Common Name: L-Arginine
Synonyms: arginine hydrochloride, arginine

Overview:

Arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid. The body under normal circumstances makes all the arginine that it needs. In periods of stress, the body’s need for arginine outstrips its ability to produce it. Some of theses stressors include surgery, trauma, and severe burns. Because of this increased demand for arginine, it is important to supplement arginine to ensure that the body has an adequate supply. Most of the L-arginine is synthesized in the kidneys. From there the amino acid enters the circulation and is metabolized into cellular energy throughout the body.

Although not an essential amino acid, arginine is extremely important in many physiological functions in the body. These include:

1. The detoxification of ammonia produced in the urea cycle.
2. Its role as a precursor to nitric oxide, creatine, and L-glutamate, L-proline, agmatin (a neurotransmitter).
3. Being able to convert to glucose and glycogen or into cellular energy as needed by the body.

Benefits

L-arginine has been subjected to intensive study and much of its abilities are linked to its role as a precursor of NO (nitric oxide). NO is produced by all tissues in the body and has a relaxing effect on the cardiovascular system. It is very important roles in the cardiovascular system, immune system, and the nervous system. It is also a precursor of L-proline a key element in collagen synthesis.

There are many studies on L-arginine that show it has great promise in several areas of health and healing.

1. Studies have shown that oral doses of L-arginine have induced the release of HGH (human growth hormone) and prolactin
2. Many in vitro (in the lab) have shown that L-arginine effects endothelial cells that such a way as to prevent cardiovascular disease. This studies have been confirmed in both animal and clinical studies. In animal models, L-arginine has normalized lipids and vasodilatory response, inhibited the formation of aggregates and arterial plaques. There has also been evidence that L-arginine can even cause pre-existing plaques to become smaller.

These findings have also been seen in people with elevated lipid levels and high blood pressure. In a recent long term study, supplemental arginine given over a six month period, significant improvement was seen in cardiovascular functioning.

1. People with angina also showed a significant improvement in their ability in angina attacks and an improved exercise capacity.
2. L-arginine has long been successfully used as a supplement following trauma and infections. Studies have shown that by improving the nitrogen balance, L-arginine has been helpful in trauma and post surgical situations by inhibiting post-injury weight loss and to speed up the healing process. This leads to much shorter hospital stays. This ability of L-arginine to prevent weight loss has also been seen in HIV infected patients. L-arginine not only prevented a loss of weight in these people but actually caused them to gain weight.
3. Several studies have concluded that L-arginine improves the host immunity if many conditions including some cancers.
4. Still other studies have shown that supplementation with arginine has improve sexual functioning in both men and women.

Recommended Dosage:

For cardiovascular health, 8-21gms are taken in divided doses daily
For improved sexual function, 5gms daily

Doses of up to 15gms are usually well tolerated. Nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea may be experienced in doses over 15gms.

Precautions

1. Supplemental L-arginine should not be used by those with the genetic disorder arginemia (a rare genetic defect that causes a build up of arginine and ammonia in the blood) .
2. The herpes simplex virus is rich in L-arginine. It has been suggested that those who suffer from cold sores (oral herpes) should avoid arginine supplements as they may aggravate the situation.
3. L-arginine with cyclosporins may counteract the antinaturetic effect of this drug.
4. Taking L-arginine with ibuprofen may increase the absorption of that drug.
5. L-arginine taking with sildenafil citrate ( for erectile dysfunction) may increase the effectiveness of this medication.
6. L-arginine taken with the herb yohimbe may enhance the effect of this herb

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid the use of L-arginine. This is because of the possibility of stimulating the release of HGH. The affects of this supplement has not been tested on children and those suffering from liver or kidney disease. It is recommended that in children and people with liver or kidney disease this supplementation not be used.

Web References

1. http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=e0498803-7f62-4563-8d47-5fe33da65dd4&chunkiid=21509
2. http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/lar_0024.shtml

Printed Reference Material

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6. Brandes RP, Brandes S, Boger RH, et al. L-Arginine supplementation in hypercholesterolemic rabbits normalizes leukocyte adhesion to non-endothelial matrix. Life Sci. 2000; 66:1519-1524.
7. Cartledge JJ, Davies A-M, Eardley I. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial of the efficacy of L-arginine in the treatment of interstitial cystitis. BJU Int. 2000; 85:421-426.
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10. Chowienczyk, Phil and Jim Ritter. "Arginine: NO more than a simple amino acid?" The Lancet 27 (September 1997).
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19. Marandino, Cristin. "Taking Heart." Vegetarian Times (November 1999).
20. Pessarosa, A.; Dazzi, D.; Negro, C.; Cebigni, C.; Vescovi, P. P. "Effects of Alcohol Consumption and Accompanying Diet on Metabolic Response to Arginine in Chronic Alcoholics." Journal of Studies on Alcohol (September 1999).
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