Arginine Molecular Structure
Arginine is an essential amino acid, meaning that it cannot be produced in the body at a rate commensurate with demand. Arginine benefits health by being the main precursor for nitric oxide which is key for maintaining blood pressure, immune and sexual function. Arginine deficiency has far reaching health implications but deficiency is often overlooked as a cause of disease. Scientists are only now looking at Arginine deficiency in relation to some common ailments as indicated by this 2022 quote from PubMed: “L-arginine, an endogenous amino acid, is a safe substance that can be found in food. The compound is involved in synthesis of various products responsible for regulatory functions in the body. Particularly noteworthy is, among others, nitric oxide, a signaling molecule regulating carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The increasing experimental and clinical data indicate that L-arginine supplementation may be helpful in managing disturbed metabolism in obesity, regulate arterial blood pressure or alleviate type 2 diabetes symptoms, but the mechanisms underlying these effects have not been sufficiently elucidated.”
If you have any type of Heart condition you may want to consider supplementing with Arginine as its role in Cardiovascular health is significant. Science Direct says: “In the cardiovascular system, exogenous l-arginine causes a rapid reduction in systolic and diastolic pressures when infused into healthy humans and patients with various forms of hypertension. Furthermore, oral l-arginine supplementation attenuates platelet reactivity and improves endothelial function in animal models of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. Clinical studies of l-arginine in humans have also been highly positive in improving endothelial dysfunction and even preventing restenosis after balloon angioplasty.”
There is a controversy regarding Arginine supplementation for those afflicted with the Herpes virus. It was believed that Arginine supplementation would increase Herpes virus replication however this has not been definitively proven in vivo. The other school of thought is that Arginine supplementation increases immune functions and Nitric Oxide levels (which is highly toxic to viruses), keeping the virus at bay. If you have any type of herpes virus and want to supplement with Arginine, please see my recommendation below about combining with Lysine.
The Health Benefits of Arginine:
AGING PROCESS
• May inhibit the Cross-Linking of proteins which is one of the foremost mechanisms of aging.
• Due to its ability to stimulate Nitric Oxide production, it may possess Life Extension properties.
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
• 6,000mg daily helps to improve Blood Circulation, Exercise Capacity and may improve symptoms in Angina patients.
• May help to prevent Atherosclerosis and reduce the severity of existing Atherosclerosis.
• Inhibits the adhesion of Monocytes to the Endothelium which is an underlying cause of Atherosclerosis.
• Due to its ability to increase Nitric Oxide levels, it reduces Blood Pressure and improves Blood Circulation by relaxing the Smooth Muscle in Blood Vessels.
• May help to prevent abnormal Blood Clotting.
• By increasing Nitric Oxide, it helps prevent Free Radical damage to Blood Vessels.
• 6,000 – 12,000mg per day significantly increases Stroke Volume and Cardiac Output in Congestive Heart Failure patients.
• Hemorrhoids may be alleviated by supplementation.
• 6,000mg daily can lower High Blood Pressure by enhancing Nitric Oxide (NO) production and also inhibiting Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE).
• Useful in the treatment of Preeclampsia, Intermittent Claudication, Sickle-Cell Anemia and Raynaud’s Disease.
• C-Reactive Protein levels can be reduced with supplementation.
• Helps reduces elevated Fibrinogen levels normalizing Blood Clotting.
• Supplementation helps lower elevated Homocysteine levels.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
• Deficiency may cause Constipation.
• Supplementation may reduce the incidence of Gallstones.
• Can help to prevent Gastric Ulcers.
• Intestinal Permeability may be reduced by supplementation.
• By promoting the healing of Ulcers, it helps with many of the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis.
EXCRETORY SYSTEM
• May be useful in the prevention and treatment of some type of Kidney Failure.
• The discomfort of Interstitial Cystitis may be alleviated by taking 1,500mg daily.
• Helps to improve Kidney Function and may prevent age-related degradation of the Kidneys.
HAIR
• Male Pattern Baldness may be caused by a deficiency. Applied directly to the scalp is claimed to facilitate Hair Regrowth by stimulating circulation to the scalp.
HEARING
• May enhance the function of outer Hair Cells in the Organ of Corti.
• Certain types of Deafness may be alleviated by supplementation, as it aids in the lengthening of outer Hair Cells.
• Can help to prevent or alleviate Noise-Induced Hearing Loss.
IMMUNE SYSTEM
• In persons with compromised Immune Systems, supplementation may help to prevent Bacterial and Viral Infections.
• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome patients may experience improved immunity with supplementation and it may help to prevent Cachexia.
• Arginine may help to inhibit the replication of 24 different type of cancers including:
▪ Breast
▪ Colon
▪ Kidney
▪ Liver
▪ Sarcomas
• It has been speculated that Arginine may exacerbate some type of cancer but this has not been proven. These speculations are based on its ability to increase Human Growth Hormone. Given that Exercise also increases Human Growth Hormone and is beneficial against cancer, this argument is specious.
• Helps to stimulate the production and activity of Helper T-Cells, Lymphocytes, NK Cells and T-Lymphocytes.
• 1,000-5,000mg of daily may increase the size of the Thymus gland and restore Thymic Hormones to a more youthful level.
• Helps to counteract inflammation.
• Mortality in Malaria patients may be reduced by supplementation.
• Recovery from Surgery is enhanced by supplementation.
METABOLISM
• Alkalosis can occur from deficiency.
• Possesses Antioxidant properties that scavenge Superoxide Free Radicals.
• Can lower total serum Cholesterol, Triglycerides and LDL Cholesterol levels and may also inhibit LDL oxidation.
• Cirrhosis may be prevented and or alleviated by supplementation.
• Can reduce Insulin Resistance.
• Reduces Exercise induced buildup of Lactic Acid and Ammonia.
• Increases the production of Nitric Oxide which increases circulation to the Lungs and thus may improve Oxygen Uptake in persons with Hypoxia and or Altitude Sickness.
• By stimulating the release of human Growth Hormone from the Pituitary, it may be useful in helping to stimulate Weight Loss when used in conjunction with Exercise.
• Increases the production of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) and Cyclic GMP but not to excessive levels.
• May lower elevated Homocysteine levels.
• Enhances the metabolism of dietary fats.
MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
• 10,000mg daily helps facilitate the healing of Fractures by increasing Nitric Oxide.
• Facilitates Muscle Growth by inhibiting is loss and increasing human Growth Hormone.
• Muscle Weakness may be caused by deficiency.
• Enhances the production and activity of Osteoblasts (bone building cells) and prevents bone reabsorption by inhibiting Osteoclasts. Thus, it may be useful in the treatment of Osteoporosis.
• Relaxes Smooth Muscle by increasing Nitric Oxide.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
• May be useful in the treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome.
• By increasing Polyamine levels, it helps to repair damaged Axons caused by Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Combined with Lysine may reduce Stress-Induced Anxiety.
• By stimulating Nitric Oxide (a Neurotransmitter responsible for Long-Term Memory potentiation), it helps to preserve Long-Term Memory.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
• Because of its role in Nitric Oxide production, it is useful in the treatment of Asthma.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) patients may benefit from supplementation.
• May accelerate the recovery from Tuberculosis.
SEXUAL SYSTEM
• 2,800mg daily may help to alleviate Male Impotence due to its ability to enhance Nitric Oxide production.
• Helps to alleviate Male Infertility by increasing Sperm Count and Motility.
• The Fibrosis that occurs in Peyronie’s Disease may be reversed by supplementation.
• Both Male and Female Libido may be enhanced by supplementation.
• Female Sexual Performance may be improved by supplementation due to increased circulation to the Clitoris.
• Combined with N-Acetyl-Cysteine, it may improve the condition of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome patients.
• Testicular Atrophy can result from a deficiency.
SKIN
• Helps facilitate the healing of Ulcers.
• Applied topically, helps alleviate Dry Skin and Ulcers.
• Stimulates the production of Skin Cells.
• The healing of Burns may be accelerated by supplementation.
• By stimulating the release of Growth Hormone, production of Collagen and Skin Cells, it accelerates the healing of Wounds.
• Helps to decrease the recovery time from Surgery.
TOXINS
• Helps the body to rid itself of excess Ammonia.
• Reduces Exercise-induced buildup of Lactic Acid.
• May inhibit the ability of Cyclosporine to damage the Kidneys.
• Reduces the ability of Prednisone to suppress the Immune System.
• Limits the ability of Alcohol to cause Gastric Ulcers and Cirrhosis.
• May limit the ability of Tobacco smoking to cause Atherosclerosis.
• Counteracts the toxicity of inorganic Germanium.
Arginine Supplementation Enhances Circulation
USAGE
Arginine is best taken on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes prior to meals. Due to its short lifespan, the total daily dosage of Arginine should be divided equally throughout the day. Taking Arginine with fruit juice after exercise (to enhance Growth Hormone production) may improve its absorption. When using Arginine to stimulate Growth Hormone release, combine with an equal amount of Lysine. Medically monitored patients have consumed daily dosages of Arginine of up to 60 grams per day with no adverse effects but most experts advise not to exceed 30 grams per day. The usual dose of Arginine to enhance Male Sexual Function is 5,000mg 45 minutes prior to sexual activity.
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
• Do not use Arginine if you are taking nitrates for angina/chest pain as it may cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
• Consult your physician before using Arginine if you have any type of Cancer.
• When supplementing with Arginine, people with any form of Herpes should always combine with an equal amount of Lysine.
• Schizophrenia patients should not supplement with Arginine.
• Do not supplement with Arginine if you are Pregnant.
• Use Arginine with caution if combining with any type of Erectile Dysfunction medication.
My Personal Recommendations:
Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutaric Acid
(Arginine AKG)
Arginine AKG is a combination of Arginine and Alpha-Ketoglutaric Acid. The benefit of this compound is that it provides for a more sustained release of Arginine which promotes more even blood levels of Nitric Oxide. Additionally, Alpha-Ketoglutaric Acid is intimately involved in the Krebs Cycle which may enhance energy production. This makes Arginine AKG an excellent choice for bodybuilders.
Arginine AKG – Powder (Unflavored)
If you are supplementing with Arginine to increase hGH (Growth Hormone), best results are obtained by combining with Ornithine in a 2:1 ratio, two parts Arginine to one part Ornithine.
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