How does arginine work

The reason for its popularity is twofold says Scott Forbes, a doctoral student in exercise physiology. Secondly, L-arginine has been shown to increase growth hormone levels in the blood. The benefits of growth hormone are diverse, including increasing the use of fat as a fuel as well as insulin and insulin-growth factor-1 IGF-1 levels.

However, most of the research conducted on L-arginine has been in a clinical setting and the benefits for physically active individuals are not as established. In some cases they are conflicting. For Forbes it was a theory worth testing — and he wanted to test two different L-arginine doses on healthy, athletic men — the group most likely to purchase this readily-available supplement.

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Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. What is L-arginine? Because L-arginine has so many critical roles in your body, a deficiency in this amino acid can disrupt cellular and organ function and lead to serious adverse health outcomes 2.

L-arginine is produced in several ways. It can be synthesized from the amino acid citrulline through the breakdown of body proteins, or it can be obtained through dietary protein intake 2. 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. L-arginine supplements are taken by many populations, including athletes and those who have certain medical conditions like high blood pressure, for a variety of reasons.

Research has shown that L-arginine may offer a variety of potential benefits when used as a supplement. However, results are mixed, and L-arginine may not be as effective for some conditions as many supplement companies claim. Limited evidence suggests that L-arginine supplements may enhance exercise performance by increasing nitric oxide in the body, which improves blood flow and oxygenation to muscles. For example, a randomized study in 56 male soccer players found that treatment with 2 grams of L-arginine daily for 45 days significantly increased sport performance, compared with a placebo group 6.

Another small study in 9 men demonstrated that those who drank a beverage containing 6 grams of L-arginine 1 hour before intense exercise had significantly increased blood levels of nitric oxide and were able to exercise longer, compared with a placebo group 7.

However, most studies investigating this relationship have found that L-arginine is not beneficial for improving athletic performance 8 , 9 , 10 , L-arginine supplements may benefit those with high blood pressure.

Studies have shown that taking L-arginine supplements may help lower both your systolic the top number and diastolic the bottom number blood pressure readings. L-arginine is needed for the production of nitric oxide, which is necessary for the relaxation of the cells that make up blood vessels, as well as blood pressure regulation.

A review of 7 studies found that supplementing with L-arginine by both oral and intravenous IV administration significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adults with high blood pressure by up to 5.

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. Arginine depletion during critical illness or after surgery leads to serious adverse effects, including impaired immune function and blood flow.

To avoid these potential complications, arginine supplements are used frequently in the clinical setting to treat a variety of conditions. For example, oral or IV arginine is commonly used to treat serious infections like necrotizing enterocolitis in infants, cases of sepsis, burns, chronic disease, and wounds, as well as in pre- and post-surgical and trauma patients 5 , Research shows that L-arginine may benefit those with diabetes by improving glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity L-arginine is needed for the production of nitric oxide.

Therefore, increasing nitric oxide availability may help enhance the function of cells that secrete insulin and help your body use blood sugar more efficiently. Some research has shown that long-term treatment with L-arginine supplements may prevent diabetes in at-risk populations A study in people with impaired blood sugar regulation found that treatment with 6. In addition to the potential benefits listed above, some research suggests that L-arginine supplements may be helpful when used in the following ways:.

This list is not exhaustive, and L-arginine has been studied for its potential beneficial effects on various conditions, including obesity, heart disease, cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS , infertility, and anxiety, either used on its own or in combination with other supplements.

However, research on the effects of L-arginine in people with these and many other conditions is limited and inconclusive, highlighting the need for future studies 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. 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 However, it can cause unpleasant side effects, including bloating , abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea, especially when taken in large doses of 9 grams or more per day 1.

Yet, one day study in adults demonstrated that a daily dose of up to 30 grams was well tolerated and not associated with any adverse effects, suggesting that even very high doses of L-arginine are usually safe, at least in the short term Even though they have a strong safety profile, arginine supplements should be avoided by certain populations.