What Foods Contain Arginine?

The human body is constantly using nutrients. One of these is a nonessential protein, or amino acid) called arginine. The body requires 22 different amino acids, with nine are considered essential, which means you cannot synthesize them within the body and must obtain them from food. The other 13 are nonessential, which means you can synthesize them within the body and obtain them from food. Every day, our body uses protein from the food we eat.

Features
Arginine is found in certain foods or can be taken in supplement form. Arginine is known to be used for a variety of health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, migraine headache, weight loss and diabetes. It can also boost the body's ability to fight disease. Arginine is also considered a semi-essential amino acid, and sometimes supplementation is needed. For example, anyone who has protein malnutrition, burns, or infections do not get enough arginine, which is needed for the body to repair or function properly.

Types
Even though the body produces all the arginine it needs in most cases, a variety of foods that contain significant sources of arginine. Arginine is mainly found in foods like dairy products, meat, poultry and fish. However, arginine is also found in carob, chocolate, coconut, oats, nuts, wheat, and wheat germ. If you eat a whole-wheat carrot/raisin/nut muffin with a glass of milk, you will have consumed a healthy amount of arginine.

Considerations
Including a wide variety of foods that contain arginine in your diet will aid in muscle metabolism, which encourages fat loss because of arginine's role in the transport, storage, and elimination of nitrogen in the body. It has also been found that arginine can enhance energy and endurance because it is a precursor to nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels and may increase oxygen levels or flow to the heart.

Warning
Although arginine is a naturally occurring amino acid in the body and is widely available from food, it is important to note that arginine should not be consumed or supplemented by diabetics (unless under a doctor's supervision) because of the insulin-blocking effects.