L-Arginine is an amino acid
that has a
benefit in numerous
areas of human biochemistry, including ammonia detoxification, hormone
secretion, and the immune system. L Arginine is also of benefit as a precursor to
nitric oxide, a key component of endothelial-derived relaxing factor. The
endothelium is the lining inside blood vessels and l arginine supplements help
make more nitric oxide. Therefore, l arginine, by making more nitric oxide, helps to relax and
dilate blood vessels.
Nitric oxide is a messenger molecule involved in a variety of endothelium-dependent
effects in the cardiovascular system. Because of the benefit of l arginine with nitric
oxide production, it may potentially be useful in hypertension, preeclampsia, intermittent claudication, and erectile dysfunction.
Even though l arginine has been
claimed to be useful for
some of the conditions listed above, it would be premature to be overly excited.
Much research needs to be done before we
can be more confident about l arginine benefit potential. However, so far, l arginine
appears to have a role to play in conditions involving blood vessel dilation.
Whether the dilation is short lived or continues for an adequate period is still
being evaluated. L Arginine does not appear to be helpful as a supplement taken by
those who have suffered a heart attack. The limiting factor in the benefit of
arginine as a supplement is that the conversion to nitric oxide may be short
lived.
As to l arginine and erectile function, see below. If you have an interest in
l arginine as a sexual enhancer, consider Passion Rx instead which is
very
effective. Passion Rx does not have l arginine.
L Arginine supplement 750 mg, 60 Capsules
L Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid synthesized by the body from ornithine. Arginine supports protein synthesis as it is involved in the transport and
storage of nitrogen. Among many functions, L Arginine is used by the body to produce creatine. Each
arginine supplement tablet contains 750
mg elemental L Arginine.
Usage: Take 1 to 6 arginine supplement tablets daily, or as directed by your qualified health consultant.
Click here to buy L-Arginine capsule or Powder, or Passion Rx
L Arginine benefit for Erectile Dysfunction?
One of the more popular supplements found in sexual
enhancement products is L-arginine. What makes l-arginine
interesting is that it can
be metabolized to nitric oxide (NO). NO is the most powerful chemical known to dilate and
engorge blood vessels in the penis and clitoris. What does the research say
about the role of arginine in
erectile dysfunction?
If you wish to improve sexual function, consider
Passion Rx
A
Low dose of l arginine supplement, at 500 mg three times a day, has not been found to
benefit impotence.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 50 men with erectile
dysfunction tested l arginine at a dose of 5 grams per day for six weeks. About a
third of the participants who received l arginine showed benefit, and that
improvement was greater than the 10% improvement seen in the placebo group.
The amino acid L Arginine has been studied in combination with other nutrients as a treatment for sexual dysfunction in women. A small trial found some benefit with a combination treatment providing a daily dose of 2,500 mg of l arginine, as well as ginseng, Ginkgo, and Damiana. In a four-week, double-blind study, 77 women with decreased libido were given either the combination product or a placebo. Those taking the l-arginine blend showed statistically greater benefit, reporting increased sexual desire in 71% of participants given the treatment. In the placebo group, 42% reported an increased libido.
A study done at the University of Texas at Austin examined l arginine benefit, combined with yohimbine, on sexual arousal in postmenopausal women. Twenty-four women participated in three sessions in which sexual responses to erotic stimuli were measured following treatment with either l-arginine glutamate (6 g) plus yohimbine (6 mg), yohimbine alone (6 mg), or a placebo, using a randomized, double-blind design. Sexual responses were measured at one hour after taking the supplements. Compared to placebo, the combined oral administration of l-arginine and yohimbine increased vaginal pulse amplitude responses to the erotic film. It is well known that yohimbine, alone, has a significant benefit on sexuality and whether l-arginine is not clear.
Mechanism of Action of the amino acid L
arginine
The most likely explanation for the mild benefit of l arginine is its conversion
into nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is
converted into cGMP, which becomes the secondary messenger that causes smooth
muscle relaxation, resulting in more blood going into the genital organs, which
leads to erections. However, nitric oxide is quickly metabolized and any
potential l arginine benefit could be short lived.
Potential L Arginine
benefit
There is some supporting evidence that l arginine benefits by reducing
angina and lowering blood pressure. Research
indicates supplemental l-arginine reduces pulmonary resistance and blood pressure.
L-Arginine supplementation beenfits renal function in patients with chronic
heart failure.
Oral L-arginine benefits endothelial function in
older healthy individuals. However, we are not convinced yet that l-arginine is a
worthwhile supplement for erectile function or sexual enhancement, at least in
low dosages.
L-Arginine benefit for Heart Failure
L-arginine supplementation may benefit the
physical fitness of heart failure patients by enhancing their endurance to
exercise.
NAC and L arginine benefit for
high blood pressure
Long-term N-acetylcysteine and L-arginine administration reduces endothelial
activation and systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients with type 2
diabetes.
Diabetes Care. 2008 May; Martina V, Masha A, Gigliardi VR, Brocato L,
Manzato E, Berchio A, Massarenti P, Settanni F, Della Casa L, Bergamini S,
Iannone A.
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Torino, Corso Dogliotti 14,
I-10121 Torino, Italy.
We tested the effects of l-arginine and N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
administration in increasing NO bioavailability by reducing free radical
formation. A double-blind study was performed on 24 male patients with type 2
diabetes and hypertension divided into two groups of 12 patients that randomly
received either an oral supplementation of placebo or NAC + arginine for 6
months. NAC + arginine treatment caused a reduction of both systolic and
diastolic mean arterial blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol,
oxidized LD, high-sensitive C-reactive protein, intracellular adhesion molecule,
vascular cell adhesion molecule, nitrotyrosine, fibrinogen, and plasminogen
activator inhibitor-1, and an improvement of the intima-media thickness during
endothelial postischemic vasodilation. HDL cholesterol increased. NAC + arginine
administration seems to be of benefit and well-tolerated antiatherogenic therapy
because it improves endothelial function in hypertensive patients with type 2
diabetes by improving NO bioavailability via reduction of oxidative stress and
increase of NO production.
Arginine Benefit for Sexual Enhancement
There are many potent herbs that have sexual enhancement properties.
L-Arginine is not on our top ten list of
aphrodisiac
supplements. We prefer the
combination of herbs found in Passion Rx.
L Arginine Benefit Research update,
hypertension
Effect of oral L arginine on blood pressure and symptoms and
endothelial function in patients with systemic hypertension, positive exercise
tests, and normal coronary arteries.
Am J Cardiol. 2004 Apr 1;93(7):933-5.
Thirteen hypertensive patients with microvascular angina were studied before
and after receiving oral L-arginine (4 weeks, 2 g, 3 times daily). L-arginine
was of benefit in angina class, systolic blood pressure at rest, and
quality of life. Maximal forearm blood flow, plasma L-arginine, L-arginine : asymmetric
dimethyl arginine ratio, and cyclic guanylate monophosphate increased
significantly after treatment. In medically treated hypertensive patients with
micro-vascular angina, oral L-arginine may provide some benefit.
Evaluation of the antihypertensive effect of L-arginine
supplementation in patients with mild hypertension assessed with ambulatory
blood pressure monitoring.
Med Sci Monit. 2010 Apr 28; Ast J, Jablecka A, Bogdanski P, Smolarek I,
Krauss H, Chmara E. Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Karol Marcinkowski
University of Medical Science, Poznan, Poland.
Arterial hypertension is one of the most important cardiovascular risk factors,
featuring the unsatisfactory efficacy of current therapies. The cardiovascular
disease paradigm which assumes a crucial role of the endothelial phenotype in
shaping the state of the circulatory system has become increasingly dominant and
endothelial dysfunction should be treated as avidly as the diseases of other
organs. The most valued current anti-hypertensive therapies exert a positive
influence on the endothelium due to their pleiotropic effects, but the search
for new effective strategies aimed at improving endothelial function is
underway. L-arginine trials are part of this quest. The few L-arginine studies
in hypertension have brought inconclusive results. The aim of this study was to
evaluate the anti-hypertensive efficacy and safety profile of L- arginine during
four weeks of oral supplementation to healthy subjects and patients diagnosed
with primary mild hypertension. The study was completed by 54 participants.
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was used to allot patients to either
a healthy control group (19 subjects) or the hypertensive treatment group (35
patients). Later the patients were randomized to either L-arginine (2 or 4 g
three times daily or placebo. All participants underwent physical examination
and had all basic lab tests and ABPM performed. Blood pressure (both systolic
and diastolic) by ABPM showed statistically significant lowering after 4 weeks
of L-arginine supplementation only in the subgroup of patients treated with 12 g
of L-arginine daily, with a stronger hypotensive effect observed during the day.
The present findings demonstrate a strong association between L-arginine
supplementation and blood pressure reduction.
Arginine benefit emails
Q. Does l arginine benefit improve when taken as powder versus a capsule?
A. It depends on how much you plan to take. If your dose is 1 to 5 g, the capsule
works. If you plan to take more than 5 grams of arginine, then the powder is more efficient.