Arginine is an amino acid that plays an important role in wound healing, detoxification reactions, immune functions, and promoting the secretion of several hormones, including insulin and growth hormone. Recently there has been considerable scientific investigation regarding arginine's role in the formation of nitric oxide. This compound plays a central role in determining the tone of blood vessels. Specifically, it exerts a relaxing effect on blood vessels, thereby improving blood flow. Normally, the body makes enough arginine, even when the diet is lacking. However, in some instances, the body may not be able to keep up with increased requirements and supplementation may prove useful. Foods high in arginine are chocolate, peanuts, seeds, and nuts such as almonds and walnuts.
Arginine
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Dr. Michael T. Murray, ND , Naturopathic Medicine, answeredArginine supplementation is proving to be beneficial in a number of cardiovascular diseases, including angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, and peripheral vascular insufficiency (decreased blood flow to the legs or arms). Its beneficial effect in all of these disorders shares a common mechanism: increasing nitric oxide levels. Nitric oxide plays a central role in regulating blood flow. By increasing nitric oxide levels, arginine supplementation improves blood flow, reduces blood clot formation, and improves blood fluidity (the blood becomes less viscous and therefore flows through blood vessels more easily). The degree of improvement offered by arginine supplementation in angina and other cardiovascular diseases can be quite significant due to improved nitric oxide levels.
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Dr. Michael T. Murray, ND , Naturopathic Medicine, answered
Interstitial cystitis is characterized by symptoms typical of a urinary tract infection (pain or burning upon urination, sense of urgency, and increased urinary frequency), but without evidence of an infection. Compared to people without interstitial cystitis, nitric oxide manufacture is decreased in patients with chronic interstitial cystitis. Nitric oxide plays a role in bladder function. Since arginine is the building block for nitric oxide manufacture, researchers have sought to find out if arginine supplementation can improve interstitial cystitis. In a pilot study, positive results were observed in ten patients receiving 1,500 milligrams of arginine daily, after one month of use. In a follow-up double-blind study, fifty-three interstitial cystitis patients were assigned to receive 1,500 milligrams of arginine daily, or a placebo orally, for three months. Results indicated that 48 percent of the patients receiving arginine compared to 24 percent of the placebo group experienced a decrease in pain intensity and a tendency toward improvement in urgency and frequency of pain. These results indicate that arginine is helpful in some interstitial cystitis patients. Further research is needed to help identify responders.
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Dr. Michael T. Murray, ND , Naturopathic Medicine, answered
Arginine supplementation is often, but not always, an effective measure to improve male fertility. The critical determinant appears to be the level of the sperm count. If the sperm count is less than 20 million per milliliter, arginine supplementation is not likely to offer any benefit. To be effective for increased fertility, it appears that the dosage of arginine should be at least four grams a day for three months.
In perhaps the most favorable study, 74 percent of 178 men with low sperm counts had significant improvements in sperm counts and motility. Please note: arginine therapy should be reserved for use after other nutritional measures have been tried; other underlying nutritional requirements may be present and should be addressed as they cannot be corrected by arginine therapy alone.
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Discovery Health answeredL-arginine's most famously touted benefit - a chiseled body with bulging muscles - may actually be its least important contribution.
One reason is because L-arginine really doesn't work as a miracle shortcut to a bodacious body, according to the Mayo Clinic. There is no shortcut.
But L-arginine may actually be very beneficial to human growth.
Scientists do know that L-arginine stimulates protein production, particularly creatine, which does help build muscle mass. But there is so much that researchers do not yet know about L-arginine that it is hard to say just how beneficial it really is to human growth.
When it comes to L-arginine and human growth, there are a lot of maybes involved.
L-arginine may boost human growth hormone. Estrogen may boost its activity. Progesterone may suppress it.
L-arginine may assist with human growth before birth, but not enough studies have been conducted. L-arginine may one day be given to pregnant women to boost fetal growth, particularly in cases of preeclampsia.
And L-arginine may help prevent wasting. Those suffering from HIV/AIDS and other chronic wasting diseases seem to have benefit from L-arginine's capacity to assist the body in holding onto its muscle mass. This is helpful in a couple of ways. Not only is the body more susceptible to other conditions when there is plummeting body weight, but individuals can lose independence if they loose muscle. So L-arginine may help boost quality of life. -
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Discovery Health answered
When the muscle bound man who makes Arnold look wimpy talks on the commercial about how an amino acid called L-arginine made him the way he is, he is right about one thing.
L-arginine, also called arginine, is an amino acid.
Sure, maybe it can make you healthier, but it sure won't turn you into Mr. America. It won't make your pecs enormous. It won't give you six-pack abs and it won't make your forearms look like Popeye's. But it may turn you into Mr. Sick if you take as much as the guy on the commercial.
Clearly, the body needs L-arginine - a naturally occurring substance akin to human growth hormone in its miraculous benefits. L-arginine assists waste removal and synthesizes proteins. Those who lack sufficient amounts, perhaps through burns, infection, malnutrition, dialysis and other reasons, may be constipated, suffer from a loss of hair known as alopecia and have skin troubles. They may take longer to heal and their livers may experience fat build up.
But before you take anything containing L-arginine, be cautious. Very cautious. Read about it and learn what it does, what it does not do and its effect on human growth.
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Discovery Health answered
Usually, the human body produces enough of the amino acid L-arginine.
But not always. Sometimes, because of a traumatic injury or liver disease, the body cannot make enough.
But it needs L-arginine. So it is considered a semi-essential amino acid.
This is what L-arginine can do for you. It helps the body produce urea, the end result of when your body breaks down proteins and what you eliminate when you urinate. The body needs urea because it helps eliminate the excess nitrogen produced when proteins are broken down. L-arginine also assists in the body's production of creatine, which is a protein that helps build muscle mass. L-arginine also helps the body eliminate creatinine, which is the waste product of building muscle mass. These are the reasons, by the way, that the bodybuilding industry trumpets creatine and L-arginine supplements.
You can obtain additional L-arginine as a natural supplement, by inhaling it or injecting it.
As a medicine, L-arginine is considered a vasodilator, which means that it dilates blood vessels. That means more blood flows, which lowers blood pressure and can, in certain instances, help the bodyh cope with arterial blockages from conditions like atherosclerosis.
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Discovery Health answered
So how can L-arginine help you?
Do you have a few minutes?
Sometimes the body has trouble eliminating waste due to problems with the production of a substance called urea. Enter L-arginine. It can restore ureic harmony.
Then there are heart problems. Like angina and coronary disease. Two major research institutes - the Mayo Clinic and the National Institutes of Health say there is more research that needs to be conducted. But L-arginine may be good for some heart patients, because it may improve blood flow and, in some cases, reduce blood pressure. Those with blood clots, particularly in the legs, may find relief with L-arginine. Have an open wound? L-arginine might help. Have a severe burn? Try L-arginine. Malnourished? Suffering from wasting disease? Try L-arginine.
L-arginine may even help sooth that aching migraine.
And when the headache is over, there's another thing L-arginine may be good for - improving your sex life. How you ask? By improving blood flow to the necessary body parts that rely on dilated blood vessels. Some even say it can improve sexual stamina. But more study, of course, is needed. But don't get too worked up. Unless your erectile dysfunction is due to blood flow issues, L-arginine is no better than a placebo. -
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Discovery Health answered
Before you put down L-arginine on your short list of miracle products, remember that the can be adverse side effects.
Because L-arginine plays a role in how your body handles waste, it may adversely affect some of the organs involves in that process. Liver and kidney problems may be increased through the use of L-arginine. Potassium imbalances, dehydration, nausea, stomach cramps and other digestive malaise have been blamed on L-arginine.
The affect L-arginine has on the circulatory system may also cause side effects there. Those recovering from heart attacks should avoid L-arginine. Because it dilates blood vessels, L-arginine may also increase excessive bleeding risks. L-arginine may also be bad news for hemophiliacs, people on blood thinners and people taking gingko balboa should refrain from taking L-arginine, the latter because it is also a herbal supplement that can increase bleeding risks.
Those with sickle cell disease see their symptoms get worse from taking L-arginine. And it can exacerbate low blood pressure problems as well.
Though dialysis hinders L-arginine production in the body, supplements can increase blood sugar, another example of the intricacies of the body.
But perhaps the worst side effect of L-arginine is anaphylaxis, an extremely severe allergic reaction known to cause shock and maybe even death. An anaphylactic reaction is most unpleasant. You may have sudden chills, diarrhea, shortness of breath, hives, tremors, sweating and even fainting - sometimes all at the same time.
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Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answeredBefore you take L-arginine, you should know the supplement may affect certain medical conditions and medications, cause side effects, and increase certain risks.
Certain health conditions, such as allergies, asthma, recent heart attack, low blood pressure, herpes infection, and pregnancy, may complicate your use of L-arginine, and you should talk to your doctor before taking it.
L-arginine may interact with some medications, so tell you doctor that you are taking L-arginine before any new medicine is prescribed and ask your doctor before using it along with other medications.
L-arginine is known to interact with blood pressure medications, phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, and nitrates. When used with these medications, L-arginine may lower blood pressure to unsafe levels.
Using L-arginine may increase the risk of bleeding, blood sugar levels, and potassium levels (especially if you have liver disease). If you are using blood thinners, antiplatelet drugs, or drugs to control blood sugar or if you have bleeding disorders or liver disease, talk to your doctor before taking L-arginine.
Do not take L-arginine if you are allergic to the ingredients of the supplement.
L-arginine has only been proven to be effective for some of its uses, so you may want to research how well L-arginine is known to treat your condition before you take it. As a dietary supplement, L-arginine is not regulated as well as prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Be careful to purchase it from a trustworthy company and do not assume that it is safe or effective just because it is sold in the United States.
Because medical studies have not yet proven the safety in using L-arginine while pregnant or nursing, it is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.