what are l arginine benefits

What are the dangers of L arginine?

• Confusion
• deep or fast breathing with dizziness
• drowsiness
• muscle tremors
• numbness of the feet, hands, and around the mouth
• rapid, deep breathing
• restlessness
• stomach cramps

What is the best time to take L-arginine?

Arginine works best when taken on a empty stomach. To work around post-workout meals, have your arginine ready to take as soon as you’re done working out. Before bed, just take arginine as the last thing you do before bed. In the morning, have your arginine ready to be supplemented.

When to take L-arginine?

L-arginine is most commonly used for recovery after surgery, a pregnancy complication marked by high blood pressure and protein in the urine (pre- eclampsia ), and heart and blood vessel conditions, such as chest pain ( angina) and high blood pressure.

Is it safe to take L-arginine everyday?

Overall, research has shown that L-arginine is safe and generally well tolerated when taken in supplement form, even when taken daily over long periods of 1 year or more (14).

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What is L-arginine used for?

L-arginine is an amino acid naturally found in red meat, poultry, fish, and dairy. It is necessary for making proteins and is commonly used for circulation. L-arginine is converted in the body into a chemical called nitric oxide. Nitric oxide causes blood vessels to open wider for improved blood flow.

Does L-arginine get you hard?

A study in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy found that L-arginine and Pycnogenol supplements helped a significant number of men ages 25 to 45 with ED achieve normal erections. The treatment also didn't cause side effects that occur with ED medication.

Is L-arginine good to take everyday?

Although higher doses are often used in research and clinical settings, it's recommended that daily dosing of L-arginine be kept under 9 grams per day to avoid potential gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, diarrhea, and bloating.

How long does it take L-arginine to start working?

Depending on your reason for taking l-arginine and which type of amino acid you need, it takes a minimum of 24-hours for the l-arginine to absorb into your body. In some cases, to see the full effects of regular l-arginine treatment, it could take up to three months.

Is arginine as good as Viagra?

Side effects were more or less the same between the two groups except for gastritis which was more common on combination group. Conclusion: Adding l-arginine to sildenafil demonstrated more efficacy than sildenafil alone for treatment of erectile dysfunction patients.

Does L-arginine make you last longer in bed?

Some study results on L-arginine for ED have been promising, like one 2019 study where researchers found that dosages between 1500–5000 milligrams offered significant improvements in ED over placebo, with improved self-reported scores of sexual satisfaction and erectile function submitted by the participants.

Is L-arginine good for belly fat?

It has been shown to improve metabolism, improve cardiovascular health, and reduce levels of belly fat. This means that you could use it to achieve short-term results as long as you combine the supplement with a workout program and consult your doctor before using it.

Does L-arginine make you bigger?

No scientific evidence shows that L arginine increases girth of the penis. It is a common claim made by companies who sell supplements containing L arginine. In many male sexual health supplements, ingredients like L arginine are overhyped as the “wonder drug” that increases penis girth or length.

Who should not take L-arginine?

L-arginine supplements can worsen allergies and asthma. Use with caution. Don't take L-arginine supplements if you've had cold sores or genital herpes. Too much L-arginine in your system can activate the virus that causes those conditions.

What are the side effects of L-arginine?

Possible side effects include abdominal pain and bloating, diarrhea, and gout. It may also cause a worsening of breathing in people with asthma. Arginine may interact with certain medications that lower blood pressure.

Is it good to take L-arginine before bed?

Some sources say L-arginine helps insomnia because of its effect on the heart. If the heart is functioning properly, we are able to breathe deeply and sleep better. Some people combine arginine and ornithine before bed for HGH release while they sleep.

Can you take zinc and L-arginine together?

No interactions were found between L-Arginine and Zinc.

How does L-arginine help?

In addition to the potential benefits listed above, some research suggests that L-arginine supplements may be helpful when used in the following ways: 1 Treatment of erectile dysfunction. A 2019 review of 10 studies found that taking arginine supplements in doses ranging from 1.5–5 grams daily significantly improved erectile dysfunction, compared with a placebo or no treatment ( 15 ). 2 Improving blood flow. Some evidence suggests L-arginine supplements may improve blood vessel function and blood flow in specific populations. However, study results are conflicting, and many have found that L-arginine has no benefit ( 16, 17, 18, 19 ). 3 Treating and preventing preeclampsia. Studies have demonstrated that treatment with L-arginine during pregnancy may help prevent and treat preeclampsia, a dangerous condition characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine ( 20, 21 ).

Why is arginine important?

Arginine becomes essential when your body is compromised due to conditions like infection and trauma, and your arginine needs significantly increase due to physiologic demands. Under these circumstances, your body can no longer fulfill your arginine needs, which must be met through external sources.

What is the role of arginine in the immune system?

Arginine is necessary for the development of T-cells, which are white blood cells that play central roles in immune response ( 2. Trusted Source.

How much L-arginine is in a daily diet?

The average daily intake of L-arginine from foods is reported to be 4–6 grams ( 4. ). ). Additionally, L-arginine can be obtained by taking supplements. L-arginine supplements are widely available and can be found in powder, liquid, capsule, and tablet form at grocery stores, supplement stores, and online.

What is the purpose of trusted source?

Trusted Source. ). It’s necessary for the production of nitric oxide, a signaling molecule that’s needed for a variety of bodily processes and functions, including blood flow regulation, mitochondrial function, and cellular communication ( 1. Trusted Source.

What is L-arginine used for?

They’re also used in the clinical setting to treat critically ill people or those with wounds.

Why do people take L-arginine?

In addition to the potential benefits and uses above, many people take L-arginine supplements for a variety of other reasons, including reducing the risk of the common cold and boosting weight loss. Yet, many of these purported benefits aren’t backed by scientific research.

What are the benefits of L-arginine?

Research on the use of L-arginine for specific conditions shows: 1 Angina. Studies suggest that L-arginine might decrease symptoms and improve quality of life in people with a mild to severe form of this type of chest pain. 2 High blood pressure (hypertension). Some research has shown that oral L-arginine can lower blood pressure in healthy people, people with mild blood pressure elevation and diabetes, and in people with a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart (pulmonary hypertension). Infusions of L-arginine also appear to lower blood pressure in people with hypertension. 3 High blood pressure during pregnancy. Some studies show that L-arginine infusions may lower blood pressure in pregnant women who develop high blood pressure. 4 Preeclampsia. L-arginine infusions may lower blood pressure in women with this pregnancy complication. Some research shows that taking oral L-arginine might help prevent preeclampsia in pregnant women. 5 Erectile dysfunction. Taking oral L-arginine might improve sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction due to a physical cause. 6 Peripheral arterial disease (PAD). When taken orally or by infusion for a short period of time, L-arginine may improve symptoms and blood flow in people with this circulatory condition.

Is it safe to take L-arginine?

Safety and side effects. Using L-arginine orally or topically is generally considered safe. Oral use of L-arginine might cause: L-arginine isn't recommended for people who have had a recent heart attack due to concerns that the supplement might increase the risk of death.

Is L-arginine safe for erectile dysfunction?

Generally safe. L-arginine is considered to be generally safe. It might be effective at lowering blood pressure, reducing the symptoms of angina and PAD, and treating erectile dysfunction due to a physical cause. However, if you take a blood pressure drug, talk to your doctor before using L-arginine.

Can you take L-arginine topically?

As a supplement, L-arginine can be used orally and topically. It can also be administered intravenously (IV). Because L-arginine acts as a vasodilator, opening (dilating) blood vessels, many people take oral L-arginine to treat heart conditions and erectile dysfunction.

Does L-arginine lower blood pressure?

Some research has shown that oral L-arginine can lower blood pressure in healthy people, people with mild blood pressure elevation and diabetes, and in people with a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart (pulmonary hypertension). Infusions of L-arginine also appear to lower blood pressure ...

Can L-arginine cause asthma?

Airway inflammation or worsening of asthma symptoms. L-arginine isn't recommended for people who have had a recent heart attack due to concerns that the supplement might increase the risk of death. L- arginine can worsen allergies or asthma. Use the supplement with caution if you have these conditions.

Can you take arginine with spironolactone?

Don't take L- arginine with amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone, Carospir) or triamterene (Dyrenium). These medications can increase potassium levels, increasing the risk of developing a higher than normal level of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia). Sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra). Use of this erectile dysfunction medication ...

What is the best amino acid to eat?

Arginine is undoubtedly one of the most popular amino acids around today, and is an excellent adjuvant to good health. It is found abundantly in many meats and liver, making it easy to get in your diet. Watermelon is a great source of the amino acid L-citrulline, which converts efficiently into L-arginine and subsequently nitric oxide, much better than arginine does itself. For this reason, eating watermelon is one of the best ways to get your arginine in as well, via its conversion. Don’t miss out on all this super amino acid can do for you, start eating more of it today and be amazed by the dramatic improvement in your health!

Why is L-arginine important for diabetics?

Diabetics that use L-arginine are more likely to have better control over their blood glucose levels, according to the results of studies. For one, L-arginine helps the metabolism of sugar so that there is less present in the blood stream at any time. Secondly, L-arginine supplementation is also believed to improve insulin sensitivity, insulin being a hormone that promotes the uptake of glucose into cells that need it. Diabetics typically possess reduced insulin sensitivities which tend to favor glucose’s storage as fat instead of being used in cells that need them. L-arginine can also help reduce diabetic complications as a result of elevated levels.

Why is insulin important in energy production?

This in turn, decreases the likelihood of glucose being stored as fat, but instead being used for energy production. 3. Improves Performance.

What is L-arginine used for?

Improves Performance. L-arginine is one of the most popular supplements used by athletes, being regarded as an ergogenic aid. An Ergogenic aid is anything that improves performance naturally by improving strength output and also your resistance to fatigue.

What is the circulatory system?

The circulatory system consists of the heart and numerous blood vessels contained within the body, and is responsible for ensuring the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to cells that need it. Reduced supply of oxygen or nutrients to the cells that need them can result in deficits or diminished metabolic function. L-arginine is necessary for the production of the component nitric oxide, which helps blood vessels to relax and reduce the pumping pressure of the heart. Persons with lower levels of this compound are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure or heart failure due to inability of the heart to meet the demands of working cells.

What is the best supplement for anti-aging?

If anti-aging is your primary goal, you should supplement with a L-arginine supplement or consume foods rich in L-arginine prior to bed as this is when the greatest surge of growth hormone occurs. 5. Modulates Blood Pressure.

Does L-arginine help with erectile dysfunction?

Helps Treat erectile dysfunction. Men that suffer from erectile dysfunction typically have impaired blood flow to the penis or suffer from some sort of pre-existing vascular deficits. However, L-arginine can help with this thanks to its ability to stimulate nitric oxide production from within the blood vessel walls.

What is L-arginine?

Diet and Interactions. L-arginine is an amino acid that helps the body make proteins. It can be obtained naturally in the diet and is also found in dietary supplement form. Foods rich in L-arginine include plant and animal proteins, such as dairy products, meat, poultry, fish, and nuts. PeopleImages / Getty Images.

Why is L-arginine used for bodybuilding?

Some people use L-arginine to boost the immune system , improve athletic performance , shorten recovery time after surgery, and promote weight loss. L-arginine is also used for bodybuilding. There's also some evidence that L-arginine may help with interstitial cystitis and preeclampsia.

Where is Meredith Bull?

Meredith Bull, ND, is a licensed naturopathic doctor with a private practice in Los Angeles, California. L-arginine is an amino acid that helps the body make proteins. It can be obtained naturally in the diet and is also found in dietary supplement form.

Does L-arginine help with insulin?

PeopleImages / Getty Images. L-arginine also helps rid the body of ammonia (a waste product) and stimulates the release of insulin. In addition, your body uses arginine to make nitric oxide (a compound that relaxes the blood vessels). Although some studies suggest that L-arginine may benefit certain health conditions, ...

Can L-arginine cause herpes?

In addition, L-arginine may aggravate symptoms in people with herpes. L-arginine may interact with certain medications, such as blood pressure medication, diabetes medication, or drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction. If you have diabetes or heart disease, avoid taking L-arginine.

Does L-arginine help with heart problems?

By improving blood flow in the body, some proponents claim that L-arginine may help heart conditions, such as chest pain (angina), high blood pressure, leg cramping and weakness due to obstructed arteries (a condition known as intermittent claudication), and erectile dysfunction (ED).

Who is Cathy Wong?

Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process. Cathy Wong. Medically reviewed by. Medically reviewed by Meredith Bull, ND on July 14, 2020. facebook.

What causes atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis, of course, is caused by the bad guys: 1 High levels of oxidized LDL cholesterol 2 High blood pressure 3 Cigarette smoking (makes the blood thick and raises fibrinogen and homocysteine levels) 4 Elevated levels of homocysteine, LP (a), fibrinogen, and insulin

What is the best food for heart disease?

Nuts, eggs, tofu, tuna, and salmon are far better food sources. Even then, you can't get what you need from your diet. To get the 6 to 9 grams daily, you'd have to eat an enormous amount of food each day—a half-pound of tuna or 2.5 pounds of tofu. This means, if you have heart disease, you should consider taking supplements for the full benefits ...

What are the benefits of L-arginine?

The amazing benefits of L-arginine extend broadly for both cardiovascular and overall health, including: Lowering blood pressure. Reducing blood stickiness in patients with high cholesterol. Improving blood flow in those with significant coronary artery disease.

What is the best food for arginine?

That sounds good but wait—most of it comes from red meat, which is full of saturated fat, petrochemicals, radiation, and other harmful substances. Nuts, eggs, tofu, tuna, and salmon are far better food sources.

Does smoking raise blood pressure?

High blood pressure. Cigarette smoking (makes the blood thick and raises fibrinogen and homocysteine levels) Elevated levels of homocysteine, LP (a), fibrinogen, and insulin.

Can you take L-arginine if you have heart disease?

This means, if you have heart disease, you should consider taking supplements for the full benefits of L-arginine to help stop the disease’s progression and arrest its hold on you. In the elderly population, high doses of L-arginine supplements may cause digestive discomfort. If this occurs, reducing supplements and adding organic beet juice may be ...

Does L-arginine help with impotence?

And on the heart front, specifically, L-arginine seems to know where exactly it is needed most.

What is the benefit of arginine?

When ingested, arginine converts to nitric oxide, which has many health benefits that include sexual well-being and issues that involve blood flow, such as leg swelling. ...

Why is nitric oxide important for erectile dysfunction?

However, nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in a man’s ability to achieve an erection. NO helps trigger the relaxation of smooth muscles in the corpus cavernosum, which improves erectile function.

Does arginine help with leg swelling?

When ingested, arginine converts to nitric oxide, which has many health benefits that include sexual well-being and issues that involve blood flow, such as leg swelling. Arginine has promising results in helping with athletic performances, bodybuilding and growing muscles in general. These l-arginine benefits are based on clinical research, ...

Does arginine reduce glucose levels?

However, the study concludes that arginine did not reduce the risk of diabetes in those who have pre-diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance.

Does l-arginine boost nitric oxide?

Boost Nitric Oxide Levels Naturally. It’s been established that l-arginine boost nitric oxide production, which is the effect responsible for its blood and heart circulatory benefits. As mentioned in the introduction, l-arginine appears to be more effective when combined with other amino acids or antioxidants.

Does arginine help with muscle recovery?

Supplementing arginine can improve your muscle recovery and exercise tolerance. A study published in the “ Journal of Applied Physiology ” note that healthy volunteers who consumed a drink containing 6 grams of l-arginine could exercise longer and use oxygen more efficiently than those on placebo.

Does L-arginine help with fat loss?

L-arginine Can Boost Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Release. Boosting your HGH levels is effective for growing muscles and losing fat. It also helps improve your energy levels, well-being, and cognitive abilities. HGH is not a well-understood hormone and taking synthetic versions of it is somewhat controversial.

What is the amino acid that helps blood vessels relax?

In the body, the amino acid arginine changes into nitric oxide (NO). Nitric oxide is a powerful neurotransmitter that helps blood vessels relax and also improves circulation. Some evidence shows that arginine may help improve blood flow in the arteries of the heart.

Why is arginine important?

That's important because, today, more than 85 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease. Deficiencies of arginine are rare.

What foods contain arginine?

Arginine-rich foods include red meat, fish, poultry, wheat germ, grains, nuts and seeds, and dairy products.

Does arginine help with erectile dysfunction?

Since arginine may help arteries relax and improve blood flow, it may also help with erectile dysfunction.

Does arginine lower blood pressure?

Arginine may interact with certain medications that lower blood pressure. It may also interact with certain heart medications and drugs such as Viagra that treat erectile dysfunction. Pregnant women and women who are nursing should not take supplements without first talking to their doctor.

Does arginine cause gout?

In clinical trials, arginine has been used safely with minor side effects for up to three months. Possible side effects include abdominal pain and bloating, diarrhea, and gout. It may also cause a worsening of breathing in people with asthma. Arginine may interact with certain medications that lower blood pressure.

Is arginine safe for heart attacks?

However, the scientific studies are not conclusive enough for experts to make any firm recommendations. Not all studies on arginine have been positive. A 2006 study showed that arginine was not helpful -- and may have been harmful -- for treating heart attacks in combination with standard treatment.

Why is arginine added to formula?

Adding L-arginine to formula seems to prevent inflammation of the digestive tract in premature infants. A total of 6 premature infants need to receive arginine to prevent one instance of digestive tract inflammation. Narrowing of blood vessels that causes poor blood flow to the limbs (peripheral arterial disease).

How long does it take for L-arginine to work?

Research shows that taking L-arginine by mouth or intravenously (by IV) for up to 8 weeks increases blood flow in people with peripheral arterial disease. However, long-term use (up to 6 months) does not improve walking speed or distance in these same people.

What is the chemical that converts L-arginine into?

L-arginine is converted in the body into a chemical called nitric oxide. Nitric oxide causes blood vessels to open wider for improved blood flow. L-arginine also stimulates the release of growth hormone, insulin, and other substances in the body.

Where is L-arginine found?

L-arginine is found in red meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products. It can also be made in a laboratory and used as medicine.

Does L-arginine affect strength?

However, taking L-arginine does not affect strength during exercise. Breast cancer. Early research shows that taking L-arginine before chemotherapy does not improve the response rate in people with breast cancer. Heart failure and fluid build up in the body ( congestive heart failure or CHF).

Does L-arginine help with kidney failure?

Most early research suggests that taking L-arginine by mouth or intravenously (by IV) does not improve kidney function in most people with kidney failure or kidney disease. However, taking L-arginine by mouth might improve kidney function and reverse anemia in elderly people with kidney disease-associated anemia. Heart attack.

Is L-arginine good for ED?

Taking L-arginine with medications for ED might be more effective than taking the medications alone. High blood pressure. There is evidence that taking L-arginine by mouth can reduce blood pressure in healthy people, people with high blood pressure, and people with slightly high blood pressure with or without diabetes.