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GHR Formula

Swanson
4.6
(110 ratings)
Alpha-GPC 10 mg
Product Image
Score 25.0

This product features a blend of amino acids and a very low dose of Alpha-GPC and Mucuna pruriens, marketed for brain health, focus, and fitness. While affordable, the dosages of key ingredients, especially Alpha-GPC (10mg), are far too low to be effective for significant cognitive enhancement or growth hormone support.

Quantity: 120 Capsule(s)Servings size: 2 Capsule(s) (60 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Brain Health
Mental Focus
Cognitive Support
Fitness

Score 25.0

This product features a blend of amino acids and a very low dose of Alpha-GPC and Mucuna pruriens, marketed for brain health, focus, and fitness. While affordable, the dosages of key ingredients, especially Alpha-GPC (10mg), are far too low to be effective for significant cognitive enhancement or growth hormone support.

Analysis

Swanson GHR Formula is formulated with a combination of amino acids (L-Arginine, L-Ornithine, L-Lysine, Glycine), Mucuna pruriens, Alpha-GPC, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin C. The inclusion of amino acids like arginine and ornithine suggests an intent to support growth hormone release, often associated with fitness and recovery. However, the scientific evidence supporting significant oral growth hormone elevation in healthy adults at these dosages is limited and inconclusive, with many studies requiring much higher amounts for any potential effect. For cognitive goals such as brain health, mental focus, and cognitive support, the product includes Alpha-GPC, an excellent choline source, but at an extremely low dose of 10mg. Clinically effective doses for cognitive benefits typically range from 300-600mg. Similarly, the 25mg of Mucuna pruriens (a source of L-Dopa) is also a very low dose for noticeable cognitive or mood effects. The other vitamins contribute to general health but are not primary drivers for the stated specific goals. Compared to robust nootropic supplements or targeted Alpha-GPC products available, this formula offers minimal potency for its cognitive claims.

Pros
  • Very affordable price per serving.
  • Contains a blend of amino acids traditionally associated with growth hormone release.
  • Includes a quality form of Alpha-GPC (AlphaSize), although at an insufficient dosage.
Cons
  • Alpha-GPC is severely underdosed at 10mg, making it ineffective for cognitive goals.
  • Mucuna pruriens is also at a very low dose, unlikely to provide noticeable benefits.
  • The efficacy of the amino acid blend for significant growth hormone release at these oral doses in healthy individuals is largely debated and not well-supported by robust clinical evidence.
  • Broad claims for brain health and cognitive support are not adequately met by the ingredient dosages.
Warnings
  • Individuals should manage expectations regarding the efficacy of this product for its stated cognitive and fitness goals due to the low dosages of key active ingredients.
$22.69($0.37 per serving)
iHerb
$ 22.69
Ingredients
IngredientAmount per serving
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 100 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) 16.6 mg
L-Arginine 620 mg
L-Ornithine Alpha-Ketoglutarate 350 mg
L-Ornithine Hydrochloride 230 mg
Glycine 230 mg
L-Lysine Hydrochloride 120 mg
standardized Mucuna pruriens extract 25 mg
AlphaSize Alpha-Glyceryl Phosphoryl Choline (Soy Lecithin) 10 mg
Adults 18–50
Categories
Alpha-GPC 10.0
While the product contains Alpha-GPC (specifically AlphaSize, a high-quality form), its quantity of 10mg is profoundly underdosed. Compared to dedicated Alpha-GPC products or comprehensive nootropics that often provide 300mg to 600mg per serving, this amount is insufficient to deliver the recognized benefits of Alpha-GPC for cognitive function or performance.
Goals
Fitness 30.0
The fitness goal is addressed primarily through a blend of amino acids (Arginine, Ornithine, Lysine, Glycine) which are theoretically linked to growth hormone release, a factor in recovery and muscle growth. However, the scientific evidence for significant oral growth hormone elevation from these specific amino acid doses in healthy adults is mixed and often requires much higher intake, making its practical impact on fitness questionable for many users.
Brain Health 15.0
The score for Brain Health is low because the primary brain-supporting ingredient, Alpha-GPC, is present at a negligible 10mg. Effective doses for Alpha-GPC typically start at 300mg, making this dosage insufficient to provide noticeable benefits for overall brain health. The other ingredients are not directly recognized for significant brain health support.
Mental Focus 15.0
Mental focus benefits from compounds like Alpha-GPC or L-Dopa precursors, both of which are included but at very low dosages (10mg Alpha-GPC, 25mg Mucuna pruriens). These amounts are unlikely to produce any significant or sustained improvement in mental focus compared to products with clinically relevant doses.
88 Value

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Alpha GPC 300 mg

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(2577 ratings)
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75 Budget

Natural Brain Enhancers

Doctor's Best
4.5
(3520 ratings)
Despite being more expensive at 67 cents per serving, it provides 300mg of AlphaSize Alpha-GPC along with Phosphatidylserine, offering a vastly superior and more effective cognitive blend for a modest increase in price.
88 Value

Natural Brain Enhancers

Doctor's Best
4.5
(3520 ratings)
For 67 cents per serving, this product delivers a clinically relevant 300mg of AlphaSize Alpha-GPC plus Phosphatidylserine, offering substantially superior cognitive benefits and value compared to the original's minimal Alpha GPC dose.
87 Value

Alpha-GPC 300 mg

Swanson
4.6
(325 ratings)
At only 37 cents per serving, this offers a pure 300mg Alpha GPC dose, which is vastly more effective for cognitive support than the GHR Formula's 10mg, providing significantly higher efficacy for a minimal price increase.
86 Value

Alpha GPC 300 mg

Jarrow Formulas
4.6
(2577 ratings)
Providing 300mg of Alpha GPC for 51 cents per serving, this option gives significantly more targeted cognitive benefits from a trusted brand at a competitive price, offering much better value for brain health than the multi-ingredient GHR formula.
95 Performance

Nu Clarity

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4.3
(277 ratings)
This complex formula contains a balanced blend of several well-regarded nootropics, including a functional dose of Alpha-GPC, offering a much more comprehensive and effective approach to brain health, focus, and cognitive support.
92 Performance

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Huge Nutrition
4.7
(56 ratings)
With a substantial 600mg of Alpha GPC combined with a powerful array of other cognitive enhancers like Lion's Mane and Huperzine A, this product provides a far superior and more potent nootropic effect for all stated goals.
90 Performance

Cognitex Basics

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4.5
(2027 ratings)
This supplement offers a more effective dose of Alpha-GPC (250mg) alongside Phosphatidylserine and other beneficial compounds, providing a scientifically backed and more comprehensive solution for cognitive support.