What is L-Arginine?
L-Arginine serves as one of the 20 amino acids in your body, though some report there are 22 amino acids. Selenocysteine and pyrrolysine are the 21st and 22nd amino acids, respectively (x). L-Arginine is an essential amino acid. It offers two vital functions: it helps repair and build muscle tissues and triggers nitric oxide into the bloodstream to widen the blood vessels (x).
Some people take L-arginine capsules because they don’t get enough from their food. An essential amino acid requires an external diet because your body lacks the resources to generate these compounds (x).
If you consume an average diet, your body will absorb 4 grams of L-arginine a day. A quarter of the world’s population reportedly absorbs 2.6 grams daily, significantly low quantities (x). Consider talking with your healthcare provider about supplementing your diet with L-arginine.
History of L-Arginine
Scientists used painstaking efforts to isolate each amino acid, which started in the 1800s. These individuals made subsequent discoveries of each component by separating and defining each property of the amino acid. That way, they define each component’s role in benefiting the body.
In 1886, two chemists, Ernst Schulze and Ernst Steiger, isolated the first L-arginine, essential amino acid (x). They used extracts from the lupine seedlings. Lupine is a flowering plant with yellow, blue or white flowers (x).
Schulze and Ernst Winterstein discovered the L-arginine complete structure in 1887. Before these two discoveries, in 1885, SG Hedin discovered the mammalian (animal) L-arginine, validating the amino acid importance. It engages in many metabolic pathways, a cycle that regenerates the human body (x). Another factor is the discovery of L-arginine as a vital component of the urea cycle, eliminating toxic ammonia from the body (x).
Such isolations and findings of L-arginine have enabled science to determine the fantastic benefits of taking L-arginine as a supplement.
L-Arginine Benefits
Studies show the effectiveness of L-arginine in improving breathing with COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization. It’s also proven to help treat high blood pressure and chest pain. Other potential benefits (x) (x):
- Improve male fertility
- Help build muscles
- Heart health support
- Reduce chest pain
- Supports central nervous system
- Promotes wound healing
- Control blood sugar levels (diabetes)
- Anti-aging
- Boost immune system
- Reduce inflammation
- Prevent and treat preeclampsia (pregnancy where there’s high blood pressure and high protein level in urine)
Based on the above list of health concerns that L-arginine helps treat, let’s look at how the supplement works. Then, understand the benefits of some of these aspects of human health to grasp its effectiveness.
Boost Sexual Health
Male sperms require L-arginine for normal function. Over 50 years ago, a study proved that cutting back this amino acid in adult male diets lowered sperm counts by nearly 90 percent. The same study showed a reduction in L-arginine in the diet also increased the sperm’s inability to move (non-motile sperm) (x).
Another study showed that when infertile men took 500 mg L-arginine daily for six to eight weeks, a noticeable increase in sperm count occurred. There was also more motility, where sperms moved more. The results were successful pregnancies (x).
For erectile function, a study showed a 31 percent improvement in sexual function in men with organic erectile dysfunction. The men took 5 g of L-arginine for six weeks but showed a decrease in nitric oxide production. Additional studies show that prolonged pharmacological doses of this amino acid improved erectile response in aging rats and male patients with erectile dysfunction (x).
Help Improve Cardiovascular Health
Studies report significant improvements in cardiovascular health after administering L-arginine. The supplement causes a rapid reduction in systolic and diastolic pressure when administered to healthy humans and those who have different forms of hypertension (high blood pressure).
Likewise, supplementing with L-arginine in animal models has attenuated blood clotting and improved blood flow. A similar study with humans shows the same positive results, even helping to avoid the gradual re-narrowing of coronary arteries after balloon angioplasty that removes a blockage (x).
Several other studies report positive results in taking L-arginine to prevent and improve cardiovascular disease. A study said that the pain lessened after two weeks of treatment, and they could walk farther while enhancing their quality of life. Others report lowering cholesterol levels, normalizing platelet aggregation (reduced blood clots) and functioning as an anti-atherosclerosis supplement (x).
Chest pains or angina pectoris is another common cardiovascular health concern where L-arginine has proven to help. A type 1 diabetic patient experiencing disabling exertional angina pectoris (chest pains or spasms induced by exercise) took 3.3 g L-arginine for seven days. Angina became better and normalized the patient’s exercise capacity (x).
Many studies support supplementing with L-arginine for cardiovascular disease, a natural solution. But, before starting any new supplement, talk to your healthcare provider first.
Promotes Wound Healing
In 1978, researchers noted L-arginine supported wound healing. Through the decades, the essential amino acid continued to affect wounds positively. It also showed enhanced collagen deposition and wound strength in humans and animals. It develops wound immune cell function by lowering the inflammatory response in the area (x).
Based on a culmination of 39 articles, research shows evidence that L-arginine capsules and nutritional supplementation promote wound healing in older adults in acute and long-term care settings. When compared with only using nutritional supplementation, evidence showed adding L-arginine significantly reduced wound size, resulting in noticeable advances in healing the wound (x).
Other studies show that L-arginine strengthens and enhances collagen deposition for better healing in artificial wounds in rats and humans (x). The L-arginine healing effect seems to extend to burn injuries based on studies performed on animal models. Thus, L-arginine is essential for severely burned patients who receive intravenously or oral nutritional treatment — Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) (x).
L-Arginine also protects and heals the body from gastric ulcers caused by various elements based on several animal models. Within 30 minutes of injecting L-arginine, researchers saw a noticeable change for the better (x).
Help Build Muscles
The L-arginine capsules have helped increase the capacity of physical labor, eliminating symptoms like fatigue (x). Athletes take the supplement for three main reasons:
- It’s part of the secretion of endogenous growth hormone, producing growth from deep tissue (x).
- Its involvement in the production of creatine.
- Its role in increasing nitric oxide.
Researchers performed an eight-week study of 3 g of oral L-arginine given to females and males. These subjects worked out on an exercise regime with weights. The results showed a significant increase in muscle mass and strength compared with another non-treated group (x).
A study on pigs proved that L-arginine increased muscle gain but did not reduce body fat. Thus, supplementing with this essential amino acid will help enhance lean-tissue growth by gaining muscle (x).
Another study focused on L-arginine enhancing muscle regeneration in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) patients. DMD means a person has weakened and atrophied muscles. Researchers could determine that L-arginine lowers inflammation and improves muscle regeneration in mice. The study suggests the amino acid increases the response of utrophin in muscles as a promising strategy for treating DMD (x).
Supports Central Nervous System
The essential amino acid L-arginine’s primary function in the body is to produce nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is crucial in the regulation of the functioning of the central nervous system. It supports positive cerebral blood flow (x).
A study of 16 elderly patients with dementia who took 1.6 g of L-arginine daily showed improved cognitive function. Another study researched the potential benefits of L-arginine in Alzheimer’s, relating the disease to blood flow in the body and other factors. The results showed that amino acid was prominent in protecting against age-related degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s (x).
Based on a clinical study, the Food and Drug Administration reported that 100 individuals who took L-arginine with an abnormal central nervous system improved. They no longer had symptoms of the abnormal central nervous system (x).
More studies also report that L-arginine triggers the production of nitric oxide in the body. The production of nitric oxide is vital for a healthy nervous system, which also helps increase the capacity of mental labor.
Anti-Aging Properties
More and more studies support the metabolic properties of L-arginine. A summary by the Journal of Advanced Research reports positive studies and personal experiences of L-arginine. The anti-aging properties of the amino acid are far greater than any nutraceutical agent or pharmaceutical ever discovered previously (x).
An independent study conducted on 21 people between 41 and 75 took 5 g of L-arginine orally at night. They completed a weekly questionnaire for four weeks, reporting on their health status before and after taking the supplement. Questions included mental, muscular, sexual and circulatory health. One person noticed a remarkable improvement. Two had mild improvement, and three had no difference. Four were worse, and five were not applicable. Interestingly, none of the subjects wanted to stop taking the supplement after the study finished (x).
Some studies have used animal models that show L-arginine’s anti-aging potential with the amino acid influencing the metabolism in the tissue and nervous system (x).
L-Arginine Food Sources
Taking L-arginine supplements is an excellent way to boost your overall consumption of the essential amino acid. However, there are plenty of high-protein food, plant and animal (x):
L-Arginine Plant-Based Food Sources:
- Legumes, like raw peanuts, lentils, chickpeas, soybeans
- Nuts, like almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts
- Seeds, like sunflower, pumpkin, sesame
- Vegetables, like leafy greens, seaweed, asparagus
- Fruits, like apples, apricots, avocados, bananas
L-Arginine Animal-Based Food Sources:
- Red meat, like beef, pork
- Poultry, like chicken, turkey
- Seafood, like fish, shellfish
- Dairy, like milk, cheese, eggs, yogurt
Where to Buy L-Arginine Base Capsules?
You can purchase L-Arginine Base Capsules at BulkSupplements.com. The company is an industry-leading manufacturer and distributor of pure dietary supplements. BulkSupplements.com is not just a consumer brand. It also supplies pure ingredients to other brands that distribute food and other supplement products. All products at BulkSupplements.com are manufactured and tested according to current and proper manufacturing practices.
Are you interested in trying L-Arginine as a dietary capsule supplement for its potential to support your muscle growth and endurance, central nervous system function, wound healing, anti-aging properties, and cardiovascular health? Contact BulkSupplements.com to place an order today.
How to Take L-Arginine Base Capsules
Besides consuming food, you can take L-arginine as a supplement. The average daily dose is between six and 30 g, split into three times a day, averaging 1000 mg three times a day. Before taking any supplement, consult a physician to confirm safety and avoid unwanted side effects.
Side Effectives of L-Arginine
Potential side effects of taking L-arginine (x):
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Bloating
- Nausea or vomiting
Life-threatening side effects:
- Heart failure
- Tightening or feeling tight in the chest or difficulty breathing
- Allergic reactions, like rash, hives or itching of the skin
Though these side effects are rare, if taken in large doses, you may experience adverse reactions.
Precautions and Warning
Before taking any supplement, talk with your physician first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. L-arginine may cause unexpected complications during pregnancy. And there is not enough evidence to verify whether the essential amino acid passes through the breastmilk to the child.
The Bottom Line
Amino acids are the fundamental units that build protein in your body. They are compounds acting as the pillars supporting the metabolic processes. They influence hormones, neurotransmitters, energy, and muscle function as a group. Your body would not function without the components.
L-arginine is an essential amino acid that offers two vital roles. These repair and build muscle tissues and trigger nitric oxide into the bloodstream to widen the blood vessels. Your body needs nitric oxide, making it dependent on L-arginine.
Studies show the efficacy of L-arginine in improving the breathing of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The essential amino acid also helps to treat high blood pressure and chest pain. Other potential benefits include anti-aging, wound healing, muscle growth and endurance, central nervous system support and improvement in male sexual health.
Several kinds of plant-based and animal-based foods are excellent sources of L-arginine. However, studies show that a regular diet usually lacks much-needed amino acids, so taking L-arginine capsules benefits most people daily.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.