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    Ingredient guide · Ingredient reference

    Should you increase IGF-1 with diet, exercise or supplements?

    A higher IGF-1 level is not automatically a better health or fitness target. Levels vary with age and can help clinicians assess growth-hormone disorders. Adequate nutrition and exercise support health, but no universal food, training schedule or supplement regimen is established for safely maximizing IGF-1.

    Read the evidence ↓

    Supplement Science Insights Editorial Team

    Published September 23, 2026

    Interpret the level in context

    MedlinePlus explains that IGF-1 mediates many growth-hormone effects and changes across life. A low result may reflect normal age-related change or a medical condition; high values can also indicate a disorder. Appropriate reference ranges and further assessment matter more than comparing yourself with a youthful maximum. [1]

    Correct a cause rather than chasing a transient response

    Nutrition and activity can affect the growth-hormone system, but an acute exercise-related hormone change is not proof of lasting muscle gain or better health. Malnutrition and endocrine disease require their own treatment. The Increlex label explicitly separates primary deficiency from secondary causes such as malnutrition or hypothyroidism. [1][2]

    Growth-factor supplement claims are not a validated plan

    OPSS finds no established performance benefit for deer-antler velvet and uncertainty about what growth factors remain in finished products. A natural-source claim does not supply a predictable IGF-1 dose. Athletes also need to consider prohibited-substance rules. [3][4]

    Use clinical goals for follow-up

    Imagine a healthy adult wants to raise a low-normal result for anti-aging. Discuss whether the test indicates any disorder before adding products. A child with poor growth or an adult with signs of hormone disease needs specialist assessment, not an online boosting protocol. [1][5]

    Hypothetical example — interpret a hypothetical IGF-1 target
    QuestionInterpretation
    Low-normal resultNot automatically deficiency
    Exercise hormone changeNot proof of lasting benefit
    Antler productUncertain content and benefit
    Growth concernClinical assessment
    Should you increase IGF-1 with diet, exercise or supplements? — original article outline diagram
    Original editorial diagram of this article’s sections; no product photograph or clinical finding is depicted.

    Sources for this article

    1. IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1) Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test
      Source consulted: 2026-09-21. This is a reference resource, not a claim that we conducted the studies or tested a product.
    2. These highlights do not include all the information needed to use INCRELEX ®safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for INCRELEX ®. INCRELEX ®(mecasermin) injection, for subcutaneous use Initial U.S. Approval: 2005
      Source consulted: 2026-09-21. This is a reference resource, not a claim that we conducted the studies or tested a product.
    3. Deer Antler Velvet in Dietary Supplements
      Source consulted: 2026-09-21. This is a reference resource, not a claim that we conducted the studies or tested a product.
    4. Growth Hormone in Sport: What Athletes Should Know | USADA
      Source consulted: 2026-09-21. This is a reference resource, not a claim that we conducted the studies or tested a product.
    5. Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know - Consumer
      Source consulted: 2026-09-21. This is a reference resource, not a claim that we conducted the studies or tested a product.