccarino, G. (2021) Effects of Chronic Supplementation of L-Arginine on Physical Fitness in Water Polo Players. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2021, Article ID: 6684568. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6684568
Viribay, A., Burgos, J., Fernández-Landa, J., Seco-Calvo, J. and Mielgo-Ayuso, J. (2020) Effects of Arginine Supplementation on Athletic Performance Based on Energy Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients, 12, Article 1300. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12051300
Anderson, J.E. (2000) A Role for Nitric Oxide in Muscle Repair: Nitric Oxide-Mediated Activation of Muscle Satellite Cells. Molecular Biology of the Cell, 11, 1859-1874. https://doi.org/10.1091/mbc.11.5.1859
Mor, A., Yilmaz, A., Acar, K., Birinci, M.C. and Ipekoglu, G. (2020) Does Nitric Oxide Intake Affect Post-Exercise Recovery in Athletes? A Study on Cocoa, Caffeine and Nitric Oxide Supplement. Progress in Nutrition, 22, e2020007.
Alba-Roth, J., Muller, O.A., Schopohl, J. and von Werder, K. (1988) Arginine Stimulates Growth Hormone Secretion by Suppressing Endogenous Somatostatin Secretion. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 67, 1186-1189. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem-67-6-1186
O’Kane, R.L., Vina, J.R., Simpson, I., Zaragoza, R., Mokashi, A. and Hawkins, R.A. (2006) Cationic Amino Acid Transport across the Blood-Brain Barrier Is Mediated Exclusively by System y+. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, 291, E412-E419. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.00007.2006
Suzuki, T., Morita, M., Hayahsi, T. and Kamimura, A. (2017) The Effects on Plasma L-Arginine Levels of Combined Oral L-Citrulline and L-Arginine Supplementation in Healthy Males. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 81, 372-375. https://doi.org/10.1080/09168451.2016.1230007
Rashid, J., Kumar, S.S., Job, K.M., Liu, X., Fike, C.D. and Sherwin, C.M. (2020) Therapeutic Potential of Citrulline as an Arginine Supplement: A Clinical Pharmacology Review. Paediatric Drugs, 22, 279-293. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40272-020-00384-5
Frohman, L.A., Downs, T.R., Williams, T.C., Heimer, E.P., Pan, Y.C. and Felix, A.M. (1986) Rapid Enzymatic Degradation of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone by Plasma in vitro and in vivo to a Biologically Inactive Product Cleaved at the NH2 Terminus. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 78, 906-913. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI112679
Varin, E.M., Mulvihill, E.E., Beaudry, J.L., Pujadas, G., Fuchs, S., Tanti, J.F., Fazio, S., Kaur, K., Cao, X., Baggio, L.L., Matthews, D., Campbell, J.E. and Drucker, D.J. (2019) Circulating Levels of Soluble Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 Are Dissociated from Inflammation and Induced by Enzymatic DPP4 Inhibition. Cell Metabolism, 29, 320-334.E5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2018.10.001
Shah, P., Ardestani, A., Dharmadhikari, G., Laue, S., Schumann, D.M., Kerr-Conte, J., Pattou, F., Klein, T. and Maedler, K. (2013) The DPP-4 Inhibitor Linagliptin Restores β-Cell Function and Survival in Human Isolated Islets through GLP-1 Stabilization. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 98, E1163-E1172. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2013-1029
Nishad, R., Mukhi, D., Menon, R.K. and Pasupulati, A.K. (2018) Growth Hormone and Metabolic Homeostasis. EMJ Diabetes, 6, 78-87.
Van Cauter, E. and Plat, L. (1996) Physiology of Growth Hormone Secretion during Sleep. Journal of Pediatrics, 128, S32-S37. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3476(96)70008-2
Yamatsu, A., Yamashita, Y., Maru, I., Yang, J., Tatsuzaki, J. and Kim, M. (2015) The Improvement of Sleep by Oral Intake of GABA and Apocynum venetum Leaf Extract. Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, 61, 182-187. https://doi.org/10.3177/jnsv.61.182
Yamatsu, A., Yamashita, Y., Pandharipande, T., Maru, I. and Kim, M. (2016) Effect of Oral γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Administration on Sleep and Its Absorption in Humans. Food Science and Biotechnology, 25, 547-551. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-016-0076-9
Byun, J.I., Shin, Y.Y., Chung, S.E. and Shin, W.C. (2018) Safety and Efficacy of γ-Aminobutyric Acid from Fermented Rice Germ in Patients with Insomnia Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial. Journal of Clinical Neurology, 14, 291-295.
Sakashita, M., Nakamura, U., Horie, N., Yokoyama, Y., Kim, M. and Fujita, S. (2019) Oral Supplementation Using γ-Aminobutyric Acid and Whey Protein Improves Whole Body Fat-Free Mass in Men after Resistance Training. Journal of Clinical Medicine Research, 11, 428-434. https://doi.org/10.14740/jocmr3817
Choi, W.C., Reid, S.N.S., Ryu, J.K., Kim, Y., Jo, Y.H. and Jeon, B.H. (2016) Effects of γ-Aminobutyric Acid-Enriched Fermented Sea Tangle (Laminaria japonica) on Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor-Related Muscle Growth and Lipolysis in Middle Aged Women. Algae, 31, 175-187. https://doi.org/10.4490/algae.2016.31.6.12
Hokazono, H. and Uehara, E. (2016) Dermal Effects of Oral Administration of GABA in Humans. Nippon Shokuhin Kagaku Kogaku Kaishi, 63, 306-311. https://doi.org/10.3136/nskkk.63.306
Noordam, R., Gunn, D.A., Tomlin, C.C., Maier, A.B., Griffiths, T., Catt, S.D., Ogden, S., Slagboom, P.E., Westendorp, R.G., Griffiths, C.E., van Heemst, D. and de Craen, A.J. (2013) Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 and Facial Ageing: High lEvels Associate with Reduced Skin Wrinkling in a Cross-Sectional Study. British Journal of Dermatology, 168, 533-538. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.12131
Su, H.Y., Hickford, J.G., Bickerstaffe, R. and Palmer, B.R. (1999) Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 and Hair Growth. Dermatology Online Journal, 5, 1. https://doi.org/10.5070/D32V79R893
Trueb, R.M. (2018) Further Clinical Evidence for the Effect of IGF-1 on Hair Growth and Alopecia. Skin Appendage Disorders, 4, 90-95. https://doi.org/10.1159/000479333
Kord-Varkaneh, H., Rinaldi, G., Hekmatdoost, A., Fatahi, S., Tan, S.C., Shadnoush, M., Khani, V., Mousavi, S.M., Zarezadeh, M., Salamat, S., Bawadi, H. and Rahmani, J. (2020) The Influence of Vitamin D Supplementation on IGF-1 Levels in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Ageing Research Reviews, 57, Article ID: 100996. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2019.100996