What is arginine or L-arginine?
L-Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that your body requires in order to function properly. It’s typically classed as a semi-essential amino acid, implying that you can usually get enough of it from food alone. Plant and animal proteins such as cheese, meat, poultry, fish, and nuts are high in L-arginine.
The body may use protein to help build muscle and heal tissue. L-arginine is required for the synthesis of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide relaxes and expands blood vessel membranes. This is crucial for blood circulation. L-arginine also aids in the removal of ammonia (a waste product) and promotes insulin release.
Occasionally, a person’s requirement for L-arginine may be greater than the body’s capacity to produce or absorb it naturally. This is typically the case in older people or individuals with certain health issues. In these situations, people may be given artificial L-arginine in pill form, injections, or lotions if necessary. Several health conditions have shown to respond favorably to increased L-arginine intake.
Health Benefits of L-arginine Supplementation:
L-arginine is a chemical that serves as an intermediary in the formation of nitric oxide, which has two functions: it transforms into nitric oxide and aids in protein production. Nitric oxide is produced by L-arginine. Nitric oxide is a powerful neurotransmitter that helps blood vessels relax, possibly benefiting certain circulatory problems.
L-arginine has a variety of health advantages, including heart health and chest discomfort, as well as the ability to build muscles, heal wounds, and enhance male fertility.
L-arginine has been studied for its ability to lower blood pressure, treat heart disease, treat erectile dysfunction (ED), regulate blood sugar in people with diabetes, improve blood flow, heal wounds faster, promote wound healing and enhance exercise performance.
L-arginine supplements are used to increase the immune system, enhance athletic performance, speed up recovery time after surgery, and help people lose weight. L-arginine is also utilized by bodybuilders for building muscle.
L-arginine Benefits Related to Heart Functions:
Today, around 85.6 million Americans suffer from some type of cardiovascular disease. Arginine has been shown to be a vasodilator, which means it opens (dilates) blood vessels and may aid in the treatment of angina and heart block. Symptoms of clogged arteries, such as chest discomfort or angina, and coronary artery illness might be improved by this.
L-arginine has the ability to prevent heart damage by protecting it from oxidative stress, which is caused by various factors. As in cases of angina, L-arginine may help prevent the heart from suffering damages due to oxidants. According to studies, L-arginine might decrease chest pain and improve quality of life in people with a mild to severe form of this type of chest discomfort.
L-arginine can also help with symptoms and effects of elevated blood pressure (hypertension). Oral L-arginine has been found in studies to lower blood pressure in normal individuals and those with a form of high blood pressure that affects the lungs’ arteries and the right side of the heart (pulmonary hypertension).
Infertility and sexual health, how L-arginine helps:
Reasearch into how L-arginine can help sexual health related conditions shows:
Erectile dysfunction; L-arginine supplementation has been shown in studies to enhance sexual activity in men with erectile dysfunction as a result of a physical cause.
Because it helps blood vessels relax, nitric oxide is vital for erectile function. Nitric Oxide helps to make sure more oxygen-rich blood can flow through your arteries. Healthy blood flow to the arteries that supply the penis is essential for normal erectile function.
L-arginine is credited with increasing nitric oxide levels and, as a result, relaxing the muscles surrounding blood vessels that supply the penis. As a result, blood vessels in the penis are able to properly dilate, increasing the blood flow, which is necessary to maintain an erection.
Female Fertility; L-arginine has been suggested as possibly improving blood flow to the uterus and ovaries. In women who don’t respond well to IVF treatment, L-arginine may boost ovarian response, endometrial receptivity, and pregnancy rates. L-arginine promotes optimal egg development by creating a more favorable environment for implantation of a fertilized egg, and it helps to enhance the likelihood of conception.
L-Arginine is required by the body to manufacture Nitric Oxide (NO). Increased NO levels may help to prevent uterine fertility problems such as fibroids, endometriosis, and PCOS by promoting optimal levels of inflammation throughout the menstrual cycle.
Supplements of L-Arginine have been found to increase blood flow to the ovaries. Cervical mucus is aided in production by increased blood flow to the reproductive organs. 1 in 20 women having fertility problems faces difficulties due to abnormal mucus production. Some women produce insufficient cervical mucus, while others generate mucus that is too thick for sperm to pass through. Improved blood circulation can help improve cervical mucus creation by promoting L-Arginine.
Male Fertility; taking a L-Arginine supplement on a daily basis has been shown in studies to boost sperm production in men. Taking L-Arginine can improve the mobility of sperm, allowing for increased chances of pregnancy among couples with low sperm mobility. L-Arginine may be used to enhance the quality of sperm during IVF treatment, increasing the probability of fertilization.
Side effects associated with L-arginine supplements
Any supplement you introduce to your body has the potential for side effects due to how your body reacts and how it reacts with other supplements or medications. L-arginine is a naturally occurring amino acid and as such possible side effects are very low, it is hoever beneficial to know the info on potential side effects so you can be best informed and able to deicde what is right for you.
Supplemental doses of three to eight grams per day of L-arginine are generally considered safe. Supplementation with more than nine grams per day of L-arginine could produce gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, and diarrhea in some people. Long-term, high-dose L-arginine use can also induce electrolyte imbalances in the blood.
Dividing the supplement dose throughout the day or using L-citrulline, a precursor to L-arginine, as a companion supplement with L-arginine might help reduce the incidence of these adverse effects.
L-arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid that may be acquired from food or supplements. Arginine supplements have been shown in studies to help with a variety of ailments, including cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and metabolic diseases. If you’re thinking about taking arginine supplement , talk to your integrative healthcare provider for personalized advice. Read about side effects of L-arginine.
