This
amino acid
supports protein synthesis as it is involved in the transport and storage of
nitrogen. Among many functions, this amino acid is used by the body to produce creatine. Some products have 500 or 1000 mg per pill.
L-Arginine is an amino acid involved in numerous
areas of human biochemistry, including ammonia detoxification, hormone
secretion, and the immune system. It is also well known as a precursor to
nitric oxide, a key component of endothelial-derived relaxing factor. The
endothelium is the lining inside blood vessels and supplements help
make more nitric oxide. Therefore, by making more nitric oxide, it helps to relax and
dilate blood vessels. NO is a messenger molecule involved in a variety of endothelium-dependent
effects in the cardiovascular system. Because of arginine's nitric
oxide-stimulating effects, there have been claims that this amino acid is useful in hypertension, preeclampsia, intermittent claudication, and erectile dysfunction.
It has been studied for its role in athletic performance,
burns and trauma, diabetes and syndrome X, male and female infertility, and
interstitial cystitis.
Even though this supplement has been
claimed to be useful for
some of the conditions listed above, it would be premature to be overly excited.
Much research needs to be done before we
can be more confident about the health benefits of arginine supplements. However,
thus far, it
appears to play a role in conditions involving blood vessel dilation.
Whether the dilation is short lived or continues for an adequate period is still
being evaluated.
Buy L Arginine supplement 750 mg
per pill, 60 Capsules, it is also sold as a powder that can be scooped with a
teaspoon
This
amino acid
supports protein synthesis as it is involved in the transport and storage of
nitrogen. Among many functions, this amino acid is used by the body to produce creatine. Some products have 500 or 1000 mg per pill.
Usage or dosage: Take 1 to 6 arginine supplement capsules daily, preferably on an empty stomach, or as directed by your qualified health consultant. As with most nutrients, we recommend taking breaks from use. In the case of the amino acid supplement, it appears to be safe to take for extended periods as long as the dose is less than 3 grams a day. If your dose is 1 to 5 g, the capsules work. If you plan to take more than 5 grams, then the powder is more efficient. The dosage depends on the condition being treated. In some cases, an amount more than 5 grams a day may be required.
Serving size 1 capsule:
L Arginine hcl - 750 mg per capsule
Buy Arginine capsules and powder
Erectile dysfunction
studies, benefit for sexual enhancement
What makes it
interesting is that it can
be metabolized to nitric oxide (NO). NO is the most powerful chemical known to dilate and
engorge blood vessels in the penis and clitoris. What does the research say
about the role of arginine in erectile dysfunction?
Low dose of l arginine amino acid supplement, at 500 mg three times a day,
was not found to be
effective for erectile dysfunction. There are more effective erectile dysfunction herbs.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 50 men with erectile
dysfunction tested l arginine at a dose of 5 grams per day for six weeks. About
a third of the participants showed improvement, and that
improvement was greater than the 10% improvement seen in the placebo group.
The amino acid L arginine has been studied in combination with other nutrients as a treatment for sexual dysfunction in women. A small trial found some improvement with a combination treatment providing a daily dose of 2,500 mg of l arginine, as well as ginseng, ginkgo, and damiana. In a four-week, double-blind study, 77 women with decreased libido were given either the combination product or a placebo. Those taking the arginine blend showed statistically greater improvement, reporting increased sexual desire in 71% of participants given the treatment. In the placebo group, 42% reported an increased libido. Other improvements included relative satisfaction with sex life and heightened clitoral sensation. No significant side effects were seen in either group. However, we don't know if the arginine had anything to do with the results.
A study done at the University of Texas at Austin examined l arginine, combined with yohimbine, on sexual arousal in postmenopausal women. Twenty-four women participated in three sessions in which sexual responses to erotic stimuli were measured following treatment with either arginine glutamate (6 grams) plus yohimbine (6 mg), yohimbine alone (6 mg), or a placebo. Sexual responses were measured at one hour after taking the supplements. Compared to placebo, the combined oral administration substantially increased vaginal pulse amplitude responses to the erotic film. It is well known that yohimbine, alone, has a significant effect on sexuality and whether arginine was a factor is not known.
There are many potent herbs that have sexual enhancement properties. Arginine is not on our top ten list of aphrodisiac supplements. We prefer the sex enhancing herbs found in Passion Rx, such as maca, catuaba, muira puama, eurycoma, epimedium, and tribulus, which are much more potent and effective.
Do arginine amino acid supplements improve erection?
We are not impressed in terms of its benefits for erection problems.
Does supplementation enhance the benefit of
Viagra or Cialis or the one PD5 inhibitor Levitra?
Supplementation may
theoretically improve the benefit of impotence drugs but this is speculative on
our part and we don't have any clinical experience to base it on.
Mechanism of action, how it works
The most likely explanation for the mild effectiveness of l arginine amino acid is its
conversion into nitric oxide which is
converted into cGMP, which becomes the secondary messenger that causes smooth
muscle relaxation, resulting in blood vessel dilation, and more blood going into the genital organs, leading to erections. However, nitric oxide is quickly metabolized and any
potential l arginine benefit could be short lived.
Benefits
There is some supporting evidence that l arginine offers benefits in reducing
angina and lowering blood pressure. Research indicates supplementation reduces pulmonary resistance and blood pressure.
Supplementation improves renal function in patients with chronic heart
failure.
Polish researchers have found that arginine supplements increases exercise
tolerance in stable coronary artery disease patients. Oral intake improves endothelial function in
older healthy individuals. However, we are not convinced yet that it is a
worthwhile supplement for erectile function or sexual enhancement, at least when
used in
low dosages. There are many herbs that work better and quicker for this purpose.
Blood pressure
We don't think l arginine stays in the bloodstream
long enough to have a long term influence on blood pressure.
Cancer
L-arginine reduces cell proliferation and ornithine decarboxylase activity in
patients with colorectal adenoma and adenocarcinoma.
Clinical Cancer Res. 2007.
We selected 60 patients
with colorectal cancer and 60 patients with colorectal adenoma (CRA) and divided
them into four groups of 30 patients each. We gave 30 g (120 mL) of L-arginine
everyday for 3 days to the test groups, whereas 5%
glucose in the control groups. The expression of the proliferating cell nuclear
antigen, survivin, and nitric oxide synthase was examined immunohistochemically,
and ornithine decarboxylase activity was examined. Our results show that L-arginine can restrain
crypt cell hyperproliferation and the expression of survivin, an inhibitor of
apoptosis protein.
Gestational hypertension
L-arginine supplementation in patients with gestational hypertension: a pilot
study.
Hypertension Pregnancy. 2007.
Patients with gestational hypertension and proteinuria and those without
proteinuria were randomized in a double-blind design to receive either L
arginine (20 grams / 500 mL intravenously daily, for 5 days followed by 4 grams
/day orally for 2 weeks) or placebo. Compared with baseline, both systolic and
diastolic blood pressure 6 days after treatment were significantly reduced in
the treatment group but not in the placebo group.
Heart attack
I came across a web site where it says not to take l arginine supplements
following a heart attack (does that apply to recent and old one?) and that six
people had died during an arginine study. I am 66 and have had a heart attack in
1989 and don’t take any drugs for it. I wanted to try an arginine supplement
because of the benefits I have read about, especially erectile dysfunction, and
better circulation, but am now afraid to do so.
We have listed the arginine heart attack study below. It would seem
prudent to not use it the first few months after a heart attack. However, at
least one or two additional studies are needed to determine whether the results
of this study regarding the influence of l arginine supplements and heart attack
were coincidence or whether it does have a negative impact on heart health in
those who have had a recent heart attack.
L-arginine therapy in acute myocardial infarction:
the Vascular Interaction With Age in Myocardial Infarction (VINTAGE MI)
randomized clinical trial.
JAMA. 2006.
A total of 153 patients following a first ST-segment elevation
myocardial infarction were enrolled; 77 patients were 60 years or older.
Patients were randomly assigned to receive L-arginine (goal dose of 3 g 3 times
a day) or matching placebo for 6 months. Baseline characteristics, vascular
stiffness measurements, and left ventricular function were similar between
participants randomized to receive placebo or L-arginine. There was no
significant change from baseline to 6 months in the vascular stiffness
measurements or left ventricular ejection fraction in either of the 2 groups,
including those 60 years or older and the entire study group. However, 6
participants (8%) in the L-arginine group died during the 6-month study period
vs none in the placebo group. Because of the safety concerns, the data and
safety monitoring committee closed enrollment. L-arginine, when added to
standard postinfarction therapies, does not improve vascular stiffness
measurements or ejection fraction and may be associated with higher
postinfarction mortality.
Heart failure and heart disease
L-arginine supplements may improve the
physical fitness of heart failure patients by enhancing their endurance to
exercise. Dr. Stephane Doutreleau and colleagues from Institut de Physiologie,
Strasbourg, France, examined the potential benefits of 6 weeks of such
supplements on endurance exercise in 10 patients with chronic stable heart
failure. Patients who took the amino acid
experienced a significant decrease in their average heart rate throughout
exercise and the recovery period. There were no significant changes in blood
pressure and respiratory parameters. The current study supports a prior study in
which a group of heart failure patients were shown to benefit from a combination
of exercise and L-arginine supplements. In that study, the combination appeared
to help correct the abnormal functioning of blood vessels seen in chronic heart
failure. International Journal of Sports Medicine 2006.
Oral L-arginine supplementation improves endothelial
function and ameliorates insulin sensitivity and inflammation in cardiopathic
nondiabetic patients after an aortocoronary bypass.
Metabolism. 2009.
We evaluated the effects of
long-term oral L-arginine treatment on endothelial dysfunction, inflammation,
adipokine levels, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity in nondiabetic
patients with stable cardiovascular disease.
Sixty-four patients with cardiovascular disease previously submitted to an aortocoronary bypass and not known for type 2 diabetes mellitus had an oral
glucose load to define their glucose tolerance. Thirty-two patients with
nondiabetic response were eligible to receive, in a double-blind randomized
parallel order, L-arginine (6.4 g/d) or placebo for 6 months. An evaluation of
insulin sensitivity index during the oral glucose load, markers of systemic
nitric oxide bioavailability and inflammation, and blood flow was performed
before and at the end of the treatment in both groups. Compared with placebo, L-arginine
decreased asymmetric dimethylarginine levels, indices of endothelial
dysfunction, and increased cyclic guanosine monophosphate, L-arginine to
asymmetric dimethylarginine ratio, and reactive hyperemia. Finally, L-arginine
increased insulin sensitivity index and adiponectin and decreased interleukin-6
and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels. In conclusion, insulin
resistance, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation are important
cardiovascular risk factors in coronary artery disease patients; and L-arginine
seems to have anti-inflammatory and metabolic advantages in these patients.
Herpes simplex
There are some mentions on certain web sites that the use of l arginine causes herpes outbreaks but we don't have any clinical evidence to
confirm this claim.
Muscle strength in women
The effect of L-arginine administration on muscle force and power in
postmenopausal women.
Clin Physiology Funct Imaging. 2008.
Therefore, 11 females took
daily 18 g L-arginine hydrochloride (equivalent of 14 g L-arginine) over 6
months) and were compared to a placebo group. The women were analysed for
biomechanical parameters (MIGF, maximal isometric grip force; PJF, peak jump
force; PJP, peak jump power) and for the cross-sectional muscle area (MA) and
fat area (FA) at forearm and leg (calf) measured by peripheral quantitative
computed tomography. Supplemented females had a significant increase
of PJF/kg in comparison with the control group. PJP/kg, MIGF, MA and FA were not
significantly influenced by the administration. In conclusion, the
administration of L-arginine increased maximal force in mechanographic analyses
and may prevent a decline of muscle force in postmenopausal women.
Comment: Creatine supplements are probably more effective than
arginine supplements for this purpose.
Peripheral artery disease
L-arginine supplementation in peripheral arterial disease: no benefit and
possible harm.
Circulation. 2007.
L-arginine is the precursor of endothelium-derived nitric oxide, an endogenous
vasodilator. L-arginine supplements improve vascular reactivity and functional
capacity in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in small, short-term studies. We
aimed to determine the effects of long-term administration on
vascular reactivity and functional capacity in patients with PAD. The Nitric
Oxide in Peripheral Arterial Insufficiency (NO-PAIN) study was a randomized
clinical trial of oral L-arginine (3 grams a day) versus placebo for 6 months in
133 subjects with intermittent claudication due to PAD in a single-center
setting. In patients with peripheral artery disease, long-term administration does not increase nitric oxide synthesis or improve vascular
reactivity.
History
L arginine was first isolated in 1886. In 1932, it was found to be
required for the generation of urea, which is necessary for the removal of toxic
ammonia from the body. In 1939 it was also shown to be required
for the synthesis of creatine, the muscle builder.
Arginine deficiency
Symptoms of arginine deficiency include poor wound healing, hair loss,
skin rash, constipation, and fatty liver. Arginine is considered a
semi-essential amino acid, because although it is normally synthesized in
sufficient amounts by the body, supplementation is sometimes required
(for example, due to inborn errors of urea synthesis, protein malnutrition,
excessive lysine intake, burns, peritoneal dialysis, and rapid growth).
L Arginine side effects, danger, safety concerns, overdose
and toxicity
We are not aware of significant l arginine side effects.
It is possible that one adverse effect of high dosage use is nausea. Other
possible l arginine side effects on very high dosages are digestive
disturbances. We have taken more than 10 grams at one time at least on three
different occasions without any significant side effects. But, it is not clear
whether it has side effects if used in high dosages
daily for
many months or years. It is unlikely that dosages less
than 3 grams a day would lead to any significant side effects.
Q. I would like to call your attention to a problem I
had recently with taking 6 grams per day over several months, I came down with rosacea, which cleared up when I stopped taking it and with standard treatment
by a dermatologist. I have read stories by body builders of their faces getting
"rough" when taking large doses of l arginine and wonder if they have
undiagnosed rosacea. Keep up the good work.
A. Thanks, this is the first we have heard of any potential reaction.
Review and Nitric oxide
Arginine is a precursor of nitric oxide, which causes blood vessel
relaxation. Although there is some evidence that suggests that
supplements may be
useful in the treatment of medical conditions that are improved by vasodilation,
such as angina, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction,
heart failure, intermittent claudication / peripheral vascular disease, and
vascular headache, more proof is needed. The appropriate dosage and long term
safety is not clear at this time. Arginine also stimulates protein synthesis and
has been studied for wound healing, bodybuilding, enhancement of sperm
production (spermatogenesis), and prevention of wasting in people with critical
illness.
Metabolism by the kidneys
The kidney plays a major role in arginine synthesis, creatine synthesis, and arginine reabsorption. Arginine is
made in the kidney from citrulline produced by the intestine. The renal enzymes
of arginine synthesis, argininosuccinate synthetase and argininosuccinate lyase,
occur in the cells of the proximal tubule. The rate of arginine synthesis
depends on citrulline delivery and does not appear to be regulated by dietary
arginine availability. Renal synthesis in humans produces approximately
2 grams per day, which may be compared to an intake, from a Western diet, of
approximately 4 to 5 grams a day. Spontaneous, nonenzymatic breakdown of creatine and
creatine phosphate to creatinine causes the excretion of 1 to 2 g creatinine a
day
and requires the replacement of an equivalent amount of creatine from the diet
and by endogenous synthesis. The first enzyme of creatine biosynthesis, L-arginine:glycine
amidinotransferase, occurs in the kidney and produces guanidinoacetate, which is
released into the renal vein. The renal output of guanidinoacetate, however, is
rather low, and we propose that the entire pathway of creatine synthesis may
also occur in the liver. Renal arginine reabsorption salvages approximately 3 grams
of arginine per day. At the apical membrane of proximal tubular cells, arginine shares a
transporter with lysine, ornithine, and cystine. Defects in this heteromeric
transporter cause cystinuria, which is also characterized by urinary loss of
arginine, lysine, and ornithine.
Glutamine and arginine amino
acids
A metabolic relation exists between glutamine and arginine, two amino
acids with properties that enhance the recovery of seriously ill patients. It is
possible that
glutamine exerts part of its beneficial effects by enhancing the
availability of arginine. Glutamine is an important precursor for the synthesis
of arginine in humans.
Types of arginine supplements
available over the counter
L-Arginine Alpha Keto Glutarate
is a form promoted to enhance nitric oxide
production.
N-Hydroxy-Arginine is a form of arginine
amino acid
supplement. Arginine plays a role in the urea cycle, helping to rid the body of
excess ammonia.
Arginine ethyl ester is a new form and as of 2019 we are not aware
of human studies with arginine ethyl ester supplements.
Arginine aspartate
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