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Arginine
•Last Updated: January 23, 2023
Arginine is an amino acid involved in the regulation of vascular function and blood flow. Supplementation may improve high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction.
Arginine is most often used for
Last Updated:January 23, 2023
Arginine, or L-arginine, is an amino acid that serves as a protein building block and plays a role in the urea and nitric oxide cycles, which help remove toxic ammonia and produce nitric oxide for vascular signaling. It can be synthesized by the body or obtained from protein-rich foods and dietary supplements.
Supplemental arginine can lower blood pressure in both people with no health conditions and in people with hypertension, improve pregnancy outcomes for women with conditions like hypertension and preeclampsia, and alleviate symptoms of erectile dysfunction. Additionally, it may reduce blood triglycerides in older adults or those with metabolic syndrome, though its effects on exercise performance are generally minimal.
Arginine supplementation can lead to gastrointestinal issues in humans, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, although animal studies showed no toxicity. As a precaution, the upper-limit guidelines suggest a daily intake of 20 to 30 grams, but further long-term safety evidence in humans is necessary.
Arginine works by increasing the synthesis of nitric oxide, which promotes vasodilation and improves blood flow and potentially benefits conditions like high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction. Additionally, arginine aids in the urea cycle, which helps to excrete ammonia and reduce exercise-induced fatigue.
Note that Arginine is also known as:
- L-Arginine
The standard preworkout dose for arginine is 3–6 grams.
Taking more than 10 grams of arginine at once can result in gastrointestinal distress and diarrhea, but it is possible to maintain elevated arginine levels throughout the day by taking three spaced doses (15–18 grams/day). However, citrulline supplementation is more effective at maintaining elevated arginine levels for long periods of time.
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- Blood glucose - Monti LD, Setola E, Lucotti PC, Marrocco-Trischitta MM, Comola M, Galluccio E, Poggi A, Mammì S, Catapano AL, Comi G, Chiesa R, Bosi E, Piatti PMEffect of a long-term oral l-arginine supplementation on glucose metabolism: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialDiabetes Obes Metab.(2012 Oct)
- Nitric Oxide - Lucotti P, Setola E, Monti LD, Galluccio E, Costa S, Sandoli EP, Fermo I, Rabaiotti G, Gatti R, Piatti PBeneficial effects of a long-term oral L-arginine treatment added to a hypocaloric diet and exercise training program in obese, insulin-resistant type 2 diabetic patientsAm J Physiol Endocrinol Metab.(2006 Nov)
- Oxidative Stress Biomarkers - Jabłecka A, Bogdański P, Balcer N, Cieślewicz A, Skołuda A, Musialik KThe effect of oral L-arginine supplementation on fasting glucose, HbA1c, nitric oxide and total antioxidant status in diabetic patients with atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease of lower extremitiesEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci.(2012 Mar)
- Insulin - Isidori A, Lo Monaco A, Cappa MA study of growth hormone release in man after oral administration of amino acidsCurr Med Res Opin.(1981)
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- Nitric Oxide - Liu TH, Wu CL, Chiang CW, Lo YW, Tseng HF, Chang CKNo effect of short-term arginine supplementation on nitric oxide production, metabolism and performance in intermittent exercise in athletesJ Nutr Biochem.(2009 Jun)
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- Triglycerides - Sepandi M, Abbaszadeh S, Qobady S, Taghdir MEffect of L-Arginine supplementation on lipid profiles and inflammatory markers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Pharmacol Res.(2019-Oct)
- Nitric Oxide - Stephen J. Bailey, Paul G. Winyard, Anni Vanhatalo, Jamie R. Blackwell, Fred J. DiMenna, Daryl Paul Wilkerson, and Andrew M. JonesAcute L-arginine supplementation reduces the O2 cost of moderate-intensity exercise and enhances high-intensity exercise toleranceJournal of Applied Physiology.()
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