L-Arginine is a type of amino acid that is considered semi-essential. Amino acids are small compounds that are strung together in various formations to create different types of protein. L-Arginine is not vital to most people's diets, but in cases of protein malnutrition, burns, infections, excessive ammonia production and other conditions, it may be necessary to try and consume L-arginine through various foods, according to MayoClinic.com.
Significance
L-arginine -- also called arginine -- is found in many different foods, but it is also produced naturally by the body. For this reason, many people do not need to supplement their bodies in any way or make extra efforts to provide adequate L-arginine through diet. However, it is sometimes used as a treatment for conditions such as metabolic ketosis and benefits the health of your heart and cardiovascular system.
Blood Pressure Effects
According to MayoClinic.com, L-arginine may help protect against and lower high blood pressure because of its nitric oxide content. The arteries in your body release nitric oxide in an effort to widen the canals and improve blood flow. By providing nitric oxide to the arteries, L-arginine can in theory improve the health of your arteries and dilate them, lowering blood pressure. Since there is no conclusive evidence of this, however, you should consult your physician regarding treatment for high blood pressure.
Animal Foods
According to DietaryFiberFood.com, the single best source of L-arginine in animal products is found in light tuna canned in oil. This food boasts 1.74 g of the protein per 100 g of food. Raw chicken giblets and raw Atlantic salmon are tied for a distant second with only 1.19 g per 100 g of food. Other good sources of the amino acid in animal foods include shrimp, eggs and whole milk.
Plant Foods
There are many beneficial plant food sources of L-arginine, according to DietaryFiberFood.com. Spanish peanuts have the highest L-arginine content of any food, with 3.13 g per 100 g of food. Regular peanuts are next, followed by almonds, sunflower seeds, English walnuts and hazelnuts. Raw lentils, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, pistachios and flax seed are other good options.
Warnings
According to MayoClinic.com, some individuals do have an allergy to L-arginine that can cause an intense allergic reaction. When taken in large doses, L-arginine can also cause stomach pains and other disruptions of the digestive tract. In addition, it is not recommended that pregnant or nursing women seek out L-arginine as a supplement, although they are safe to consume it in low doses through natural foods.
Member Comments