How L – Arginine benefits to your health?

 

L-Arginine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in many foods. You should know how L – arginine benefits to your health. It plays an important role in the building of protein, which helps the body repair and grow muscle. It also helps in the formation of nitric oxide, which helps to open blood vessels. L-arginine also stimulates the body to produce insulin and growth hormone, as well as other chemicals. It is often used for circulatory purposes and is needed for the formation of proteins.

This article reviews how L – arginine benefits to your health, its side-effects and applications of L- arginine supplements.

 

How L – arginine benefits to your health

What is L-arginine?

L-arginine is an amino acid that is essential or optional to proteins. Unlike other amino acids, essential amino acids can’t be made by the body. Instead, they need to be supplied through food.

It is classified as a semi-essential amino acid or a conditionally essential amino acid, meaning it only becomes necessary under certain conditions and circumstances (e.g., pregnancy, early infancy, severe illness, or trauma). It is needed to synthesize nitric oxide (a signaling molecule) which is essential for many body functions and processes (e.g. blood flow regulation, mitochondria functioning, cellular communication, etc.). It also acts as a precursor for other amino acids (glutamate, proline and creatine) which are needed for the growth and maintenance of the immune system.

L-arginine is naturally present in foods high in protein

 

What foods contain L-arginine?

L-arginine is naturally present in foods high in protein, such as:

• Fish (salmon, haddock).
• Meat (turkey, chicken, and red meat).
• Legumes (such as chickpeas and soybeans).
• Whole grains (oats, brown rice).
• Nuts and seeds (pumpkin seeds, cashews).
• Dairy goods (cheese, yogurt, and milk).

It has been estimated that 4-6 grams of L-arginine are consumed through food each day.

 

Overview

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. L-arginine also stimulates the release of growth hormone, insulin, and other substances in the body. It can be made in a lab and used in supplements.

People use L-arginine for chest pain and various blow flow issues, erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure during pregnancy, and a serious disease in premature infants called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). It's also used for many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.

How L-arginine benefits to your health?

1. Nutrition Therapy:

L-arginine has been studied to help reduce the time it takes for wounds to heal after surgery, and to help cancer patients build lean body mass when used in combination with omega-3 fatty acids and nucleotides.

2. Blood pressure regulation:

L-arginine contains nitric oxide, which helps regulate blood pressure and relax the blood vessels. Its supplements may help those with high blood pressure to lower their systolic blood pressure (the highest number in the blood) and their diastolic (lowest) blood pressure (the lowest number in the blood).

3. Athletic performance enhancement:

L-arginine may increase exercise performance by increasing nitric oxide levels in your body, which helps improve blood flow and a constant flow of oxygen to your muscles, according to several studies. In one small study, researchers found that athletes who took supplements had significantly higher nitric oxide levels and were able to exercise for longer.

4. Blood sugar regulation:

L-arginine has not been extensively studied, but there is some evidence that it may improve insulin sensitivity in people with diabetes and improve glucose metabolism. Since nitric oxide must be made, L-arginine is needed. Nitric oxide is an essential part of how cells function and how your body responds to the hormone insulin. Insulin carries blood sugar from the blood into your cells and uses it for energy. Boosting nitric oxide availability may improve the performance of insulin-secreting cells and help your body better use blood sugar.

L-arginine help your body better use blood sugar

5. Improving blood flow:

L-arginine has been shown to improve blood vessel health and improve blood flow in certain groups of people. However, there is a lot of mixed evidence, and many people think that it is useless. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a narrowing of the blood vessels that reduces the flow of blood to the limbs. For patients with PAD, oral or intravenous L-arginine can increase blood flow up to 8 weeks. However, it does not help increase walking distance or speed for up to 6 months.

6. Erectile dysfunction:

L-arginine supplements have been studied in men with ED. It is thought that L-arginine increases nitric oxide, which relaxes the muscles surrounding the blood vessels supplying the penis. This causes the penis's blood vessels to widen and blood flow to increase, which may help maintain an erection.

7. Management of critical illness:

L-arginine is an amino acid that your body needs when your immune system is weak due to infection or trauma. When your body’s physiological need for L-arginine increases dramatically, your body can’t provide enough L-arginine. Therefore, you need to supplement your body with L-arginine from external sources. When your body needs too much L-arginine during or after surgery or illness, it can lead to serious side effects, such as decreased blood flow and a weakened immune system. Adding L-arginine to your diet may help reduce the negative consequences of trauma or severe illness.

8. Treating pregnancy complications:

Pregnancy complications that may benefit from L-arginine include preeclampsia (high blood pressure) and gestational hypertension (high blood pressure during pregnancy). Pre-eclampsia occurs when the blood pressure and urine protein levels are too high for the baby to survive. When given intravenously, it can reduce blood pressure in pregnant women who are at risk for preeclampsia. However, only medical professionals are allowed to administer these IV products. It is not known if L-arginine can be ingested.

9. Other potential benefits:

• Easing inflammation of the digestive tract in premature infants - According to a study, L-arginine may aid in the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis (a serious condition that affects premature infants).
• Treating and preventing preeclampsia – Many studies have shown that treatment with L-arginine during pregnancy may help prevent and treat this condition.
• Correcting hereditary disorders of urea synthesis - The urea cycle in the body uses arginine to create urea, a substance found in urine.
• Treating peripheral arterial disease - People who have peripheral arterial disease may benefit from L-arginine because of its effects on widening blood vessels.
• Chest pain (angina) - L-arginine supplementation appears to lessen angina symptoms, increase exercise tolerance, and enhance quality of life.
• High blood pressure during pregnancy - Taking L-arginine intravenously during pregnancy can lower blood pressure.

L-arginine may also help with a range of other health issues. However, further research is needed to determine if it can help those with respiratory illnesses breathe more easily, heal wounds faster, and reduce anxiety more effectively. Therefore, it is important to consult with your doctor before taking any dietary supplements.

 

What are possible side effects?

It is safe and well-tolerated when used as a supplement for at least one year. However, large doses can cause bloating, nausea and diarrhea, as well as stomach pain. People with Asthma, Cirrhosis, Kidney Disease, Low Blood Pressure, and an Inherited Deficiency (Guanidinoacetate Methyltransferase Deficiency) Affects the Metabolism of this Amino Acid and may have adverse effects, although the safety profile is supported by scientific evidence. Higher doses may worsen heartburn or ulcers or digestive upset caused by medication because it increases stomach acid. L-Arginine may worsen symptoms in patients with Herpes.

L-arginine has been proven to be safe in many groups of people, including elderly people and pregnant women. L-arginine are sometimes given to children in clinical settings and are considered safe when prescribed in proper doses. However, children should always be given arginine supplements under the supervision of their doctor.

 

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

Chest pain (angina). Taking L-arginine by mouth seems to decrease symptoms and improve exercise tolerance and quality of life in people with angina. But it doesn't seem to help widen blood vessels that are narrowed in angina.

Erectile dysfunction (ED). Taking 2.5-5 grams of L-arginine by mouth daily seems to improve sexual function in people with ED. Taking L-arginine with medications such as sildenafil and tadalafil might work better than taking either L-arginine or the medication alone.

High blood pressure. 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.

A serious intestinal disease in premature infants (necrotizing enterocolitis or NEC). Adding L-arginine to formula seems to reduce the risk for this condition in premature infants.

Narrowing of blood vessels that causes poor blood flow to the limbs (peripheral arterial disease). Taking L-arginine by mouth or by IV for up to 8 weeks increases blood flow in people with this condition. But using it for up to 6 months does not help to improve walking speed or distance. IV products can only be given by a healthcare provider.

A pregnancy complication marked by high blood pressure and protein in the urine (pre-eclampsia). Taking L-arginine by IV can reduce blood pressure in pregnant people with pre-eclampsia. L-arginine might also reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia in people who are at high risk for this condition. IV products can only be given by a healthcare provider. It's not clear if taking L-arginine by mouth helps.

High blood pressure during pregnancy. Taking L-arginine by IV can reduce blood pressure in pregnancy. It's unclear if taking L-arginine by mouth lowers blood pressure during pregnancy, but it might decrease the need to take blood pressure lowering drugs. IV products can only be given by a healthcare provider.

Possibly Ineffective for

Long-term kidney disease (chronic kidney disease or CKD). Taking L-arginine by mouth or by IV doesn't improve kidney function in most people with CKD.

High cholesterol. Taking L-arginine by mouth doesn't help to lower cholesterol levels.

Heart attack. Taking L-arginine by mouth doesn't seem to help prevent a heart attack. It also doesn't seem to help treat a heart attack after it occurs. In fact, there is concern that L-arginine might be harmful for people after a recent heart attack. Do not take L-arginine if you have had a recent heart attack.

Tuberculosis. Taking L-arginine by mouth along with standard treatment for tuberculosis does not seem to help improve symptoms or clear the infection.

Wound healing. Taking L-arginine by mouth does not seem to improve wound healing.

There is interest in using L-arginine for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Dosage and Preparation:

There is no “right” dose for you. Factors such as age, gender and medical history can influence the dosage that works best for you. Some studies have looked at different doses to see how they affect different conditions. For example, a 2–6 g dose given 3 times a day for up to 1 month was found to help with chest pain. Another study found that a 5 g daily dose was effective in treating erectile dysfunction, and a 4–24 g daily dose was used in high blood pressure studies for up to 24 weeks. Talk to your health care provider for specific guidance.

 

Conclusion:

L-arginine is an amino acid that your body needs in order to function. You can get it from your diet by eating some animal and plant-based protein. You can also get it as a supplement by eating fish, red meats, poultry, soya, grains, beans, dairy products, and more. Benefits of L-arginine supplements include: Improve heart health, lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar, Improve athletic performance, Oral and topically administered supplements are available. However, some supplements may cause gastrointestinal problems and may interact with drugs. Therefore, it is recommended that you consult a doctor before taking any supplements. Consuming a healthy diet is the best way to get natural.

 

FAQ:

Q1. What are natural ways to get enough L-arginine?

Answer: The best sources of natural L-arginine are foods rich in protein. For some people, animal proteins such as red meat, chicken and turkey breast meat, pork loin and dairy products are their main sources. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, you may want to consider changing your diet to include more protein-rich foods. Your doctor or dietitian may be able to recommend a meal plan to help you increase your natural intake of L-arginine before taking supplements.

Q2. What are interaction with other medicines?

Answer: L-arginine may interact with medications used for erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure, or diabetes, among other medications. Do not take it if you are diabetic or have heart disease. As with many other supplements, L-arginine has not been studied for safety in pregnant, nursing women, young, old women, those with medical conditions, or those taking medication.

Q3. What are the benefits of taking L-arginine supplements?

Answer: L-arginine supplements are often used because they can increase nitric oxide production, which can improve blood flow. This improved blood flow can help people with conditions such as erectile dysfunction by promoting better circulation. L-arginine is also thought to promote cardiovascular health by relaxing blood vessels and lowering blood pressure. Some athletes also take supplements because they believe they improve exercise performance by increasing the supply of nutrients and oxygen to muscles. However, it’s important to always talk to a healthcare professional before adding any supplements to your routine.

Q4. Does L-arginine help with erectile dysfunction?

Answer: As nitric oxide is a chemical that relaxes blood vessels, it is thought to play a role in improving erectile function. Nitric oxide can improve blood flow to your genitals, which is essential for achieving and sustaining an erection. Some studies suggest that supplementing with L-arginine may help people with mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction (MTFD). However, it’s important to remember that this effect can vary from person to person, so it’s best to consult with your healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for your ED.

Q5. How does L-arginine improve exercise performance?

Answer: L-arginine helps improve exercise performance by increasing nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide is a chemical that helps dilate your blood vessels. When your blood vessels are dilated, your blood flow increases. As your blood vessels dilate, your muscles get more oxygen and nutrients. This can help increase your exercise tolerance and reduce fatigue. While there are some studies that suggest that exercise performance can be improved by taking certain supplements, individual reactions may vary. Therefore, it is best to consult with a healthcare professional before adding L-arginine to your fitness routine.

Q6. Can L-arginine promote heart health?

Answer: L-arginine can help improve heart health by increasing nitric oxide production, which relaxes and dilates blood vessels, increasing blood flow. Improved blood circulation may help lower blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular function. While there are some studies that suggest benefits, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the proper use and potential risks for your individual heart health.

Reference used:

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientreview-875-l-arginine?drugid=875&drugname=L-ARGININE

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/l-arginine

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/22536-l-arginine

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/l-arginine#what-it-is

https://www.verywellhealth.com/using-l-arginine-for-health-88322

https://examine.com/supplements/arginine/