BrightFutures Staff Our Rating: 2.5/5 | Xtralife HGH-X3 is a heavily-marketed “natural HGH booster” targeting parents desperate to increase their children’s height, combining amino acids (L-arginine 1300mg, L-ornithine 500mg, L-glutamine 500mg, L-glycine 500mg, L-lysine 250mg) with chromium picolinate (200mcg) and niacinamide (50mg)—ingredients with extremely limited evidence for stimulating growth hormone in healthy children.
This HGH supplement also misses on critical HGH-supporting compounds (deer antler velvet, GABA, cholinergic precursors, anti somatostatin compounds), and relying primarily on parents’ desperation and fake-looking testimonials rather than legitimate science, making it an expensive placebo ($40-60) that exploits parental anxiety about children’s growth while delivering negligible-to-zero height increases beyond what genetics and proper nutrition already provide.
HGH-3 Pros & Cons
PROS:
- Ingredients disclosed (not proprietary blend)
- Safe amino acids with no serious side effects
- Chromium inclusion shows some formulation thought
- Won’t actively harm children (just won’t help either)
CONS:
- All amino acids severely underdosed for HGH effects
- Missing critical compounds (GABA, deer antler velvet, cholinergic precursors)
- Exploits parental anxiety about children’s height
- No legitimate evidence for increasing children’s final adult height
- Fake-looking testimonials undermine credibility
- Expensive ($40-60) for basic amino acids
- Won’t override genetic height limitations
Also read: Our comprehensive list of best HGH boosters in the market
My Background With HGH Supplements (And Why Parents Should Be Skeptical)
I’ve researched HGH supplements extensively for athletic performance and anti-aging purposes over a decade. The uncomfortable truth: natural HGH supplements provide minimal-to-zero measurable HGH increases in healthy individuals. The only things that genuinely increase HGH are:
- Actual synthetic HGH injections (prescription only, expensive, side effects)
- Intense exercise (especially resistance training and HIIT)
- Deep sleep (most HGH released during stage 3/4 sleep)
- Caloric restriction/fasting (temporary increases)
- Being young (natural HGH peaks in puberty)
Amino acid supplements claiming to “boost HGH naturally” produce at best tiny, transient HGH increases (15-30% for 1-2 hours) that have zero practical impact on growth, muscle building, or anti-aging compared to proper training, sleep, and nutrition.
Amino acids supplements need to be combined with other important ingredients like anti-somatostatin cholinergic compounds.
For children’s height specifically, genetics account for 80%+ of final height. The remaining 20% comes from nutrition, sleep, and avoiding growth-stunting factors (malnutrition, chronic illness, extreme stress). Amino acid supplements don’t meaningfully impact this equation.
What You’re Actually Getting (Amino Acids With Inflated Hope)
L-Arginine (1,300mg)
This amino acid supposedly stimulates HGH by reducing somatostatin (the hormone that inhibits HGH release). From research: oral arginine CAN produce small, temporary HGH increases in adults—but only at massive doses (9,000-15,000mg), taken on empty stomach, before sleep. The 1,300mg in HGH-X3 is far too low.
For children specifically, there’s virtually NO evidence that oral arginine supplementation increases height. Children already produce abundant natural HGH during puberty. Adding 1,300mg arginine won’t overcome genetic height limitations.
L-Ornithine (500mg + 250mg as OKG)
Similar to arginine—theoretically supports HGH release. Research shows modest transient increases at doses of 6,000-10,000mg. The 750mg total here (500mg + 250mg OKG) is homeopathic in comparison. This is window-dressing, not therapeutic dosing.
L-Glutamine (500mg)
Supports immune function and gut health. Some research suggests high-dose glutamine (5,000-10,000mg) may slightly increase HGH post-exercise. At 500mg, this provides essentially zero HGH benefit beyond normal dietary glutamine intake.
L-Glycine (500mg)
Can support sleep quality at higher doses (3,000-5,000mg). Better sleep = more natural HGH release. But 500mg is far below the dose needed for sleep enhancement.
L-Lysine (250mg)
Works synergistically with arginine in some research. However, effective doses studied are 1,200-1,500mg lysine with 1,200mg arginine. At 250mg, this is insufficient.
Chromium Picolinate (200mcg)
This is the ONLY intelligent inclusion. Chromium supports insulin sensitivity. Since insulin and HGH have inverse relationships (high insulin suppresses HGH), chromium theoretically supports optimal HGH environment. However, 200mcg is a modest dose—helpful if deficient, negligible if already adequate.
Niacinamide/Vitamin B3 (50mg)
Supports NAD+ production and cellular energy. No direct HGH relationship. This is a basic B-vitamin inclusion with no specific growth-promoting effects beyond preventing B3 deficiency.
What’s MISSING (Critical HGH-Supporting Compounds Absent)
Deer Antler Velvet:
Contains IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1), which mediates many of HGH’s growth effects. Quality HGH supplements include this. HGH-X3 doesn’t.
GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid):
Research shows GABA can increase HGH when taken before sleep. Effective doses: 3,000-5,000mg. Completely absent from HGH-X3.
Mucuna Pruriens (L-Dopa):
Dopamine precursor that can stimulate HGH release. Missing from this formula.
Alpha-GPC or Choline:
Cholinergic compounds that reduce somatostatin (HGH inhibitor). These are anti-somatostatin ingredients that quality HGH formulas include. HGH-X3 lacks them entirely.
Colostrum:
Contains growth factors including IGF-1. Premium HGH supplements include this. Absent here.
The absence of these compounds reveals HGH-X3 as a basic amino acid formula with “HGH” slapped on the label for marketing rather than a thoughtfully-formulated growth hormone optimizer.
The Uncomfortable Reality for Parents
I need to be direct: Giving your child this supplement will not meaningfully increase their final adult height. Here’s why:
Genetics Dominate: If both parents are 5’4″, no supplement will make their child 6’2″. Genetics account for 80-90% of height variation.
Children Already Produce Peak HGH: During puberty, children naturally produce MORE HGH than at any other life stage. Their growth plates respond optimally to this natural surge. Adding 1,300mg arginine won’t override genetic programming.
What Actually Matters for Children’s Height:
- Adequate nutrition (sufficient protein, calcium, vitamin D, zinc)
- Quality sleep (8-10 hours nightly—when natural HGH peaks)
- Regular exercise (especially jumping, running—stimulates bone growth)
- Avoiding growth suppressors (chronic stress, malnutrition, untreated illness)
- Medical evaluation if genuinely below growth curves (possible deficiency requiring prescription treatment)
When to Actually Worry: If your child is tracking significantly below growth percentiles for their genetic potential, consult an endocrinologist. Genuine growth hormone deficiency requires medical diagnosis and prescription HGH treatment—not supplements.
The Fake Review Problem
The user reviews you’ve seen (“We’ve tried numerous growth supplements… none compare to HGH-X3…”) follow classic fake review patterns:
- Overly enthusiastic language
- Generic praise without specific details
- No mention of actual height gains (measurable data)
- Professional marketing tone rather than parent voice
- No criticism whatsoever
Comparing to Other HGH Supplements
Vs. Quality HGH Formulas (GenF20 Plus):
- Premium formulas: Include deer antler velvet, GABA, alpha-GPC, colostrum—compounds with actual HGH research
- HGH-X3: Basic amino acids at subtherapeutic doses
- Winner: Premium formulas for adults wanting actual HGH optimization (still modest effects)
Vs. Standalone Amino Acids:
- Arginine 5000mg + Ornithine 2000mg + GABA 3000mg before sleep: Research-backed dosing for modest HGH increases in adults
- HGH-X3: Everything underdosed, no GABA
- Winner: Standalone amino acids at proper doses cost less and work better
Vs. Doing Nothing:
- HGH-X3: Expensive placebo exploiting parental anxiety
- Proper sleep, nutrition, exercise: Free and proven to optimize natural growth
- Winner: Science-based lifestyle factors by enormous margin
Who Should (And Shouldn’t) Try HGH-X3
MIGHT CONSIDER (With Low Expectations):
- Adults exploring HGH optimization (though better formulas exist)
- Those wanting amino acid supplementation for other reasons
- People who’ve tried everything else and have money to waste
- Individuals wanting placebo peace-of-mind
ABSOLUTELY NOT FOR:
- Parents hoping to increase children’s height (won’t work; exploitative marketing)
- Anyone expecting measurable HGH increases
- Those believing it replaces proper nutrition, sleep, exercise
- People on tight budgets (complete waste of money)
- Anyone thinking it compares to prescription HGH
How to Actually Support Children’s Growth
Invest Money in These Instead:
Nutrition ($50-100/month):
- High-quality protein sources (chicken, fish, eggs, dairy)
- Calcium-rich foods (dairy, fortified plant milk, leafy greens)
- Vitamin D supplementation if deficient (1000-2000 IU daily)
- Zinc-rich foods (meat, seeds, legumes)
Sleep Environment ($0-200 one-time):
- Blackout curtains for quality sleep
- Comfortable mattress supporting 9-10 hours nightly
- Consistent sleep schedule (most HGH released during deep sleep)
Physical Activity ($0-50/month):
- Sports encouraging jumping (basketball, volleyball)
- Swimming (full-body development)
- Regular outdoor play and movement
Medical Evaluation if Concerned ($200-500):
- Endocrinologist consultation if genuinely tracking below percentiles
- Bone age X-ray to assess growth potential
- Possible prescription treatment if actual deficiency diagnosed
Total investment: $250-850 for things that ACTUALLY impact growth versus $40-60 monthly for amino acids that don’t.
Performance Ratings
HGH Stimulation (Children): 1.0/5 – Essentially zero impact on final height beyond genetics and nutrition.
HGH Stimulation (Adults): 2.0/5 – Possible tiny transient increases; far below effective dosing.
Formula Quality: 2.2/5 – Basic amino acids; missing critical HGH-supporting compounds.
Ingredient Transparency: 3.5/5 – Doses disclosed (unlike proprietary blends), but doses are inadequate.
Value for Money: 1.5/5 – $40-60 for underdosed amino acids is terrible value.
Marketing Honesty: 1.0/5 – Exploits parental desperation with pseudo-scientific height increase claims.
Safety: 4.0/5 – Ingredients themselves are safe; won’t harm children (beyond wasted money).
My Final Verdict
Xtralife HGH-X3 earns its 2.5/5 rating by combining safe but severely underdosed amino acids in a formula that cannot possibly deliver the height increases desperate parents hope for, while charging premium pricing and relying on questionable testimonials to exploit parental anxiety about their children’s growth.
My recommendation for parents: DO NOT waste money on this.
Bottom line: HGH-X3 is an expensive placebo that preys on parents’ natural desire to help their children reach maximum height potential. The amino acids are safe but woefully underdosed for any HGH effect, the formula omits critical growth-supporting compounds, and no amount of supplementation will overcome genetic height limitations.
Save your $40-60 monthly and invest in proven growth factors: quality food, adequate sleep, and regular exercise. For quality HGH supplements, read our guide here.