Arginine or L-arginine is an amino acid that the body produces, but it's also found in many foods. Though your body usually makes enough arginine on its own, some people may need extra supplementation. L-arginine is necessary in the creation of urea, a waste product that removes toxins from the body, and creatine, which is essential to the function of the kidneys, according to the MayoClinic.com. The MayoClinic.com further states that arginine aids in blood vessel relaxation and may help treat chest pain, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, heart failure and vascular headaches. It has been studied for wound healing, muscle growth and enhanced sperm production, and can be used to treat metabolic alkalosis under a doctor's supervision.
Vegetables
Arginine is found in a variety of leafy greens, especially spinach. It's also found in sprouted mung beans, French beans, seaweed, garlic and onions.
Nuts and Legumes
Sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, almonds, pine nuts, watermelon seeds, pecans and Brazil nuts all contain arginine. So do tofu, soy protein and lentils, as well as peanuts and peanut flour.
Dairy and Eggs
Eggs, both whites and yolks, contain L-arginine. Arginine is also found in milk, so any dairy product contains it in varying amounts.
Seafood
Mollusks such as clam, cuttlefish, whelk and octopus all contain high levels of arginine. So do seal, whale, cod, sea lion, lobster and mixed species of whitefish.
Meat
Red meat and poultry products that contain the highest amounts of arginine include beef, pork, bison, chicken, mutton, turkey and veal. It's also found in gelatin, a beef/pork byproduct.
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