I think there are distinct differences between doing a low carb diet and then tinkering with hormones levels directly. I don't mind doing things that help my health...and basically low carb diet is no different to caveman diet and it never hurt them. But it's different when you play around with hormones.
My son has a medical condition that can sometimes predispose him to over production of GH androstenedione and testosterone if it is not controlled well so that's one of the reasons I have studied that and the possible side-effects of such or long term effects. Besdies the impracticality of having a 7 yo in puberty or pubertal behaviour in toddler hood due to elevated sex hormones, it at been nothing short of hard work really controlling things the way they should be for him with corticosteroids and walking the fine line between that and overdose with steroids which stunt growth. One cannot win, but I have seen what hormone imbalances can cause for him and I don't think that it stops in adulthood. Just like an overdose of his med's would cause just as much bone loss in an adult as it can him, so can over production of other hormones cause other side-effects if the levels are higher than what the body would normally produce.
Sometimes the symptoms are not always evident right away. Something like Huntingtons desease would take years to crop up for example. But once it does, there is no repairing the effects of it---it is done.
I don't think anyone should play around with it. Like I said the body has this wonderful way of naturally increasing these hormones all of it's own accord. For example GH is secreted in large amounts when we exert ourselves and at night in deep sleep. It is secreted in a pulsatile manner and the pituitary knows just what amount is needed to be released in volume for the amount of damage done to make good repair. Unless you have Addisons and cannot make GH then I really would not be taking supplement at all that can increase it or HGH itself. As I said it is one of the reasons why a full day rest and two at the weeked is good for body builders. First they have the surge of cortisol and GH and testosterone comes with that. These are released in higher amounts than a non active person--and always in an appropriate amount for the purpose. To take more not knowing what the potential hazards could be years from now is quite risky.
I am quite happy to leave the level my body makes the stuff at and have it increase the level beyond what it would be if I were as inactive as I were before engaging in the BFL program. I know it has increased because of my sex drive increased too and my continual ability to repair and recuperate after a workout without the supplements. I always feel right before the next session and I think as long as you make sure your body has the right nutrients, you will be fine. I believe we should take a good multi vitamin because when dieting and exercising we don't always get all the nutrients that we need. In ensuring that there is enough there for the body to utilize in repair is good enough in my opinion. But no one would take 5 grams of glutamine in in an average days eating normal food.
After thinking things through actually 9and this thread has helped me) I may give them a miss and just stick with cottage cheese.
Waste of $11 but nevermind..I may save a few neurons.