Arginine

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• QWhat are the side effects of L-arginine?

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  A 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.

• QWhat is a safe amount of L-Arginine to take?

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  A Dr. Karen L. Gorton, PhD, MS, RN , Emergency Room Nursing, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  There are only limited studies that evaluate the safe amount of L-Arginine to take. Prior to taking this supplement, you should consult with your primary care provider to determine: IF this supplement is safe for you; and WHAT your dose should be. 
• QHow does L-arginine work?

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  A 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.

• QWhat is the dosage of L-arginine to treat erectile dysfunction?

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  A Bryce Wylde , Alternative & Complementary Medicine, answered

  The amino acid l-arginine provides great cardiovascular support—most men suffering from erectile dysfunction have cardiovascular problems too. But the therapeutic ranges of l-arginine required to improve erectile dysfunction have the potential to increase nitric oxide to harmful levels. Nitric oxide is produced in the inner lining of the blood vessels and causes the vessels to relax, allowing more blood to flow to vital body tissues and organs. But too much active nitric oxide, released too quickly, causes free radical accumulation.
  
  So supplemental l-arginine needs to be slowly absorbed and metabolized by the system. Recently some excellent formulas have come onto the market that release the l-arginine into the system over a twelve-hour period. Ask your healthcare provider about these formulas.

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• QWhat are the health benefits of arginine?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  

  Watch this video to learn more from Dr. Mehmet Oz about L-Arginine.
  
  

  

  Find out more about this DVD:

  What Are the Health Benefits of L-Arginine?
  Buy DVD

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• QDoes arginine promote secretion of growth hormone?

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  A Discovery Health answered

  L-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.

• QCan arginine help treat cardiovascular diseases?

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  A Dr. Michael T. Murray, ND , Naturopathic Medicine, answered

  Arginine 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.

• QWhat medications can interact with arginine supplements?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  L-arginine can interact with other medications, especially the following:
  
  - anticoagulants and anti-platelet drugs such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, or clopidogrel (Plavix)
  - blood pressure medications
  - blood sugar medications
  - diuretics like spironolactone (Aldactone)
  - esomeprazole (Nexium)
  - estrogens
  - nitrates
  - pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), and naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn)
  - PDE5 inhibitors such as Sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra), Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn) and Tadalafil (Adcirca, Cialis)
  - progestins
  - ranitidine (Zantac)
  
  Also, use caution in combining L-arginine with dietary supplements such as: lysine, Ginkgo biloba, garlic, saw palmetto, potassium, and any supplements that can raise blood sugar levels or increase the risk of bleeding. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications and supplements you take before taking L-arginine.
• QWhat is arginine?

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  A Dr. Michael T. Murray, ND , Naturopathic Medicine, answered

  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.

• QWill the amino acid L-arginine turn me into the Incredible Hulk?

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  A 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.