- Promotes Healing
- Improves Blood Flow
- Helps remove waste from Body
What is L-Arginine Base?
L-arginine is an amino acid that has numerous functions in the body. It
helps the body get rid of ammonia (a waste product), is used to make
compounds in the body such creatine, L-glutamate, and L-proline, and
can be converted to glucose and glycogen if needed.
L-arginine is used to make the nitric oxide, a compound in the body
that relaxes blood vessels. Preliminary studies have found that
L-arginine may help with conditions that improve when blood vessels are
relaxed (called vasodilation), such as atherosclerosis, erectile
dysfunction, and intermittent claudication. L-arginine is also involved
in protein formation. In larger amounts, L-arginine stimulates the
release of hormones growth hormone and prolactin.
Why Do People Use L-Arginine?
Heart disease
In the body, L-arginine is used to make nitric oxide, which reduces
blood vessel stiffness, increases blood flow, and improves blood vessel
function.
Erectile Dysfunction
L-arginine has been used for erectile dysfunction. Like the drug
sildenafil citrate (Viagra), L-arginine is thought to enhance the
action of nitric oxide, which relaxes muscles surrounding blood vessels
supplying the penis. As a result, blood vessels in the penis dilate,
increasing blood flow, which helps maintain an erection. The difference
in how they work is that Viagra blocks an enzyme called PDE5 which
destroys nitric oxide and L-arginine is used to make nitric oxide.
In one study, 50 men with erectile dysfunction took either 5 grams of
L-arginine per day or a placebo. After six weeks, more men in the
L-arginine group had an improvement compared to those taking the
placebo.
Unlike Viagra, L-arginine must be taken daily.
Wound healing
L-arginine's possible activity in wound repair may be due to its role
in the formation of L-proline, an important amino acid that is
essential for the synthesis of collagen.
Other Conditions
L-arginine is also used for high blood pressure, migraines, sexual
dysfunction in women, intermittent claudication, and interstitial
cystitis.
Sources of L-Arginine
L-arginine is conditionally essential, which means that the body
normally has enough. It's produced in the kidney and to a lesser
extent, in the liver.
Food sources of L-arginine include plant and animal proteins, such as
dairy products, meat, poultry, fish, and nuts. The ratio of L-arginine
to lysine is also important - soy and other plant proteins have more
L-arginine than animal sources of protein.
Severe burns, infections, and injuries can deplete the body's supply of
arginine. Under these conditions, L-arginine becomes essential and it
is necessary to ensure proper intake to meet the increased demands.
L-arginine is also essential for children with rare genetic disorders
that impair the formation of L-arginine.
Dose:
3-5 Grams a day
